A New Era of Ownership

The biggest wealth transfer is happening now and will continue over the next 15 to 20 years. Over 80 trillion dollars will shift hands. This once-in-a-century transition will reshape everything from real estate ownership, investment trends, and inequality, to entrepreneurship and the future of philanthropy, including NGOs and churches. 

The new generation will not follow the traditional route. They are searching for authenticity. Leaders who are not driven by money alone, but who are focused on creating impact in their communities, industries, and the world.

The wealth accumulated between the 1950s and early 2000s was largely the result of economic timing, favorable policies, and demographic luck. People often say that everything was better back then, but better times lie ahead for this generation. We must prepare and educate ourselves for the opportunities to come, while also understanding the diverse groups who will inherit this wealth. 

Not only heirs from predominantly white families who have historically had access to capital, but also Black and Hispanic communities who have faced systemic barriers and financial illiteracy.

A Conversation That Changed My Perspective

In 2024, I had a meeting with Piet Mars, one of the founders of AFAS Software. We spoke about giving back, contributing to the community, and building a human-centered culture. 

A culture where you don't control employees, but trust them. Where clear objectives are set and every employee knows them. Where people are trusted to achieve these objectives in their own way.

In our conversation about protecting culture and guarding yourself from the greed of money, Piet said something that still echoes in my spirit to this day.

"When is enough, ENOUGH?"

That’s a heart-check question. How much is enough? How far are you willing to go to reach your financial goals? It may seem like a small, unimportant sentence, but it’s a loaded question. It touches on your integrity as a leader, your relationship with money, your willingness to serve others, and your passion for the business you’ve built.

Piet continued. He explained how entrepreneurs build a company from scratch, sell it to a private equity firm for more, and then watch the soul get sucked out. The culture fades, and nothing remains of what they’ve spent years building. He and his partner had their succession plan ready. But many entrepreneurs feel the same way and have no plan.

That conversation gave me clarity. It made the opportunity clear for The Leonora Group to humanize businesses and make employees happier through acquisition and consulting. 

Because founders know in their hearts that they built their company with love. And they refuse to sell it to someone who only sees spreadsheets.

Many sellers prioritize legacy, culture, and values, not just money. They want to sell so they can spend more time with their families, build memories, or follow a new path in life. But they want to know that their creation continues with care and that their employees are well looked after. They seek ethical buyers with a long-term, human-centered approach.

In one of my blogs, I wrote about the VOC mentality that still exists in today’s business culture. That approach may have worked for centuries, but people are tired of being exploited and watching inequality grow. Especially the younger generation, who will be responsible for managing this massive wealth transfer. This generation favors human-centered buyers.

Why? Because investors are now partnering with companies that live their vision. Not just those who put a statement on their website, but businesses that embody their values in culture, operations, and relationships.

This wealth transfer will reflect the values of the previous generation, but the next generation will do things differently. They won’t just repeat what was done before.

The Wealth Transfer Has Two Layers

1. Legacy Over Liquidity

Traditional private equity is often associated with buying companies, cutting costs, laying off employees, and flipping for a quick profit. This approach is frustrating owners and employees alike. Many PE firms are still focused solely on financial returns, but the urgency for purpose is growing. The old method still exists and always will. I’m not selling a utopian concept. But profitability will decline if firms ignore what matters most to founders.

There’s no price you can pay for someone’s name or reputation. And reputation is the highest currency next to time. It takes years to build, but only moments to destroy.

At The Leonora Group, we are not against profit. In fact, we are in favor of building big, profitable companies. But we believe you can do that without exploiting people or reducing them to numbers. People are not just resources. They are human beings with hearts, gifts, and potential.

2. The Inheritor’s Responsibility

Many who inherit wealth lack financial literacy. That makes them both vulnerable and cautious. Trust is the key to reaching them. They care about what’s in your head, but also what’s in your heart.

Old strategies focus on profitable markets and passive investing. But the shift ahead will change how capital is distributed. It will be more about people, purpose, and the planet.

Right now, the focus is mainly on the environment. But as people’s mental and emotional struggles increase, the real value of people will become clear. The world is asking how to reduce burnout, increase productivity, and retain talent. But there are few answers.

Small and mid-size businesses are struggling. Profits are shrinking. The new generation looks beyond profits. They want to make an impact. CSRD and ESG may be ahead of their time now, but their value will grow. These frameworks will attract investors, top talent, and long-term contributors. They will help businesses stay healthy and keep growing after the wealth transfer.

Financial illiteracy and fear of mismanagement will lead to more partnerships. People want to be involved in meaningful business, not just passive returns. Sustainable private equity will play a vital role by investing in companies that solve global problems.

We know what we don’t want. We’ve seen what doesn’t work. And we need a better solution. The rise of human-centered entrepreneurs and investors will accelerate. They’ve seen the damage the old way can do. And they want to build something better. A way that values people and drives impact. It takes courage to lead this way. But the combination of profit and people is not a dream. It’s the future.

The Old Way vs The Better Way

The old way: Cutting costs.

The better way: Stewardship. Know the state of your company. Know the culture, values, and goals of your employees. Cut inefficiencies, but still make room to use people's talents. Don’t just scrap departments. Be aware that growth can lead to unnecessary titles and processes. But manage that with humanity, not haste.

The old way: Changing the name and removing the logo overnight.

The better way: Preserve the legacy. Keep the story alive. That’s the soul of the company. Show pictures. Display the old logo somewhere. People connect to stories, and stories preserve culture.

The old way: Flip fast to the highest bidder.

The better way: Build long-term value. Prepare for succession. Preserve the culture. Let investors contribute to something meaningful and watch their investments grow with purpose.

At The Leonora Group, we believe in building profitable businesses. But always with people in mind. It’s not about choosing between people or profit. It’s both. Because business is, and always will be, about people and solving their problems.

The old is gone. The new has come.

With great wealth comes great responsibility. As institutions and businesses, we influence the future. We decide how this wealth is distributed. It's time to broaden our perspective. Create propositions that embrace both humanity and profitability.

Partnerships built on trust, ethics, and strong relationships will shape markets and close the wealth gap. By preparing the leaders of today, we shape a more humane economy for tomorrow.

Let’s Talk

If you’re looking for a partner and successor to buy your company in a sustainable way, we’d love to have a conversation with you.

Contact us.