Insights
The Modern Entrepreneur Blog
Expert perspectives on financial planning, wealth management, and strategic advice for business owners.
Latest Articles
Financial insights for business owners.
Practical guidance on tax planning, investment strategy, and building lasting wealth.
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.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreAugust 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,...
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreJuly 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.
Read MoreJuly 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.
Read MoreJuly 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.
Read MoreFebruary 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.
Read MoreOctober 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.
Read MoreJuly 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.
Read MoreJuly 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.
Read MoreJuly 9, 2025
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.
Read MoreJune 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.
Read MoreMay 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.
Read MoreApril 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.
Read MoreMarch 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.
Read MoreJanuary 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.
Read MoreJanuary 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!
Read MoreJanuary 2, 2025
Modern Wealth Market Minutes for Q1 2025
Explore market insights with Alan Rhode, Founder and CEO of Modern Wealth. Discover analysis from J.P. Morgan Asset Management's 'Guide to the Markets' and tailored strategies to achieve your financial goals.
Read MoreDecember 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.
Read MoreNovember 4, 2024
Market Minutes for October 2024
Stay updated with our Market Minutes for 11/4/24. Explore October's market recap, earnings highlights, inflation data, labor trends, and key insights for long-term investors.
Read MoreNovember 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.
Read MoreSeptember 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.
Read MoreAugust 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.
Read MoreJuly 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.
Read MoreJune 24, 2024
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.
Read MoreMay 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.
Read MoreMay 1, 2024
Business Valuation and Inflation
Discover how inflation impacts small business valuations and learn effective coping strategies to maximize value.
Read MoreApril 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.
Read MoreMarch 31, 2024
The Prepare Gate
Explore the Prepare Gate of Value Acceleration Methodology, focusing on execution, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement for business exits.
Read MoreMarch 30, 2024
The Discover Gate
Discover the foundational Discover Gate of Value Acceleration, focusing on thorough business valuation and strategic planning for effective exits.
Read MoreMarch 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.
Read MoreMarch 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.
Read MoreMarch 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.
Read MoreMarch 29, 2024
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.
Read MoreMarch 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.
Read MoreFebruary 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.
Read MoreFebruary 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.
Read MoreFebruary 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.
Read MoreReady to put these insights to work?
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