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The Modern Entrepreneur Blog

Expert perspectives on financial planning, wealth management, and strategic advice for business owners.

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Financial insights for business owners.

Practical guidance on tax planning, investment strategy, and building lasting wealth.

August 21, 2026

Why Deals Collapse After the LOI Is Signed

Deals collapse after the LOI is signed primarily because due diligence surfaces what the confidential information memorandum did not.

August 20, 2026

Your Payroll, Not the IRS Limits, Picks Your Retirement Plan

The short answer: For most small businesses , the right retirement plan is the one your payroll can sustain when cash flow tightens - not just when business is strong.

August 19, 2026

The Working-Capital Peg That Quietly Shrinks Your Sale Check

The working-capital peg is a contractual adjustment mechanism in a business sale that compares your company's actual net working capital at closing to an agreed-upon target - usually the trailing 12-month average.

August 18, 2026

When Your Business Won't Sell and You Still Need to Retire

Yes, you can retire even if the business doesn't sell - but it requires shifting the plan from "wait for sale proceeds" to "build income that doesn't depend on the sale." That typically means maximizing retirement account contributions while you're still running the business,...

August 17, 2026

Is Your Business Big Enough for Private Equity to Care?

The short answer: Most private equity firms look seriously at businesses with at least $750,000 to $1 million in annual EBITDA , and a genuinely competitive multi-buyer process typically requires $2 million or more. But EBITDA threshold alone is not the full answer.

August 14, 2026

How Much Salary Should an S-Corp Owner Pay Themselves

An S-Corp owner should pay themselves a salary equal to what they would pay a qualified employee to perform their exact job - no more, no less.

August 12, 2026

How Long Selling a Business Really Takes, Start to Close

Most business sales take 18 months to 3 years from the decision to sell to money in the bank. The national average from listing to closing is roughly 9 months - but that ignores the 12 to 24 months of preparation that should happen before a business goes to market.

August 10, 2026

Buyers Pay Less When a Company Can't Run Without You

The short answer: When a business can't operate without its owner, buyers pay less - typically leaving 15% to 40% on the table compared to what a comparable, independently-run business would command.

August 7, 2026

The Pro-Rata Rule That Ruins a Backdoor Roth for Owners

The backdoor Roth IRA only works cleanly if every traditional-type IRA you own - including your SEP-IRA - carries a zero balance on December 31 of the conversion year.

August 5, 2026

SEP-IRA vs Solo 401(k): which shelters more for one owner

If you have no non-spouse W-2 employees and earn less than roughly $250,000 in net self-employment income , a Solo 401(k) will almost certainly shelter more money from taxes than a SEP-IRA - often by $24,500 or more in a single year.

August 5, 2026

The 5-Step Money Order for Growth-Stage Founders

The 5-Step Money Order sequences every profit dollar in a specific order: first fund a 25-30% tax reserve in a dedicated account, then build six months of personal liquidity plus three months of business operating reserves in cash, then close insurance gaps (disability, life,...

August 3, 2026

Does Your Life Insurance Cover Your Personal Guarantees?

Almost certainly not - unless you sized your coverage with those guarantees in mind. Standard life insurance recommendations are built around income replacement, not business liability.

August 3, 2026

ESOP or a Third-Party Sale for Your Exit

An ESOP and a third-party sale are fundamentally different transactions with different tax outcomes, timelines, and implications for employees.

July 31, 2026

Should You Sell the Family Business or Hand It Down?

The short answer: There is no universally right answer - only the one that fits your retirement security, your family's readiness, and the tax math for your specific situation.

July 30, 2026

Don't Bet Your Retirement on Selling the Business

Most owners plan to retire from a business sale without knowing how much taxes shrink the proceeds. Alan Rhode, CFP® & CEPA®, explains what to have ready first.

July 28, 2026

The Real Tax Rate on a Business Sale Isn't 20%

Selling your business? The real effective tax rate hits 35-50%, not the 20% capital gains rate you expect. Learn what drives the gap, and how to plan ahead.

May 6, 2026

The One Big Beautiful Bill — One Big Beautiful Blog

Comprehensive H.R. 1 tax analysis: permanent rates, business expensing, tip exemptions & Medicaid reforms. Expert financial planning insights.

March 18, 2026

Understanding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS)

Explore our comprehensive guide on Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and discover how it can significantly benefit your investment strategy. Understand QSBS rules, tax advantages, eligibility criteria, and how to maximize your financial gains with expert insights from Modern Wealth.

February 12, 2026

The Super Bowl tax trap: Why tax planning matters for business owners nearing exit

California’s “jock tax” is a lesson for business owners: the tax planning you do in the years before an exit shapes what you keep after the sale.

January 27, 2026

The Solo 401(k)

Explore the Solo 401(k) pros and cons for self-employed individuals, including tax benefits, high contribution limits, and setup considerations.

