The Largest Transfer of Small Businesses in North America Is About to Happen

You may not know it yet, but we are in the midst of the greatest transfer of wealth in human history.

A generation of business owners – many of whom built companies in the 70s, 80s, and 90s – are preparing to retire.

Restaurants. Gas stations. Construction companies. Professional practices. Family-owned operations.

For many of these owners, their business isn’t just an income source. It’s their life’s work. We have seen it first-hand with our clients.

And now, as retirement approaches owners increasingly asking how they can liquidate their hard work and enjoy their remaining years.

Conversely, younger entrepreneurs are asking, whether it makes sense for them to start their businesses from scratch or to just buy an existing operation.

At the same time, many immigrants and first-generation professionals are increasingly looking at business acquisition as a faster path to ownership. Instead of building from zero, they’re buying proven operations with staff, customers, and cash flow.

This isn’t a small shift. It’s demographic.

The baby boomer generation owns a significant portion of small and medium-sized enterprises across North America. Many don’t have formal succession plans. Many children don’t want to take over.

That creates opportunity – but also risk.

Because selling a business isn’t just about finding a buyer.

It’s about preparation, structure, tax planning, due diligence, and transition.