Clearwater Capital Partners Hosts Succession & Exit Strategies for Business Owners

Hoffman Estates, IL – Clearwater Capital Partners welcomed business owners, family office leaders, and industry advisors on September 25, 2025, at Medinah Country Club for its exclusive “Business Succession & Exit Strategies for Company Owners” event. This gathering arrived at a critical moment for the business community. According to the Exit Planning Institute’s 2023 survey, 56% of business owners do not have a formal succession plan in place. Their latest State of Owner Readiness report further reveals that only 20–30% of businesses that go to market actually sell, leaving up to 80% of owners without a reliable path to harvest their wealth or create a smooth transition. These eye-opening statistics underscore the importance of proactive, comprehensive planning. More than half of business owners operate without formal succession strategies, and a significant share are unable to achieve their intended exit goals.

Beyond spotlighting the urgency these numbers imply, the event’s agenda promoted a broader vision for what succession planning can achieve. Thoughtful planning does more than prepare a business for sale: it can maximize company value, preserve family wealth, sustain jobs and company culture, reduce potential tax burdens, and help create operational continuity through generations. Attendees learned that, regardless of their personal exit timeframe, initiating these conversations early could be essential for mitigating risk, solidifying legacies, and fostering future growth.

The event featured three marquee panels:

• Demystifying the 3rd Party Process: Moderated by John Sleeting, Managing Partner of Family Office, with insights from leading legal, M&A, and private equity advisors.
• Perspectives of the Buyer: Providing a comprehensive look at what acquirers and investors seek, equipping owners for real-world negotiating and due diligence.
• The Human Capital Journey: Honest, actionable dialogue on leadership, post-exit identity, business culture, and family governance during transitions.

“Nothing shapes a family’s future like a business transition. At Clearwater, we believe thoughtful planning is essential because every decision will echo across generations,” said John Sleeting, Managing Partner of Family Office with Clearwater Capital Partners.

Valerie Hogan, Wealth Advisor for Family Office at Clearwater Capital Partners, added, “The best outcomes begin long before the deal. When owners align personal and financial goals, they can open the door to true legacy and options for those they care about most.”

Clearwater Capital Partners urges business owners to take the first step toward formal succession planning before urgency or circumstances force their hand. With most owners lacking a solid exit plan and so few businesses successfully changing hands, deliberate preparation can be the key to both protecting wealth and fulfilling personal and professional aspirations.

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