October 7, 2025

Interest Rates Are Falling: Here Is How Smart Investors Should Respond

Learn how to adjust your investments, debt, and savings for a lowering interest rate environment with insights from Modern Wealth.

July 28, 2025

What Recent Trade Policy Shifts Mean for Markets

How shifting trade policies driven by politics, not just economics, are reshaping global markets and creating new investment considerations for portfolios.

July 17, 2025

Why Traditional Investment Advice Might Be Keeping You from Real Wealth

Most wealthy people broke diversification rules to build wealth. Learn why concentration vs diversification timing matters for business owners.

June 19, 2025

Why the Fed's Latest Move Matters to Your Money

The Fed's latest forecast signals higher inflation and slower growth. Discover what this means for your financial plan, investments, and wealth strategy in 2025.

May 2, 2025

Q1 GDP Explained and What Investors Need to Know

Despite a negative Q1 GDP report, the U.S. economy remains strong beneath the surface. Discover what really drove the numbers, and why investors and business owners shouldn't panic.

April 3, 2025

What Does Liberation Day Mean for Your Financial Plan?

Liberation Day marks a major shift in U.S. trade and tariff policy. Learn how this change could impact inflation, global trade, and what it means for your financial plan, with insights from Modern Wealth.

March 13, 2025

Understanding the Link Between Tariffs and Inflation

Are tariffs inflationary? Learn how they impact prices, interest rates, and your financial plan. Get expert insights from Modern Wealth.

January 31, 2025

Welcome to LifeHub at Modern Wealth

At Modern Wealth, we leverage Life Hub, an innovative financial visualization tool, to provide clarity and confidence in retirement income strategies, scenario analysis, and tax planning.

January 22, 2025

Modern Wealth's Retirement Optimizer

Optimize your retirement in Blue Bell, PA, with a retirement plan. Achieve retirement clarity with expert retirement planning and retirement income strategies!

December 31, 2024

2025 Financial Outlook: Insights and Strategies for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Navigate 2025's financial landscape with expert insights tailored for business owners and entrepreneurs. Explore investment tips and strategies from Modern Wealth.

November 1, 2024

Navigating the 2024 Election Season

Discover how the 2024 election impacts financial markets, why political gridlock may be beneficial, and why focusing on long-term fundamentals is key for investors.

September 19, 2024

The Federal Reserve's Bold Move: The Impact of a Half-Point Rate Cut

Explore how the Federal Reserve's recent half-point rate cut impacts small businesses, inflation, housing, and retirement and what it means for the economy's future.

August 17, 2024

How to Retire as a Small Business Owner

Discover essential retirement planning tips for small business owners. Learn how to transition smoothly, prepare your business, and secure your financial future.

July 30, 2024

What Should Business Owners Do In the Current Interest Rate Environment

Learn how to navigate high interest rates with practical tips for debt management, cash flow optimization, and growth strategies. Discover opportunities when rates drop.

May 16, 2024

Financial Planning for Business Owners

Running a successful business requires more than just a great product or service. It also entails diligent financial planning and management.

May 1, 2024

Business Valuation and Inflation

Discover how inflation impacts small business valuations and learn effective coping strategies to maximize value.

April 1, 2024

The Decide Gate

Unlock the power of value acceleration with the Decide Gate methodology. Learn how to optimize growth and maximize value for your business.

March 31, 2024

The Prepare Gate

Explore the Prepare Gate of Value Acceleration Methodology, focusing on execution, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement for business exits.

March 30, 2024

The Discover Gate

Discover the foundational Discover Gate of Value Acceleration, focusing on thorough business valuation and strategic planning for effective exits.

March 29, 2024

Business Transactions: Asset vs. Share Purchase

Uncover key differences between asset and share purchases in business transactions, including pros, cons, and crucial considerations for both options.

March 29, 2024

The Five Stages of Value Maturity for a Business

Explore the Five Stages of Value Maturity to enhance business worth, from identification to management, for a successful exit strategy.

March 29, 2024

The Intangible Capitals of the Modern Business

Discover the vital roles of intangible capitals in modern business, encompassing human, customer, structural, and social assets for future growth.

March 29, 2024

Retirement Plans for Small Businesses: The 2026 Guide

Compare 2026 retirement plans for small business owners, Individual 401(k), SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA, traditional 401(k), and cash balance plans, with current IRS contribution limits and the new Roth catch-up rule.

February 19, 2024

The Wealth Gap

Understand the 'wealth gap' for business owners and strategies to bridge it for a secure retirement, with focus on asset diversification and planning.

February 19, 2024

Unlocking Business Value

For business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors, optimizing the value of their companies is a paramount objective. This is where the CEPA® Value Acceleration Methodology and Exit Planning come into play.

February 19, 2024

The Value Acceleration Methodology for Small Business Owners

The Value Acceleration Methodology is a concept presented by the Exit Planning Institute (EPI). It's a holistic approach to exit planning that focuses on driving, growing, and protecting business value.

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