I have found that most owners are thinking about selling as soon as they have a little profit. If not then, it certainly is well before an actual sale. Your best exit strategy doesn't start with a broker; it starts with a financial plan to accumulate wealth during the life of the business while is it in your control, and one piece can certainly be a Defined Benefit Plan, also known as a Pension. Yes, a Pension for small businesses. If you own a successful company, the sale of