“For she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Proverbs 3:14-3:15).
We’re talking about Sophia…
More specifically, the Greek word for wisdom.
And how tapping into Sophia or wisdom can transform what your business provides you.
“Sing us a song, you’re the piano man…”
Hearing those lyrics took me back to a snowy Christmas Eve years ago, driving through Chicago in a blizzard to pick up my friend Don. We slid into snowbanks, laughed until we cried, and celebrated late into the night.
Years later, Don built a thriving business and a life he loved abroad. But his story has always stayed with me—and not for the reasons you might think.
Profitability alone doesn’t guarantee a buyer will be interested in your business. In fact, many owners don’t realise that 7 out of 10 businesses fail to sell—not because they’re unprofitable, but because they lack what buyers value most:….
“I ain’t missing you at all… since you’ve been gone.”
That’s the song your business should sing when you’re away.
If your business misses you every time you step out—whether it’s for a holiday, a family event, or even a few hours—it’s a sign of trouble.
A friend of mine recently jumped on a plane for his 12th trip in just nine months. He’s headed to Europe for some skiing and a bit of downtime to enjoy a hobby he’s fallen in love with.
But here’s what’s remarkable: his business doesn’t miss him.
It wasn’t always this way. Just a few years ago, he was stuck working 80-hour weeks, tethered to his desk and overwhelmed by the daily grind.
The turning point? He decided ……
When you’re running a business, it’s easy to think buyers will see the value in everything you’ve built—the late nights, the sacrifices, the blood, sweat, and tears.
But buyers don’t care about brownie points.
They care about what your business can do for them. If you can’t answer that, your business could end up like Sally’s….
“I know kung fu.”
That line from The Matrix always stuck with me. Imagine downloading a lifetime of knowledge—mastering martial arts, business strategies, or customer service excellence—in seconds.
While we can’t quite do that yet, what if you could save years of trial and error in your business?
Back in 1999, I took a road trip to the American River—the exact spot where James Marshall discovered gold in 1848 and kicked off the California Gold Rush.
When Marshall first found gold, the area was quiet. No crowds. No rush. Just endless opportunity for those who knew where to look.
It reminded me of our last Business Value Happy Hour.
A small group of us listened as one of our peers shared how he turned his business into a goldmine
Don’t miss the next opportunity. Find out more inside…
2025 is here, and it feels like a year of growth and opportunity.
This year, I’m doubling down on some exciting new initiatives designed to help business owners take their companies to the next level. From collaborations and workshops to practical strategies you can apply immediately, I’ve outlined it all in my latest post.
2024 taught me some big lessons—ones I thought I already knew but needed to learn again.
These lessons reshaped how I approach my business, the people I surround myself with, and the value I bring to my clients. They’ve set me up for a major shift in 2025, and I’m excited to share the journey with you.
Curious what I learned and how it might apply to you?
“Sell the team… Sell the team…”
The chants echoed through Soldier Field as frustrated Chicago Bears fans voiced their anger after yet another loss.
But here’s the irony: The Bears could sell tomorrow for over $1 billion, no questions asked.
Why?
Because they’re the perfect example of a sellable business.. including 5 key areas you can have in your own business -without worrying about poor blocking or bad time management:
You’re not an idiot if your business isn’t sellable.”
That’s where the conversation starts.
Recently, I hit a nerve talking about how making your business sellable doesn’t just prepare you for an exit—it gives you more freedom, profits, and opportunities today.
It even led to some unsubscribes.
So, in this article, I’m clarifying why a sellable business isn’t just about selling. It’s about transforming your life.
Read More Here
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous and blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
He’s not lucky. He’s not from a wealthy family. He just did one thing right: He built a sellable business.
Because a sellable business isn’t just about exiting—it’s about freedom, options, and building the life you want.
What freedom are you building for yourself?
In 14 days, I realized I didn’t own a business—I owned a job disguised as a business.”
A business owner shared this story with me recently: He stepped away from his business to save his marriage. No calls. No emails. No check-ins.
The cracks appeared immediately—missed deadlines, chaos, and stress.
But what he learned changed everything—his business, his life, and his family.
