Though both my business partner and I have worked for several small businesses over the years, in various phases from start-up to established small businesses and have even been a General Manager for one, it was not until we started my own business that I had a true appreciation of what being an executive was versus the business owner. As a business owner, the buck stops with you and are responsible for the overall direction and financial profitability of the company. I had writ...

Be sure when you engage someone to write your business plan that you are going to receive a full business plan and not just a financial plan.   A financial plan is key to the overall business plan but is not something that can really be done accurately until you have done due diligence on your overall business plan which includes:  market analysis, company direction and history, have an understanding of your products/services, product strategy, pricing strategy, promotional stra...

Have you had an idea in your head of what you believe your company is worth and tried to raise money or sell your business recently and been surprised at the results?  Sometimes it is hard to realize that a business that you have given your sweat and tears to is not a viable business to someone else or to others who you have asked to invest.   There are many reasons why this could be the case.