by Douglas Brown | Jun 8, 2026 | Someday reasons, Someday risk, Stepping away
I’ve had business owners look at me and ask: “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” The hard part was… I had tried. But when you are working 60 hours a week just keeping the doors open, conversations about retirement, business value, and exit planning are easy to avoid. You...
by Douglas Brown | May 18, 2026 | Overwhelm, Owner Dependence
IIf you’re working over 55 hours a week, you don’t own your business. It owns you. The Business Value Booster Method provides 3 simple phases to get back in control and start enjoying it and your life. Simple, not always easy, but a whole lot easier than...
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...
