by Douglas Brown | May 8, 2026 | Premises
Is one of your business problems staring you right in the face and you’re not seeing it? Of the four main reasons you won’t be able to sell your business if you have to step away from it, or might even cause it to fail in the immediate future, one is the...
by Douglas Brown | Apr 18, 2026 | Owner Dependence, Someday risk
What’s the difference between owner-centered and owner-dependent? Many small businesses are owner-centric. Everything revolves around them. They check every outgoing delivery, handle all the cash, approve every sales estimate. Over time, that has to be fixed if...
by Douglas Brown | Apr 8, 2026 | Books and records, Business Value, Sell business, Someday risk
Most small business owners are making one simple, well-intended mistake. Not only will it be impossible to sell their business should that need arise, but it puts you in danger of being arrested at any moment. What mistake is that? “Optimizing” their...
by Douglas Brown | Mar 18, 2026 | Overwhelm, Owner Dependence
Are you the Superman or Superwoman in your company? If you are working over 50 hours per week, then yes. But that’s not a good thing. Let’s face it, it’s only natural to want to feel as though your contributions are really making a difference. If you’re the business...
by Douglas Brown | Mar 8, 2026 | Overwhelm, Owner goals
A great plan isn’t perfect—it’s realistic. Adopting a whole new “business operating system” will just overload you and confuse your employees. Start with 1–2 near-term actions that (a) move you in the direction you need to go and (b) you can complete in the next 2–4...
