Business owners planning their next chapter often face a tough decision: how to exit without compromising their legacy or selling to private equity.

As baby boomers age out of ownership, many are turning to Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) for their unique blend of liquidity, tax benefits, and cultural continuity. Yet, understanding the mechanics and long-term impact of an ESOP can feel overwhelming.

Join Matt Di Francesco and Kelly Finnell, Premier ESOP Consultant and President at EFS ESOP Consultants, as they explore how ESOPs offer business owners a powerful way to exit on their terms—while turning employees into owners and preserving what matters most.

Matt and Kelly also talk about:

(02:30) Why are more business owners turning to ESOPs

(05:45) What is an ESOP?

(06:29) Three key ways ESOPs provide more than just a retirement plan

(07:58) How ESOPs provide a powerful performance incentive

(08:19) Can a 401(k) and an ESOP work together?

(09:33) How are ESOP shares distributed among employees?

(10:56) How ESOP shares are valued

(12:28) Who should be the trustee of your ESOP trust

(19:03) Why 95% of 100% ESOP-owned companies are S-Corps

(22:03) What type of business would be a good candidate for an ESOP?

(26:26) The four key questions addressed during the ESOP feasibility study

() How long does an ESOP feasibility study and implementation take?

Connect With Kelly Finnell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esopcoach/

Website: https://execfin.com

Order Kelly’s book - The ESOP Coach here: https://www.amazon.com/ESOP-Coach-Ownership-Succession-Planning/dp/0578046997

Check out these other resources as referenced in this episode:

National Center for Employee Ownership - https://www.nceo.org/

The ESOP Association of America - https://www.esopassociation.org/

Connect With Matt DiFrancesco:

[email protected]

(814)201-5855

LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancesco

LinkedIn: High Lift Financial

Facebook: High Lift Financial

Instagram: @high_lift_financial

Youtube: @highliftfinancial

About the guest:

Kelly Finnell is widely regarded as the nation’s premier ESOP consultant, with over 40 years of experience helping business owners design and implement Employee Stock Ownership Plans. He has presented at more than 300 conferences across the U.S. and internationally, sharing his deep expertise in ESOP strategy and succession planning.

Kelly is the author of The ESOP Coach: Using ESOPs in Ownership Succession Planning, published in 2010—a definitive guide that continues to be a go-to resource in the field today. He is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, a designation awarded through the Center for Fiduciary Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, demonstrating his commitment to always acting in the best interest of his clients.

A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Memphis, Kelly brings both academic rigor and decades of hands-on experience to every engagement. If you're considering an ESOP for your business, Kelly is truly the guy you want in your corner.

Disclaimer:

All information is obtained from sources deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. No tax or legal advice is given nor intended. Content provided herein or on our website should not be construed as an offer for investment advice or for securities, insurance, or other investment products. Investments involve the risk of loss and are not guaranteed. Consult a qualified legal, tax, accounting, or financial professional before implementing any investments or strategy discussed here.