If you’re a woman building a business, you’re not just growing a company. You’re growing capital, influence, and a future that doesn’t rely on anyone else’s playbook. But as your business evolves, so should your financial plan. From those early bootstrapping days to the moment you’re signing a letter of intent to sell, your personal and professional finances are intertwined in ways that demand more than a one-size-fits-all strategy.
At Abeona Wealth, we work with founders and leaders across all stages of business growth. And while each journey is unique, there are key financial touchpoints that every businesswoman should be prepared for. Whether you’re just starting out, scaling fast, or planning your exit, here’s how to think about your wealth, both inside and outside the business.
Stage One: Starting Strong
In the early stages, your business may be running on little more than ambition and iced coffee. Financially, this can be the trickiest phase. Cash flow is tight, risk is high, and personal finances are often at stake.
Key considerations:
- Separate your finances early. Establish clear boundaries between personal and business accounts. It’s not just good hygiene, it’s good strategy.
- Build a financial buffer. A small emergency fund (even just a few months of expenses) can prevent personal debt from becoming your backup plan.
- Consider your funding options. Many women self-fund longer than they should, in part due to systemic underfunding—female founders received just 2% of venture capital dollars in 2022. Don’t be afraid to explore grants, pitch competitions, or alternative lending.
This is also the stage to start thinking about your future personal wealth, even if you’re not contributing heavily yet. Setting up a solo 401(k) or SEP IRA early can create a habit of saving, even if you’re only putting away small amounts to start.
Stage Two: Scaling and Paying Yourself
Once revenue is flowing, the next challenge is scaling sustainably while beginning to fund your personal goals. This is where many founders hit the “now what?” moment.
Your money questions shift to:
- How do I pay myself consistently and tax-efficiently?
- Am I reinvesting too much into the business?
- Should I start diversifying into real estate, retirement accounts, or brokerage investments?
At this stage, the business is often the largest asset in your portfolio. But relying solely on it can be risky. We often work with founders to strategically begin pulling money out of the business, so they’re not entirely dependent on an eventual sale for their financial security.
Also worth noting, this is a good time to revisit your estate plan. A growing business changes the stakes, and you’ll want to make sure your hard work doesn’t get tied up in probate.
Stage Three: Preparing for Exit (and What Comes After)
Selling a business is more than a transaction. It’s a transition, and for many women, it’s also the first time they hold significant liquidity without the structure of a company to reinvest it in.
In a previous blog, we explored how this moment can bring both freedom and overwhelm. A windfall doesn’t automatically translate into peace of mind—it needs direction.
If you’re selling, consider:
- Tax planning well in advance (because timing matters).
- Diversifying your new wealth across accounts that align with your values and goals.
- Protecting yourself emotionally and financially in the post-sale period (yes, we’ve seen clients make well-intentioned but costly decisions in the first 6 months).
And perhaps most importantly, what do you want this next chapter to look like? Many women don’t just stop working, they invest in new ventures, start foundations, or consult. Your plan should support whatever shape success takes next.
Your Business Is a Wealth Engine—But It’s Not the Whole Story
As we shared in a recent blog, your company is a powerful driver of your financial life, but it shouldn’t be the only one. The most resilient strategies treat business ownership as a launching pad for long-term personal security, not the endpoint.
No matter where you are in your journey, your financial strategy should evolve with you. It should reflect your values, your vision, and a future that includes both personal security and the freedom to decide what comes next.
Let’s Talk About Where You’re Headed
At Abeona Wealth, we help professional women build plans that go beyond the spreadsheets. Whether you’re launching, growing, or letting go, we’re here to guide you through the financial decisions that matter at every stage. Reach out to schedule a conversation.