Most business owners assume they’ll exit their business on their own terms — after they’ve hit certain milestones, cleaned up the books, or reached that “magic number.”
But reality doesn’t always give us a heads-up.
As a CFP® and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), my team and I work with successful owners who want to protect what they’ve built, before life, health, or the market forces their hand.
That’s where the 5 D’s come in — the five most common ways business owners are forced into an unplanned transition:
The 5 D’s That Derail Owners
1. Death. It’s uncomfortable to think about, but a sudden passing of a partner or key owner can throw an entire company into legal and financial chaos — especially without a continuity plan in place. You don’t have to Google to far to find a story of a company who went through this…some that survived and some that didn’t.
2. Disability. A disabling illness or injury can leave an owner unable to run their business. Without operational systems or delegated leadership, value can disappear quickly.
3. Divorce. Personal relationships impact business value more than most realize. Divorce can lead to ownership disputes, financial strain, or even forced sales.
4. Disagreement. Business partners can hit breaking points — over direction, money, succession, or priorities. Without proper agreements, a falling-out can fracture value. Your legal docs are more than “an ounce of prevention”.
5. Distress. Market crashes, supply chain issues, or economic downturns (like COVID-19) can send businesses into a tailspin. If you’re not prepared, you may have no good options left. When the wind is at your back and your sails are full, it’s best to prepare for a time when they may turn into strong headwinds.
You Can’t Predict the 5 D’s — But You Can Prepare for Them
You don’t need to be ready to sell your business today. But you do need to be structurally and personally ready in case one of these D’s shows up tomorrow.
That means:
These steps won’t just protect your company — they’ll make it more attractive to future buyers, too.
A Better Question Than “When Will I Exit?”
Many business owners obsess over timing the market. But the better question is:
“Is my business — and my life — ready if the unexpected happened?”
Because if you’re only focused on growth, and not readiness, you could be building something valuable… that’s still vulnerable.
Exit planning isn’t just about what happens at the end. It’s about creating freedom, flexibility, and options along the way.
Want to see how these five disruptors could impact your exit readiness?
👉 [Download our free infographic: “The 5 D’s That Derail Business Owners”]
It’s a simple, visual tool we use with clients to begin meaningful conversations — and highlight blind spots most owners never see coming.
Let’s Talk…
If you’re curious where you stand today — or want to reduce your exposure to one or more of the 5 D’s — let’s connect. A short, no-pressure conversation can help you spot gaps and create a plan that supports your business and your life goals.
Because the goal isn’t to rush your exit. The goal is to stay in control, no matter what comes next.
📥 Free Download: The 5 D’s of Exit Planning — Visual Guide
![[Download our free infographic: “The 5 D’s That Derail Business Owners”]](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/599610933f1ad60001cca12f/6887c5102935055bf685b20d_The%205%20Ds-THUMB.png){kind=link}