Read his story in my latest post.
I’ll think about selling when I’m ready to retire.”
It’s what most business owners say—and it’s the mistake that costs them time, profits, and peace of mind.
The truth? Preparing your business to sell isn’t just about the future. It’s about working less, earning more, and enjoying your life today.
Find out more in my latest post.
It’s 3 a.m. You’re raiding the fridge when—BAM! Blinding light.
Little green men strap you down and start firing questions:
“Why does your business collapse when you’re not there?”
“Why did you miss those family milestones?”
“Why haven’t you built a business that runs without you?”
Sounds ridiculous? Maybe.
But go through due diligence when selling your business—and you’ll feel like you’re in the hot seat.
He built his business with blood, sweat, and tears…
Endless hours. Sacrificed weekends. Missed milestones.
All for the dream of “someday.”
But what if hard work isn’t the hero of this story?
What if it’s the villain—trapping him in a business that can’t run without him?
In my latest article, I challenge the one belief that’s holding most business owners back.
In a world where business owners grind endlessly…
They sacrifice time, miss milestones, and tell themselves “someday it’ll be worth it.”
But someday never comes.
The hero becomes the villain—missing it all and leaving with nothing.
If you’re running your business like this, you need to hear the truth.
In my latest article, I share a lesson from The Dark Knight that might change your business (and your life).
Why are so many business owners playing checkers when they should be playing chess?
The biggest mistake isn’t what you’re doing—it’s what you’re NOT asking:
• Why isn’t my business more profitable today?
• Will anyone actually buy it when I’m ready to sell?
Read inside the answers to tough questions business owners avoid—and reveal the simple strategies to take control and maximise value
Is your business a winning chessboard—or are you reacting to avoid losing your queen?
Here’s the brutal truth: If your business has you stuck in “react mode,” you’re not just stressed—you’re leaving money on the table. It’s less profitable to run today and worth less when it’s time to sell.
In my latest article, I reveal how to escape the trap and take back control.
What if the stress in your business isn’t about your employees, your clients, or even the economy? What if it’s something else entirely?
I recently worked with a business owner who thought her team was the problem—but the real issue went much deeper.
And it wasn’t just creating stress—it was dragging down her business’s value.
Curious what we uncovered—and how she’s turning it around?
Yesterday, I met a business owner who thought he was thriving. He personally closed 90% of his company’s deals and was growing sales every year. But when it came time to sell, his biggest strength became his biggest weakness.
It’s a mistake I see far too often—and it can derail your future plans.
Discover how to avoid it here.
What would you do if someone told you your business was worth little to nothing?
That’s the situation Rebecca faced—until one conversation changed everything.
In just 60 minutes, Rebecca discovered the true value of her company, went back to the negotiating table, and walked away with six figures.
Curious how she did it?
It all started with a single, free assessment.
Click below to read her incredible transformation story—and find out what your business might be worth.
#businessownership, #businessgrowth, #smes, #entrepreneurs, #scaleup, #businessvalue
#businessowners, #sme, #entrepreneur, #enterepreneurship, #businessadvisory
Ready to Sell Your Business for Life-Changing Money?
Join the Business Value Happy Hour in Dubai on Dec 4 (6-8 PM) at Sunken Garden, Ritz Carlton DIFC.
For just AED 190, you’ll walk away with:
✔️ Insider strategies to build a highly profitable, sellable business.
✔️ A personalised 29-page Value Builder™ Report (worth AED 750)—your roadmap to increasing your company’s value by up to 116%.
This report covers:
– Your business’s current valuation & growth potential.
– How to create recurring revenue streams.
– Strategies to reduce dependency on YOU.
– Actionable steps to make your business a cash-generating asset.
Only 10 spots available to keep it high quality. Don’t delay.
What do investors really see when they look at your business?
Hint: It’s not how hard you’ve worked. They care about one thing—potential.
And some other things we touch on quickly here.
The good news? These are fixable problems.
Ready to make your business sellable and more profitable now?
Ever feel like your business owns you instead of the other way around? That it’s the mistress coming between you and your family?
