Many successful businesses are built on the strength, vision, and relationships of their founder. While this is often a key driver of growth in the early years, it can become a significant concern when it comes time to sell. Buyers are not just acquiring past performance; they are investing in the future of the business. […]
In tight labor markets, it can be difficult to hire the high-quality employees your business needs for continued growth and success. At the same time, your business needs to retain the good employees that you currently have so they don’t leave for greener pastures. What are some things that you can do to entice outsiders to come work for you while maintaining a culture that fosters loyalty among […]
As you grow your business, you will likely make the biggest, most important decisions about the trajectory of your business. But sometimes, this can create bottlenecks. Your business may require you to delegate more responsibility to others for one simple reason: You are only one person. However, when delegating tasks, you may want assurance that the person you are delegating to has […]
One of the most underestimated challenges in selling a business is continuing to run it effectively while navigating a demanding transaction process. Owners are often surprised by how much time and energy a sale requires; meetings with buyers, due diligence requests, financial reviews, and negotiations can quickly become a second full-time job. Yet buyers expect […]
For most business owners, growth is good. But there are situations where growth can position the business to fail and business owners to burn out. Let’s look at a fictional but representative example of when growth can get out of control and why it’s so important to have a written process for handling your business’ growth. Facts and Feelings […]
External events, like supply shortages and inflation, make running a successful business even more challenging. In today’s inflation market, business owners can be forced to make decisions they’re uncomfortable with, especially in terms of raising prices. It’s not uncommon for business owners to feel guilty or fearful that raising prices may do harm to their business. But sometimes, difficult decisions can become […]
As a business owner, your employees put added stock into the things you say, how you say them, and when you say them. This is why it’s extremely important to avoid making empty promises based on good intentions. Let’s look at some ways that you can position yourself to minimize communication risks within your business. Write Everything […]
When business owners think about valuation, they often focus on revenue growth, EBITDA, and market multiples. Those factors matter, but in real M&A processes, deals are frequently repriced or delayed because of hidden risks that surface during diligence. These issues are rarely deal‑killers on their own, but they quietly erode buyer confidence and negotiating leverage for the […]
Co-owned businesses come with numerous complexities. One of the biggest challenges for co-owners is determining how to approach the exit of another co-owner, especially when that co-owner cannot or will not exit gracefully. Let’s look at a fictional but representative story about how one co-owned business successfully managed to tie up loose ends before one owner was forced to […]
As a new year begins, many business owners find themselves asking a familiar question: Is this the year to sell? In 2026, that question is especially relevant. Market conditions remain dynamic, buyer expectations continue to evolve, and many owners are reassessing their personal and financial goals after several years of economic uncertainty. Rather than looking for a […]
