You Sold Your Business. Now What?

You did it.

After years of relentless effort and sleepless nights, you’ve accomplished what few ever will: you sold your business.

The deal is closed. The documents are signed. You refresh your banking app, and a number with more commas than you’ve ever seen stares back at you.

It’s a moment of pure relief—the summit you’ve been climbing toward for years.

But after the euphoria subsides, a new, quieter feeling often creeps in: "What now?"

That feeling is the "chaos" of sudden wealth. Your all-consuming purpose is gone, and you've transitioned from being a builder of enterprise to a steward of wealth.

The skills that made you a brilliant entrepreneur—your bias for quick action and your appetite for risk—can suddenly become your greatest liabilities.

You don't need more "good ideas." You need a clear plan.

As a Sudden Wealth Guide, I help founders in Kelowna and the Okanagan navigate this exact transition. We use a 3-step plan to move you from chaos to quiet confidence.

Step 1: We Create Your "Decision-Free Zone"

The most important decision you can make in the first 90 days is to make no decisions at all.

Your phone is already ringing. Your brother-in-law has a "can't-miss" startup. A friend knows a guy developing a new winery in Naramata. Everyone has a great idea for your money.

This is the danger zone.

Our first move together is to build a "fortress" for your capital. We create a strategic pause by moving the proceeds to a new, separate account at a completely different institution. We then park it in the safest, most liquid vehicles possible, like high-interest savings accounts or short-term GICs.

The goal is not growth; it's 100% capital preservation. This act of strategic inaction gives you the one thing you need most: time to breathe.

Step 2: We Map Your "True Number"

The number in your bank account is not your number. Not yet.

Before you buy the dream house on Realtor.ca or the cottage on the lake, we must get a crystal-clear picture of your after-tax proceeds.

The tax implications of a significant capital gain in Canada are staggering. This is the "tax tsunami" that can wreck the best-laid plans.

As your guide, I act as the "quarterback" for your new professional team. We coordinate with a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) who has expertise in business sales to determine exactly what the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is owed.

We'll answer the critical questions:

• How much of your gain is taxable?

• Did you qualify for the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)?

• What is the final, after-tax number you have to build with?

Only when you have this "True Number" can we move on to the final step.

Step 3: We Build Your Stewardship Charter

You didn't build your business alone, and you shouldn't build your legacy alone.

With your capital secure and your tax picture clear, the "What now?" question finally has a clear answer. This is where we do the real work: building your Stewardship Charter.

This isn't just an investment portfolio; it's the comprehensive blueprint for your family's future. Together, we coordinate all the pieces, working with estate lawyers and accountants, to ensure your tax, investment, and legacy strategies all work in concert.

We'll structure your assets efficiently, making full use of your TFSA and RRSP. We'll build a plan that shifts your focus from being rich (having visible signals of success) to being wealthy (having security, flexibility, and control over your time).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the very first thing I should do with the money?

The single most important first step is capital preservation. This means moving the funds to a new, separate high-interest savings account or short-term GIC at a different bank. The goal is 100% security and liquidity while you plan.

What is the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE)?

In Canada, the LCGE is a significant tax benefit that can exempt a portion of the capital gains from the sale of qualified small business corporation shares. In 2024-2025, this exemption is over $1 million. Determining if your sale qualifies is a critical first step in your tax analysis.

Should I pay off my mortgage and all my debts right away?

This is a common impulse, but it's a decision with a critical trade-off. When you pay off your mortgage, you convert a liquid asset (your cash) into an illiquid one (your home equity). This loss of liquidity can reduce your flexibility.

On the other hand, for many founders, debt feels like chaos. The psychological freedom of knowing your home is 100% yours—no matter what happens in the market—is a 'peace of mind' return that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet.

This is exactly what we navigate in the Stewardship Charter.  It's not about a simple 'right' or 'wrong' answer. It's about weighing the math against your personal definition of 'freedom from chaos' and building a plan that honours both.

The highest form of wealth is the ability to wake up every morning and say, "I can do whatever I want today." It’s not about buying more stuff; it’s about buying control over your time.

You’ve already conquered the business world. Now, it's time to build a meaningful legacy.

The first step is simple. You don't need to make a big decision; you just need to get clear.

I wrote this guide to help you do just that.

Download the Sudden Wealth, Clear Plan Guide

By Rolf Issler, BMgt, CLU

Sudden Wealth Guide | Helping Founders & Families Move from Chaos to Stability ProsperWise Advisors