Ronald (Ron) J. Van Surksum

You need to spend intentional time working on the business, not just in it. That means creating a clear plan for both short‑term goals—like tightening operations, improving cash flow, and strengthening your marketing rhythm—and long‑term goals such as building scalable systems, shaping your brand, and preparing for future growth or succession. Regular strategic time keeps the business moving forward instead of keeping you stuck in day‑to‑day tasks. It’s equally important to diversify your personal financial life beyond the business itself. Relying solely on business assets creates concentration risk, so you should build investments outside the company—using broad‑market funds, real estate, fixed income, and tax‑advantaged accounts—to create stability and long‑term wealth. This balance protects you, your family, and your future regardless of how the business performs.

Prioritize building personal financial independence outside your employer and outside your business. Pay yourself first!

Plan for your retirement income and distribution plan before you retire — not after.

Protect your cash flow first — build or preserve a 6–12 month liquidity buffer before making any major decisions.

Design a tax‑efficient income and distribution plan before you retire, and keep it updated every few years.

Do nothing major for 3–6 months — create a cooling‑off period so emotion doesn’t become strategy.