Business Owners
Helping to Simplify the Complex
You’re a business owner because you wanted to build something great. We respect that; Harris and Davis Financial Advisors is a family-owned business. Because of this, we have specific knowledge and experience in helping you attract the best and brightest employees, while working with you to figure out current and future steps for your business. Count on us to help you with the appropriate resources and benefits that allow you to attract and retain skilled, qualified employees. We also provide advice and recommendations to help reduce your tax burden.
Optimizing Business Retirement Strategies
We prioritize protecting business owners' main asset—their business—in retirement planning. Our diversified approach extends strategies to retirement planning, emphasizing personal connections. Leveraging the 8 drivers of company value, we ensure a thorough understanding and optimization of their business's worth.

Protect your Key Employees
As a business owner, your most important assets are your employees. In the same way that our most valuable assets – homes, cars, ability to earn income etc. should be insured against an unexpected loss, a key employee should be insured as well. The loss of a key employee can have a devastating effect on a small business. We can provide Life and Disability insurance strategies that will protect your company. These benefits can help with recruiting and paying a replacement, loss of earnings to the company. They can also help with redemption of stock or a salary continuation plan arrangement with the surviving family. We will help you to determine the right coverage to meet the needs
Solutions for Business Succession
After the death of a partner, that partners spouse or estate becomes rightful owner of their interest in the business. Their share of the business will be disbursed in the form of compensation or through their participation as an active partner in the business. By allowing us to help design a business succession strategy you will be able to facilitate the orderly transfer of the business interest should this ever happen. There is special planning strategies that we can put in place that will significantly lessen the burden on the remaining partner(s).
Calculate Your Freedom Point
Determine your freedom milestone: Identify the point at which you can step away from your business commitments without regret.
Defined Contribution Plans
Effective retirement plans help attract qualified employees, while keeping them with your company for a long time. Our knowledge includes setting up Simple IRAs or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans for your employees. We can also help you create a solo tax-advantage solo 401(k).
Profit Sharing and Comparability Plans
Profit-sharing plans can be a great way to compete against larger companies for prime employees. These plans can offer assets and tax-deferred growth. Comparability plans operate similarly, but help provide rewards to your loyal senior staff and key, hardworking employees.
Minimal Mindshare
"53 percent said they had given little to no attention to their transition plan at this point, even though three-quarters of respondents were age 51 or older."
Source: Biery, Mary Ellen.
"Study Shows Why Many Business Owners Can't Sell When They Want To."
Forbes, Feb 5th 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2017/02/05/these-8-stats-show-why-many-business-owners-cant-sell-when-they-want-to/?sh=30bd55a044bd March 20th, 2024
No Transition Plan
"88 percent had no written plan to transition from the current owner (this includes 66 percent who had no plan at all). This figure is consistent with other recent surveys, including PwC's recent survey of family-owned firms."
Source: Biery, Mary Ellen.
"Study Shows Why Many Business Owners Can't Sell When They Want To."
Forbes, Feb 5th 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2017/02/05/these-8-stats-show-why-many-business-owners-cant-sell-when-they-want-to/?sh=30bd55a044bd March 20th, 2024
Going It Alone
"80 percent had never sought advice about a transition."
Source: Biery, Mary Ellen.
"Study Shows Why Many Business Owners Can't Sell When They Want To."
Forbes, Feb 5th 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2017/02/05/these-8-stats-show-why-many-business-owners-cant-sell-when-they-want-to/?sh=30bd55a044bd March 20th, 2024
Lackadaisical About Future Financial Needs
"70 percent don’t know what after-tax income they need to support their lifestyle."
Source: Biery, Mary Ellen.
"Study Shows Why Many Business Owners Can't Sell When They Want To."
Forbes, Feb 5th 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2017/02/05/these-8-stats-show-why-many-business-owners-cant-sell-when-they-want-to/?sh=30bd55a044bd March 20th, 2024
Estate Exclusions
"Only 58 percent of those surveyed have an estate plan. And among those with estate plans:
- 69 percent said their estate plan doesn’t include an updated business value, and
- 65 percent said the estate plan doesn’t provide for the sale of the business."
Source: Biery, Mary Ellen.
"Study Shows Why Many Business Owners Can't Sell When They Want To."
Forbes, Feb 5th 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2017/02/05/these-8-stats-show-why-many-business-owners-cant-sell-when-they-want-to/?sh=30bd55a044bd March 20th, 2024
Unknown Value
"Two-thirds agreed that “Getting full value for my business to fund retirement or other business interests” was their top goal in the transition of the business, yet less than 40 percent had a formal valuation conducted in the last three years, and 65 percent have never had their financial statements audited."
Source: Biery, Mary Ellen.
"Study Shows Why Many Business Owners Can't Sell When They Want To."
Forbes, Feb 5th 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/sageworks/2017/02/05/these-8-stats-show-why-many-business-owners-cant-sell-when-they-want-to/?sh=30bd55a044bd March 20th, 2024
Get Your Complimentary E-Book Here
Contact Us
Contact Harris and Davis today to schedule your first consultation and begin moving toward your ideal future.
About Us
Harris and Davis is a trusted financial advisor who employs a risk-focused, educational approach for every client.
Our Team
Our team values your trust in us and works hard to sustain your confidence in our advice and educational objectives.