The stage is now set for the ultimate demise of the company, due to competitive pressures, estate taxes, employee unrest or whatever. The resulting loss of family wealth is the ultimate legacy of this obsession with secrecy. The business owner needs a mentor, a sounding board, someone he can just talk to. Pay your accountant and attorney a retainer so you can talk to them at anytime and not be worrying about the clock. Your insurance representative, if he's good, is full of business planning strategies, and he may not charge for his time so long as he knows he will get first consideration when it comes to your insurance needs.
Formal planning requires help.
Secrecy denies that help. With a planning team in your corner, you can still employ secrecy when it is really needed, without it getting in the way of the future of your company. John J. Dunlavey provides services to owners of collision repair facilities and their jobbers.