Originally seen in What’s in it for me? I don’t see enough business owners asking themselves that question. They’re so excited about getting started—and then so overwhelmed with running the business—that they don’t ask What do I want to get out of it … when I’m ready to get out of it? The results … Read More
I just got off the phone with a client who wants to close his landscaping business. Brian is successful and talented. And relatively young (late 30s). But it was just too much darn work, and Brian was growing to hate it. He had tried shifting his model from taking new projects to focus only on … Read More
As Seen In … My client, Mike, is a busy entrepreneur. Whirling around like a Tasmanian devil traveling to client sites. Putting out fires. Encouraging employees. There’s barely enough time to handle strategic planning, much less the kind of “what if” planning should his airplane crash. Or car veer off the road on the way to … Read More
As Seen In … Like Erma Bombeck famously said about housework, Succession planning expands to fill the time available. It can take years. Except … when it can’t. Let me share with you stories of three business owners who had to create contingency plans in a hurry: For lifestyle reasons, Kimberly Martinez had already chosen … Read More
You don’t sharpen a knife against a sponge. I love that expression. It goes beyond the platitudes like there is no I in team, or it takes a village. To grow—in any area of life—you need people who will help you sharpen your skills and thinking. Who will challenge you constructively. Not just rubber-stamp your … Read More
As Seen In … Have you built a job, or built a business? If you have passion for starting and growing, that’s great. Don’t care about selling your company? Here’s an invitation: When you have a sense of the “end game,” you make business easier for yourself in the long run. Most businesses close because … Read More
When you’re running your business, it’s easy to feel alone. Your spouse/significant other doesn’t get it. The kids are clamoring for attention. Employees think you’re Daddy Warbucks. Vendors and strategic partners are leaning on you. And the IRS has its hand out …. Is it just a pipe dream that someday you’ll get to play … Read More
Listen to the Episode Below: Your business process is no good to anyone if you keep it all in your head. Documenting how your business works and runs is vital to growing and scaling your business successfully, especially in the service business industry. But let’s not mince words–the process can be painful. So how can you undertake … Read More
Listen to the Episode Below: When it comes to selling our business, we sometimes over-estimate what we’re actually worth. This can be extremely risky. Selling your business when you’re not financially ready can break your bank and your profit margin. So how do you know when you’re ready to sell? J.C. Maldonado is my guest … Read More
Listen to the Episode Below: Do you want to be right or be successful? Today’s guest, Jean Otte, knew from the beginning that her business wasn’t all about her – it was bigger than her, and she’s giving us some great tips on how we can put our egos in the closet without leaving behind … Read More
Listen to the Episode Below: For thousands of years, people believed the Greek astronomer Ptolemy, who said the Sun revolved around the Earth. “That’s the only way it can be done” they thought. Until Copernicus came out in 1543 and said, “No, the Earth revolves around the Sun … that’s how our solar system works.” … Read More
Listen to the Episode Below: Entrepreneurs have this “loveable hubris,” where they think they have their whole lives to build and scale their business. But what happens if something unexpected knocks you off your game? Do you have an “engine room” that can keep the wheels humming in your absence? In this interview, Tim Francis … Read More
