CLIENT STORY — BUSINESS SUCCESSION

From $4M to Retirement in 7 Years

A business owner approached our firm with a goal that felt out of reach: sell his company, minimize taxes, and retire comfortably within a decade. Through disciplined planning and strategic execution, we helped him achieve that goal three years ahead of schedule.

0 Starting AUM
0 Years to Goal
0 Return vs Benchmark
0 Tax Savings
Financial discovery meeting
01

Discovery & Financial Assessment

We conducted a comprehensive review of David's personal finances, business valuation, tax situation, and retirement goals. We identified that his net worth was 80% concentrated in a single illiquid asset — the business — creating significant risk.

Portfolio risk assessment and research
02

Risk Assessment & Diversification

Before the sale, we worked with David to diversify his liquid assets, establish appropriate insurance coverage, and create an emergency reserve. We coordinated with his CPA to begin Roth conversion strategies that would reduce his tax burden in the sale year.

Financial strategy planning session
03

Strategy Design & Sale Preparation

We assembled a team including a business broker, tax attorney, and M&A advisor. Together, we structured the sale as an installment sale with an IDGT, spreading capital gains over multiple years while transferring wealth to his children tax-efficiently. Total tax savings exceeded $850,000.

Ongoing portfolio monitoring and review
04

Implementation & Monitoring

After the sale closed, we invested the proceeds into a diversified portfolio generating $180,000 in annual income — exceeding David's target by 20%. Two years into retirement, his portfolio has outperformed his benchmark by 2.1% annually.

“Harrington & Co turned what felt like an impossible goal into a clear, actionable plan. They coordinated every piece — the business sale, the tax strategy, the investments — and I retired three years early with more income than I expected. I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

David Chen Harrington & Co Client — Business Succession & Retirement

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