For small business owners, daily operations often take priority over long-term financial planning. On Thursday, November 5, 2026, local entrepreneurs gathered at the Layton City Center to shift their focus toward securing their personal financial futures during the latest Layton City Small Business Seminar.
Titled “, Social Security & Taxes for Small Business Owners,” the workshop provided actionable strategies tailored to help business leaders navigate critical financial decisions for a confident, secure retirement. Co-sponsored by Layton City Economic Development and First Community Bank, the mid-day session featured expert presentations by Ron R. Valentine, CPA (Owner, Valentine CPA) and Rob Simons (Registered Investment Advisor, Valentine CPA).
Core Takeaways: Wealth Protection & Retirement Strategy
During the hands-on session, the speakers broke down key strategies for safeguarding hard-earned business and personal assets:
- Social Security Optimization: Key methods to maximize lifetime benefits and integrate government programs into a broader retirement plan.
- Investment and Risk Management: Balancing portfolio growth with capital preservation as retirement approaches.
- Roth Conversions and Tax Strategy: Structuring tax-efficient wealth transfers so business owners retain more of their legacy rather than losing it to unnecessary tax burdens.
The Cornerstone of Estate Planning: Why Every Business Owner Needs a Living Trust
A central focus of the seminar was the vital role of a revocable living trust, a legal arrangement that holds ownership of your assets during your lifetime and directs how they are managed and distributed after your death.
The presenters highlighted two major advantages of establishing a living trust over relying solely on a traditional will:
Bypassing Probate Court: Assets held in a living trust transfer directly to designated beneficiaries without going through probate court. This process saves families thousands of dollars in legal fees, eliminates court delays, and keeps financial details entirely private.
Incapacity Protection: If an unexpected illness or injury leaves you physically or mentally incapacitated, a named successor trustee can step in immediately to manage your business and personal finances, pay bills, and maintain operations—all without requiring a costly or time-consuming court-ordered conservatorship.
Looking Ahead: Join Us for Future Seminars
The workshop was hosted over the lunch hour from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM in the lower level of the Layton City Center (437 N. Wasatch Drive), offering a convenient time for local founders to connect and learn. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary lunch generously provided by First Community Bank.
Layton City Economic Development remains dedicated to supporting our local business community with ongoing educational opportunities and resources.
Interested in attending future Layton City Small Business Seminars? To reserve your spot or suggest a topic for upcoming events, get in touch:
- Contact: Morgan Cloward
- Email: mcloward@laytoncity.org
- Phone: 801-771-3770