One of my clients did. Stuck in the grind, drowning in spreadsheets, and unsure if his business could ever thrive without him.
Fast forward a few months, and his weekends look very different now.
Curious to see how a single happy hour can help make it happen?
Is your business ready for the future? Or are hidden red flags keeping it from becoming the sellable, scalable asset you envisioned?
Our latest infographic breaks down the 5 biggest risks that scare away buyers—like owner dependence, messy financials, and lack of a growth plan.
The good news? These issues can be fixed. And when you address them, you won’t just create a sellable business—you’ll also enjoy more profits, more freedom, and the lifestyle you dreamed of when you started your business.
Reserve a spot through the QR code on the infographic if you are in Dubai on 4 December 2024 and wish to attend our Business Value Happy Hour.
Michelle was running a successful business, but something was keeping her up at night. It wasn’t cash flow or competition—it was something deeper.
When she walked into my office, exhausted and overwhelmed, she told me, “I built this business for freedom, but now I feel trapped.”
What happened next changed everything—for her, her family, and her business.
Read on to find out how she reclaimed her life.
Too many business owners are stuck chasing shiny objects and quick wins, much like the unhealthy habits that keep people from building real relationships.
What if the distractions you’ve surrounded yourself with are keeping you from the exit you deserve?
There’s a reason some owners succeed while others struggle to sell.
And a strategy you can follow to keep away from “gonzo” marketing that distracts and ultimately sets you up to fail when it’s time to exit.
What if someone handed you $50 million to step away from your business… only for you to buy it back for $5 million just 18 months later?
Sounds crazy, right?
Yet, that’s exactly what happened to one business owner—thanks to a team of Blue Chip consultants who thought profit was more important than common sense.
What went wrong? And how do you avoid the same fate?
What’s the biggest fear that silently kills businesses?
It’s not losing customers. It’s not bad marketing. It’s something far more subtle—yet it leads to the biggest mistakes and leaves the most money on the table.
Most business owners don’t even realize they’re trapped by it. I saw it firsthand when people thought I was insane for one simple decision I made.
Turns out, they were wrong.
Driving in my city can be an adventure. Speed cameras are waiting to fine you the second you go 20 km over the limit, so
Some businesses scale effortlessly. Others struggle, stall, or collapse under their own weight.
The difference? It’s not intelligence, luck, or even resources. It comes down to one simple rule—a rule that championship sports teams, billion-dollar companies, and elite entrepreneurs all understand.
Most people ignore it. And it costs them millions.
I break it down in my latest article.
Would you let $235 a month cost you millions?
Sounds ridiculous, right? But I’ve seen business owners sabotage multi-million dollar deals just to save a few bucks on proper bookkeeping and financial reporting.
One refused to upgrade her accountant—her deal fell apart in due diligence. Another wasted hours in Excel hell instead of growing his business.
The #1 deal killer? Poorly done financial records.
Don’t be the Black Knight hacking away with no arms
Jay was leading an M&A team set to close a major acquisition the next day.
That night, they took the seller out for a celebratory dinner. Drinks were flowing, and the owner had too much.
As they were leaving, things turned awkward. The seller got aggressive with the staff, grabbed his car keys, and drove off.
The next morning?
The deal was dead
Last night, I had a simple goal: clear out an old room and get rid of a bed in excellent condition that had been sitting in storage for three years.
What should’ve been an easy giveaway turned into something much more interesting.
It made me rethink the difference between transactions and relationships… short-term cash and long-term value.
And how these same principles shape the businesses that truly thrive.
Is your business less independent than my 3 and 5-year-olds?
Next week, I’m flying to Greece for my father’s funeral. It’ll be the first time in five years that I won’t be sleeping under the same roof as my daughters.
They’re 5 and 3 now—not old enough to take the keys, but they’ll manage just fine. My wife has it all under control.
It made me think, though… How many business owners can say the same about their companies?
If you step away for a week, does everything fall apart?
Sure, your business might pay the bills, but that’s not freedom. That’s a trap.
There’s a playbook for building a business that works without you—one that frees your time, reduces stress, and builds real value.
Have you started working on yours?