AGS Business Succession Series Program

In October 2025, Merit Financial Advisors welcomed Obsidian Planning Solutions into its family to expand its ability to help business owners nationwide with succession, continuity, and transition planning. Together, they continue to bring specialized expertise to help business owners plan for the future.

We understand the importance of a smooth and successful transition of your business. The American Gem Society (AGS) has partnered with Merit Financial Advisors to offer comprehensive courses and valuable resources to support you through retirement, sale, or other business changes. Join us on this journey and ensure a secure future for your business.

The courses provide participants with critical education and insights into the business transition process as well as one-on-one, online coaching sessions with the course instructors—certified exit and financial planners.

The series is open to AGS members and invited non-members. The level of personal and/or financial information disclosed during both the lectures and the private coaching sessions is entirely at the discretion of each participant.

Members enjoy significant savings on the series:

• Member: $3,500 for the three-course bundle
• Invited non-member: $4,500 for the three-course bundle

This education is available to retailers, suppliers, and service providers.

Please submit your business’s details using the form below to be notified once the next series is scheduled.

The AGS Business Succession Series

Plan. Protect. Preserve. Prosper.

Course 1

The Business Owner’s Blueprint for Succession/Transition

• Module 1: Understand your Retirement Income Gap
  • Live Zoom meeting 
  • Coaching sessions
• Module 2: Protect and Transfer your Business and Personal Legacies
  • Live Zoom meeting 
  • Coaching sessions

Course 2

Your Business Continuity Playbook

• Module 1: The Critical Components of Business Continuity
  • Live Zoom meeting 
  • Coaching sessions 
• Module 2: Put your Company’s Financial and Technology Processes in Order
  • Live Zoom meeting 
  • Coaching sessions 

Course 3

Your Business Transition Blueprint

• Module 1: Strategic Considerations in Selling your Company to Insiders
  • Live Zoom meeting 
  • Coaching sessions
• Module 2: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Selling your Company to an Outside Third Party
  • Live Zoom meeting 
  • Coaching sessions

Meet your Instructors

Patrick Carroll, CFP^® CExP^®

Patrick and his team of financial planning and business planning professionals partnered with Merit Financial Advisors in 2025. Throughout his 40-year career, he has worked to help individuals, families and business owners navigate life transitions and set their financial and personal goals.

In his work for nearly two decades as a Certified Exit Planner, Patrick has worked with business owners to help them build and protect business value and create plans to transition their companies— on their timelines—to the successors of their choice, whether that’s their children, employees, or third parties. He takes a special interest in guiding owners though complexities related to employing, evaluating, and transferring businesses to children.

Drawing on his experience in financial, business continuity, and succession planning, Patrick speaks to groups throughout the U.S. He also contributes articles to trade association magazines and leads online learning courses.

Patrick graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned his Master of Science from The American College of Financial Services. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and Certified Exit Planner. Patrick shares his love of experiencing other cultures and international travel with his wife, Julie, and their two daughters.

Todd Feldman, CFP^® CExP^®

Todd is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional, Certified Exit Planner, Partner, and Planner for Merit Financial Advisors. He helps families, business owners, and individuals bring clarity and confidence to their financial lives. Having worked in the financial industry for over 30 years, he takes a holistic approach to every challenge and opportunity.

Todd understands the profound impact that financial planning can have on a person’s and family’s quality of life. He enjoys helping business owners create succession, transition, and employee incentive plans designed to protect their businesses and their families’ personal and financial well-being.

He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. He volunteers with local organizations and is currently a board member of the Exit Planning Exchange of Greater Washington, D.C. In his spare time Todd enjoys cooking, traveling, golfing, and spending time with his son, Ethan, a personal trainer.

Don’t miss this opportunity–provide your information above! This valuable program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to protect your wealth and successfully transition your business to the next owner.