The ESOP Group at Morgan Stanley adopts a well-informed, personalized approach to business transition planning, helping entrepreneurs choose the best path forward.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / ACCESS Newswire / October 23, 2025 / Focused on fiscal growth, employee satisfaction, and other day-to-day concerns of running a company, many business owners aren't thinking about what will happen when they leave. In fact, data collected by the Exit Planning Institute in 2023 shows that even though 68% of business owners have sought business transition advice, 78% have no formal transition plan.

The team at The ESOP Group at Morgan Stanley helps business owners and their advisors approach exit planning strategies with objectivity. With a formal transition plan, whether that means transferring the company to the next generation or selling it outright, entrepreneurs can take an active, educated role in the fate of their company. William "Bill" O'Brien, managing director, wealth management, financial advisor, and corporate client group director, believes his team is uniquely positioned to provide clients with all their possible exit strategies because of the firm's wealth of resources. This, he says, is key to helping clients choose the path that works best for their scenario.

"If you're holding a hammer that executes only one transaction, every company starts looking like a nail," says O'Brien. "There are pros and cons to each potential business transition opportunity, and it's important to work with a firm who can educate them on and execute any transaction."

A Personal Process

The ESOP Group helps ensure solutions are tailored to clients by following a five-part process. First is the discovery stage, which involves determining clients' goals. This is followed by educating clients on their options, selecting professionals to help execute the plan, walking clients through the transaction, and, finally, helping them invest for the future.

Employee stock ownership plans, which the team is named for, are just one potential path clients can pursue. While O'Brien and his team understand this is a good option for owners who want their employees to become economic benefactors and take over leadership, it may not be the best fit for someone who wants a quick and uninvolved transaction.

Citing the Exit Planning Institute's data that 70% of business owners regret their decision after selling their company, O'Brien aims to help clients make decisions that will align with their goals and values in the long term. That means helping them secure enough money for a comfortable retirement and the funds to support their families if they choose. It also means leaving behind a company legacy that clients feel comfortable with while avoiding needless layoffs and other drastic changes.

"We're people helping people," says O'Brien, who was inspired to do this work after helping his family transition when his mother passed away. "We want our clients to move forward in a way that not only benefits them and their families but also the legacy of their business that they want to leave behind."

Bill O'Brien is a Financial Advisor/Private Wealth Advisor with the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley in Chicago Tower location. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC. https://www.sipc.org/.

Bill O'Brien may only transact business in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-esop-group. Transacting business, follow-up, and individualized responses involving either effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made to persons in states where Bill O'Brien is not registered or excluded or exempt from registration.

Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors have engaged Fortune and Entrepreneur Magazine to feature this profile. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC ("Morgan Stanley"), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax or legal advisor. Tax-aware strategies seek to reduce capital gains. There is no guarantee that they will eliminate them.

Information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee their accuracy or completeness. The strategies and/or investments discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 4598554 07/25

Contact Information

William O'Brien
Managing Director
312-419-3554

SOURCE: The ESOP Group at Morgan Stanley