This is a tricky one to answer as it depends on your own family and business circumstances, your age and your expectations. Often the best plans are staggered so that smaller steps are taken bit by bit over a number of years.
Our first step is to meet with you and listen to your story. We like to make sure we understand all the hard work you've put in to get where you are today. We'll wrap our head around your family dynamics, who is involved in your family business and who in your family may have established their own separate life and career. We'll ask you what your ideal scenario looks like in six months, two years and five years. We'll talk about any barriers or things you are worries about.
Once we've started putting the pieces of the puzzle together, we'll turn our head to your assets and any debt you have and make sure we understand your structures and how things work right now.
Then, we will work with you, your accountant and your bank to plot out a realistic step-by-step plan to fulfil your goals. We are careful as it can be a big process and we want to make sure you don't feel overwhelmed. We'll talk about the timing involved which is often tax-related and also dependent on your own appetite to keep working and whether the next generation is ready to take over the reigns (whether in full or incrementally).
The strategies in planning for the future often include drafting your wills, changing trading and ownership structures and being careful about who has control of assets, transferring land, livestock or business plant and equipment, thinking about who carries the risk of running the business and who benefits from the profit, how loans and credit accounts might be secured, drafting family agreements and leases and making sure there are no unintended tax or stamp duty consequences.
Our Meags grew up on a dairy farm near Cobden and has a genuine knack for people. It’s no wonder that she’s a wonderful host and embraces every moment she can, feeding food (and wine) to her friends and family at home. We all wish we could score an invite to her place at Christmas. Just maybe not when the Magpies are playing on TV. Yep, another Collingwood nutter!
You don’t have to drive too far to see Bec slaying her guitar with her pub rock cover band. The volume is quite a contrast to her upbringing on a peaceful farm! Bec comes from three generations of dairy farmers in Camperdown. That’s a lot of legacy, life experience and appreciation for practicality – all of which she naturally applies in her advice. And her clients love her for it.
Shaun cherishes the sense of community living in Camperdown, having moved from Geelong seven years ago. It’s no wonder he enjoys playing team sports, such as cricket, tennis and soccer. He and his lovely wife also have a young son and two dogs to run around after.
Peta was born and raised in Camperdown. She’s now in the life chapter of growing her own family with her hubby, one beautiful girl and two big fur babies. When they find a quiet weekend - by day, they’ll be in the garden or renovating their home. By night, cooking tea and snuggling up with a glass of wine and a good movie.
Grace loves the convenience of how close everything is in the country. From work, family, the supermarket and of course, her home. She grew up in Colac and learnt a lot of life experience from her parents who run a business in the ag industry. If you haven’t been lucky enough to meet her in the office just yet, find her watching the local Colac Tigers come the weekend.
Our Saint ’Nick’ is not just a St Kilda supporter. He’s an avid video game player and enjoys listening to music to accompany the relaxing atmosphere of country life. We’re not sure if it’s his choice in football teams that makes him ultra-resilient or his two younger brothers. Maybe ask him when you chat to him next.
Ash's upbringing revolved around shearing sheds, saleyards and running amok in the NSW bush. She's now enjoying bringing up her young son on the Bellarine and enjoying all that this area has to offer. If you ask Ash about football, she’ll tell you the Bombers are due for some strong finals action. We think she'll be waiting some time yet!
When the lovely Loz is not in the office keeping things in check, she’s operating at a slower pace embracing her latest book or the latest banter amongst her beloved family and friends. Like many of us, she loves being part of a supportive local community.
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