Insights

I've worked with dozens of business owners over the years. And I've noticed something: they fall into three distinct categories. The Operator. The Builder. The Owner. Each one runs their business completely differently. Each one has a different relationship with their company. And when it comes time to sell? The outcomes are drastically different. Let me show you what I mean. The Operator: Trapped in Their Business The Operator is the hardest-working person in their company.

Eighteen months before I sold my business, I got a valuation that made me sick. I'd been running the company for 8 years. Strong revenue. Good margins. Loyal customers. The number? $1.2 million. I thought it was worth at least $2 million. Maybe more. But the valuator walked me through the math, and I couldn't argue. The business had issues. Real issues that buyers would see immediately. So I had a choice: sell for less than I wanted, or fix the problems and sell later for wha

When you're ready to sell your business, you might be focused on financial statements, customer lists, and operational systems. But there's one document that deserves just as much attention—and it's often overlooked until it's too late: your commercial lease. The reality is stark: a problematic lease can tank an otherwise perfect deal, while a solid one can add significant value to your business. Here's what every business owner needs to know about how their lease affects the