To know me is to know that I am a little odd. One of the oddest things to most people is that since I was 16 I have been looking forward to turning 45-ish because I truly believed something about your 40’s meant you'd found the secret to life. There was something about 40 that said to my teenage self that “I have arrived to be fabulous, glow, and not take any shit.” I have never recoiled at the thought of aging, only the thought of letting another year pass with no progress. Being stagnant scared the shit out of me and that’s why I am constantly evolving. I also at that very green age was already planning for retirement, which is crazy considering my retirement plan is still unsecure. After a riveting lecture on how to become a millionaire by 32 from my Medical Terminology teacher Ms. Dakers I went home telling my sister the simple way for us to get rich. I never put my plan into action living my life was just to expensive by that I mean: I had no self discipline. Sorry, Ms. Dakers I should have been more disciplined!!
I am LaKeisha, I am not a financial guru. I am writing this because I decided I was breaking up with the struggle, banishing financial procrastination, and ensuring the security of my legacy. I founded a virtual solutions company “Ready, Set, Assist” which consists of a Virtual Assistant firm and a micro call center. I am also approaching my 30th birthday deeply engrossed in entrepreneurship. My mind is refocused on securing the whole bag and that includes the success of my financial future! To do this
there are two areas of focus: Business Estate Planning, and Retirement Planning.
Business Estate Planning: More than Life Insurance
When we discuss estate planning the inevitable conversation of life insurance comes up. Life insurance is very important but as a entrepreneur there are more avenues that we should prepare for in the event that we are suddenly no longer in the capacity of making decisions for ourselves or our business. Outside of the traditional health care decisions regarding end of life care, or personal matter such as who will assume custody of children we have to prepare our business for that transition as well. Often, creating an exit strategy sounds so morbid, but this is not only in the event of death. Does your business stop operating because you need to take 2 months off for surgery or does your health take the back seat because the check is calling? Even if we have the money saved it is simply not good business to put everything on pause your audience deserves consistency.
Let’s start with who you would like to take over your business if you can no longer handle the day to day operations. If you know who that person is, let’s make sure we set them up for success. Your life should not read like a Lifetime Original before putting these things in place communicate!!!!!! Inform the person or group of people of your wishes, and your vision for the company.
Consider, how you would like your audience notified and what ways they may be able to participate in your end of life celebration or send their well wishes respectfully, that doesn’t infringe on your privacy. In the digital age it can be harsh to overly expose and let people around the world into our lives, families, and homes then to abruptly oust them when they too are grieving over the end of the connection we initiated.
Basic business transition must haves:
Standard
Operation Procedures
List of bank
accounts and necessary documentation to access these accounts.
Vendor/Client Contact list
Social Media
Accounts and Passwords
Audience Notification Request
As a 19 year old I took $200 from my educational refund and started my IRA promising myself I would contribute the maximum by year end. Not only did I not have any discipline but in that moment I was unemployed. I looked up 3 years later and my IRA had only grown by interest I never made another contribution. At that time I was in my post graduate struggle and set up an automatic weekly debit of $5. It wasn't much but it was my start. Don't be like me prioritize your retirement as early as you can.
As much as I love what I do, each day I hope and pray that what I am building will afford me the luxury to pass on my legacy to either my children, nieces/nephews, or share holders. Making a successful transition entails preparing my business to operate without me in addition to my own personal financial security. Below you'll find a few examples for entrepreneurs in preparing for retirement.
