If your retirement plan is “sell the business one day,” you’re not alone, but you might be taking more risk than you realise. We sit down with Craig Phillips from Phillips Wealth Partners, a Canberra-based financial planning firm, to unpack how small business owners can build a clear business exit strategy without guessing their way through the biggest financial decision of their lives. We dig into why business owners often have lower superannuation balances than employees, and how irregular income and an all-in bet on one illiquid asset can leave you exposed.

Craig explains sequencing risk in plain language: the market might not cooperate when you want to sell, even if you’ve picked a perfect date on the calendar. From there we get practical, starting with a retirement spending plan and a target income number, then stress testing what happens if the business sells for less than expected. We also talk business valuation and why an independent view from a business broker can be a game changer, even if you are years away from selling.

We cover superannuation strategy beyond “set and forget,” including reviewing investments, fees, and performance, plus what changing rules like payday super mean for compliance and cash flow. We finish with the tax side of exiting, including the reality of capital gains tax and why small business CGT concessions can depend on timing, structure, and early planning. If you want more choice and control over your retirement timeline, this conversation lays out the checklist and the team you need around you.

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