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 | 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 | Feb 18, 2026 | Business Advising, Liquidate, Owner goals, Retiring, Sell business, Stepping away
Every owner has four strategic choice to make. Not every day, but often enough to guide the general direction of the business for a while. Then there is Option 5: do little to improve the business, and don’t put money into savings or IRAs because they plan to...
by Douglas Brown | Jan 18, 2026 | Business Value, Sell business
When value advisors tell you what your business is worth, they’d better be telling you a range. A wide range. Nobody can give you any closer estimate without knowing a lot about your business. For many of them, the high-end number is the one floated in front of you to...
by Douglas Brown | Dec 8, 2025 | Someday reasons, Someday risk, Stepping away
I’m going to keep working until I’m 55-60-65-70. Good plan. BUT most owners aren’t prepared for unexpected changes that require them to step away someday, and most (70%) discover that Someday occurs years before they expect it. Is your business ready? You...
by Douglas Brown | Jun 8, 2025 | Improve Business, Stepping away
Why would a successful business owner turn all their attention to a new line of business, or even jump to an entirely new business, when there is still much to be done in the existing business? Because they can. It’s what entrepreneurs do. Not every small...
