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The Missing Piece in Most Exit Strategies
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Adam Koós joins legacy coach Angelina Carleton on her show to explore one of the most overlooked (yet critical) parts of building and exiting a business: defining what legacy really means.
Too often, business owners wait until the last minute to plan their exit, focusing only on financials or legal documents while avoiding the deeper, more personal side of what they’ll leave behind. Adam shares insights from 23 years of experience helping clients navigate business transitions, and why legacy planning starts long before you list your company for sale.
They discuss how values, identity, and clarity impact decision-making, why some advisors and attorneys struggle to have real conversations about mortality and legacy, and what business owners can do now to ensure their exit aligns with their life - not just their bank account.
Whether you're 2 years or 10 years away from selling, this episode is a powerful reminder that strategy is only part of the equation. Legacy is built by design.
⏱️ Episode Timestamps:
00:00 – Introducing Adam Koós + Today’s Topic 01:25 – Why Most Owners Avoid Planning Their Exit 03:05 – The Role of Mortality in Business Planning 05:00 – What Legacy Really Means (It’s Not a Will) 07:20 – Bridging the Gap Between Head and Heart 10:00 – Why Most Advisors Skip the Deeper Conversations 12:45 – The Cost of Misalignment in Business Transitions 15:30 – Designing a Life (and Business) That Reflects Your Values 18:10 – Why Exit Planning Is a Human Problem, Not Just a Financial One 21:00 – What a Purpose-Driven Exit Strategy Looks Like 25:00 – Advice for Business Owners Starting the Process 29:00 – Final Thoughts on Legacy, Fulfillment, and Intentional Planning
Key Takeaways:
- Legacy planning isn’t legal paperwork. It’s the intentional process of aligning your exit with your values, identity, and long-term vision.
- Most owners wait too long. Avoidance and fear of mortality prevent critical conversations that shape a meaningful legacy.
- Exit planning is human work. It’s not just financial or strategic—it’s emotional, relational, and deeply personal.
- Values shape decisions. When you lead with purpose, you build a company (and exit plan) that reflects what matters most.
- Start earlier than you think. Even if you’re years away from selling, legacy work begins long before the paperwork.
Key Quotes from Adam Koós:
"You can’t build a meaningful exit plan if you haven’t defined what you want your life to look like on the other side."
"It’s not about what you’re walking away from—it’s about what you’re walking into."
"Legacy is built by design. If you don’t define it, someone else will."
"Financials are only half the equation. The other half is purpose."
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