--- title: Approach and Process | Old Harbor Advisors description: An education-first, owner-directed approach to succession planning, from the first conversation to a feasibility study. No obligation at any stage. image: https://oldharboradvisors.com/hubfs/oha-site/brand/oha-heritage-share-1200x630.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#main-content) [![Old Harbor Advisors anchor](https://oldharboradvisors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/oha-site/brand/oha-gold-plate-anchor-2026-10-22.webp?width=52&height=53&name=oha-gold-plate-anchor-2026-10-22.webp) OLD HARBOR ADVISORS, LLC](https://oldharboradvisors.com?hsLang=en) Menu - [Mission & Values](https://oldharboradvisors.com/mission-and-values?hsLang=en) - [Business Owners](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners?hsLang=en) Business Owners submenu - [Family Businesses](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners/family-businesses?hsLang=en) - [Contractors](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners/contractors?hsLang=en) - [Professional Services Firms](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners/professional-services-companies?hsLang=en) - [Business Advisors](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors?hsLang=en) Business Advisors submenu - [Bankers](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors/bankers?hsLang=en) - [Wealth Advisors](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors/wealth-advisors?hsLang=en) - [CPAs & Attorneys](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors/cpas-and-attorneys?hsLang=en) - [Team](https://oldharboradvisors.com/team?hsLang=en) - [Our Approach](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice?hsLang=en) - [Resources](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources?hsLang=en) Resources submenu - [ESOP 101](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/esop-basics?hsLang=en) - [FAQs](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/faqs?hsLang=en) - [Common Misconceptions](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/common-misconceptions?hsLang=en) - [Is an ESOP the Right Fit?](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/esop-fit?hsLang=en) - [Articles & Market Intelligence](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/market-intel?hsLang=en) - [Outside Organizations & Resources](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources#organizations) [Talk to Us](https://oldharboradvisors.com/talk-to-us?hsLang=en) # Our Approach Old Harbor Advisors takes an education-first, owner-directed approach to business succession and ownership planning. We help business owners and their advisors understand their options, evaluate alternatives, and make informed decisions—without pressure, predetermined outcomes, or an artificial timeline. 1. [01 Education](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#stage-education) 2. [02 Understanding](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#stage-understanding) 3. [03 Exploration](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#stage-exploration) 4. [04 Introduction](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#stage-introduction) 5. [05 Feasibility](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#stage-feasibility) 6. [06 Execution](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice#stage-execution) ## Education We educate business owners and their advisors on the possibilities of employee ownership, including its potential benefits and costs, opportunities and pitfalls, and the risks and considerations involved in determining whether it aligns with their business, financial, and succession goals. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of an ESOP alongside other potential alternatives, providing relevant information and perspective to help owners begin evaluating which paths may best align with their objectives. Our goal is education, not persuasion. ## Understanding Building on the initial discussion, we address questions and explore the business in greater depth. Throughout the process, we emphasize confidentiality, discretion, and respect for the owner's circumstances. We seek to understand how the business operates, what drives its success, where its growth opportunities lie, and what will be important to its continued performance. Equally important, we seek to understand the owner's values, priorities, and goals—for the business, its employees, the owner's family, and the owner's own future. This broader understanding helps determine whether an ESOP warrants further consideration and, if so, how it might fit within the owner's succession objectives. ## Exploration We help business owners and their advisors explore the flexibility of employee ownership, consider the options available, and assess how different approaches may support their succession, tax, and legacy goals. We explore relevant alternatives in greater detail, including potential transaction structures, valuation considerations, comparable transactions, financing considerations, and legislative and public policy developments that may affect the available options. These discussions proceed at the owner's pace, without an artificial deadline or an obligation to advance. Our objective is to help owners and their advisors understand the alternatives, their implications, and the questions that merit further investigation. The owner remains in control of whether and how the process moves forward. ## Introduction If the owner wishes to explore an ESOP further, we facilitate an introduction to a leading national ESOP advisory firm for preliminary discussions under appropriate confidentiality protections, including an NDA. This gives the owner and the owner's advisors an opportunity to meet a potential execution team, understand its approach and capabilities, and assess whether the firm is the right fit for the business and the assignment. The introduction is an opportunity to evaluate expertise and chemistry—not a commitment to engage the firm or pursue a transaction. ## Feasibility At the owner's direction, we engage the selected ESOP advisory firm to conduct a feasibility study informed by the business knowledge, ownership objectives, and preliminary analysis developed during our earlier discussions. The study examines the potential structure, economics, financing considerations, and overall feasibility of the ESOP strategy under consideration. It helps the owner and advisors assess whether the proposed approach merits further investment of time and resources. **The feasibility study is provided at no cost to the client.