In September 2026, I was honored to speak at a national conference in Huntington Beach, California, about what made the transition with my former business partners, Ron Leavitt and Jeff Burr, go so smoothly.
Looking back, I attribute it to four main things:
First, we had a clear plan. From the beginning, we were open about when Ron and Jeff wanted to retire and how the eventual buyout would work. We put those expectations in writing well before the transition took place.
Second, we trusted each other. We made decisions based on what was best for our clients, our team, and one another—not simply ourselves. That mutual trust made the company valuation and buyout conversations much easier when the time came.
Third, they prepared me to lead. Ron and Jeff gave me real authority and meaningful leadership responsibilities long before they retired. By the time they stepped away, I was fully prepared to lead the firm forward without disrupting our clients or our team.
Fourth, we communicated openly. Ron and Jeff were clear with both clients and team members about their plans and the timing of their retirement, so there were no surprises.
I’m grateful to have worked alongside such outstanding partners and to have learned from their example. As I continue to lead Capstone Capital Wealth Advisors, I hope to follow those same principles: plan ahead, put others first, develop future leaders, and communicate clearly.
These lessons apply to many business owners. If you or someone you care about is trying to decide when to sell a business, or whether an internal or external sale makes the most sense, I’d love to be a resource.
I’m also happy to send you or them a complimentary copy of my latest book, Life Beyond Your Business, which is also available on Amazon.