** The purpose is to support an informed decision, not to presume that a transaction should proceed. ## Execution Following the feasibility study, the owner decides whether to engage the ESOP advisory firm and proceed toward a transaction. If the decision is to move forward, the process advances on the owner's timeline and subject to the owner's objectives. Old Harbor Advisors remains involved as a trusted advisor, providing hands-on guidance and helping the owner evaluate findings, consider alternatives, and navigate important decisions along the way. Our commitment to objective counsel and owner-directed decision-making continues throughout the process. **Old Harbor Advisors and the selected ESOP advisory firm are compensated only upon the successful completion of the contemplated transaction.** Next Steps ## There is no obligation to proceed at any stage. The ownership remains in control of the process and determines whether, when, and how it moves forward. [Start With ESOP 101](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/esop-basics?hsLang=en) [Learn Whether an ESOP May Fit](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources/esop-fit?hsLang=en) [Start a Confidential Conversation](https://oldharboradvisors.com/talk-to-us?hsLang=en) Educate • Explore • Prepare ![Old Harbor Advisors, LLC seal](https://oldharboradvisors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/oha-site/brand/oha-heritage-seal.webp?width=156&height=156&name=oha-heritage-seal.webp) Ownership • Stewardship • Legacy [Business Owners](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners?hsLang=en) - [Family Businesses](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners/family-businesses?hsLang=en) - [Contractors](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners/contractors?hsLang=en) - [Professional Services Firms](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-owners/professional-services-companies?hsLang=en) [Advisors](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors?hsLang=en) - [Bankers](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors/bankers?hsLang=en) - [Wealth Advisors](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors/wealth-advisors?hsLang=en) - [CPAs & Attorneys](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice/for-advisors/cpas-and-attorneys?hsLang=en) Old Harbor - [Mission & Values](https://oldharboradvisors.com/mission-and-values?hsLang=en) - [Team](https://oldharboradvisors.com/team?hsLang=en) - [Our Approach](https://oldharboradvisors.com/the-practice?hsLang=en) - [Resources](https://oldharboradvisors.com/resources?hsLang=en) - [Talk to Us](https://oldharboradvisors.com/talk-to-us?hsLang=en) Office 176 Federal St, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02110 [info@oldharboradvisors.com](mailto:info@oldharboradvisors.com) [+1 617-237-0267](tel:+16172370267) © 2026 Old Harbor Advisors, LLC [PRIVACY](https://oldharboradvisors.com/privacy?hsLang=en) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://oldharboradvisors.com/#org", "@type" : [ "Organization", "ProfessionalService" ], "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Boston", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "02110", "streetAddress" : "176 Federal St, 6th Floor" }, "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "inquiries", "email" : "info@oldharboradvisors.com", "telephone" : "+1-617-237-0267", "url" : "https://oldharboradvisors.com/talk-to-us" }, "description" : "Old Harbor Advisors helps middle market business owners and their advisors understand how Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) can help preserve business independence, deliver significant tax advantages, provide liquidity for owners, strengthen employee engagement, and support long-term business continuity and legacy.", "email" : "info@oldharboradvisors.com", "founder" : { "@id" : "https://oldharboradvisors.com/team#jack" }, "image" : "https://247514930.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/247514930/oha-site/brand/oha-heritage-share-1200x630.jpg", "knowsAbout" : [ "Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs)", "Employee ownership", "Business succession planning", "Ownership transition", "Management buyouts", "Family Business Succession" ], "legalName" : "Old Harbor Advisors LLC", "logo" : "https://247514930.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na2.net/hubfs/247514930/oha-site/brand/oha-heritage-icon-512.png", "makesOffer" : [ { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "We educate business owners and their advisors on the possibilities of employee ownership, including its potential benefits and costs, opportunities and pitfalls, and the risks and considerations involved in determining whether it aligns with their business, financial, and succession goals.", "name" : "Education" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "We help business owners and their advisors explore the flexibility of employee ownership, consider the options available, and assess how different approaches may support their succession, tax, and legacy goals.", "name" : "Exploration" } }, { "@type" : "Offer", "itemOffered" : { "@type" : "Service", "description" : "We work with leading national ESOP advisory firms. 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