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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Offer Came In… He Almost Threw Up

He opened the offer And felt sick.
There was a digit missing.
And when the broker explained why—it was a punch to the throat.
Not a finance issue.
Not a recession.
Just one painful truth:
If you’ve ever wondered what your company’s really worth…
This story might sting.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

They Finally Called Back… Then Everything Collapsed.

He spent three decades building it.
When it was finally time to walk away… no one wanted it.
He made one fatal mistake—one that 7-figure founders make every day without realizing it.
The worst part?
He didn’t even see it coming.
This isn’t a story about business.
It’s about the blind spot that kills exits before they even start.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

He Closed the Deal… And Lost Out on What Mattered

He built the company.
Closed the biggest deal of his life.
Finally made it.
But instead of celebration, he got silence.
Cold dinners. Missed memories.
And one question from his daughter that nearly broke him.
This isn’t about revenue.
It’s about what success costs when you build it wrong.
I wrote this for the founder who thought the grind would end—but it didn’t.
It just got worse.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Are You a Business Owner or Just Another In-Emp

Most business owners don’t realize it…
But there’s a silent shift that happens somewhere between year 3 and year 10.
It doesn’t show up on the P&L.
It doesn’t get mentioned in strategy sessions.
But it kills freedom, ruins families, and traps even the most successful founders.
I wrote this for the ones who feel it—but can’t name it yet.
Read it. Then ask yourself:
Is this already happening to me?

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badge from the Epicon Iftar event
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

You Are.. Who You Surround Yourself With..

Sometimes the truism is in front of you face to face.. last night it was the idea that who you spend your time with can play a big part of how successful you become. I saw the power of that in Sophia Moulin’s Epicon Iftar where I spent 5 hours speaking with successful family offices and investors and enjoyed the amazing conversations… I

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woman in busines attire sitting in a lake of quicksand in an office complex.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Three years ago, a business owner had millions on the table. He wasn’t quite investor-ready, but with a few smart moves, he could have been.
We mapped out a plan. He didn’t say yes. He didn’t say no. He just disappeared.
Now? His numbers have dropped, and the best offer he can get is pennies on the dollar.
Opportunity doesn’t wait. It knocks—once.
Are you ready when it does?

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business man straining with a very small dumbell
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Stop Curling Your Business to Death

At the gym, I used to see a guy who was obsessed with one thing—getting bigger arms.
Every day, he went straight to the curl station, lifting faster and harder, convinced this was the secret.
But no matter how much effort he put in, nothing changed.
Then one day, he disappeared.
I see business owners make the exact same mistake.
And it’s costing them time, money, and real growth.
And something else.. which I’ll touch on over the next few days..

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sisyphus pushing up rock with volcano exploding behind.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Rock that is Weighing You Down in your Business

Every business owner carries a weight. Some wear it like a badge of honor, convinced it’s just part of the grind. Others don’t even realize it’s holding them back. But there comes a moment when you have to ask—am I actually moving forward, or just pushing the same rock uphill over and over again?
I met someone recently trapped in this cycle. His story might sound familiar.

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George staning next to obsrevation point overlooking Navarino Bay
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The One Business Truth You Can’t Avoid

Most business owners focus on growth, but very few think about this one thing—until it’s too late.
And to it bluntly: This one thing is 100% guaranteed that it will happen to you. The only question is how and on whose terms.

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Painting of a dead parrot next to a cash register in a Pet Shop.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Dead Parrot and the Business Sale Gone Wrong

There’s one mistake business owners make that sabotages their ability to sell—a mistake that can cost them millions.
It’s 100% within their control, yet most don’t even realize they’re making it.
And somehow, a dead parrot explains exactly why.
Sounds ridiculous? Maybe. But if you plan to sell your business one day, you’ll want to hear this story first.

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a grave which is a box with dirt in the middle of a boardroom
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Silent Business Killer No One Talks About

A struggling new business couldn’t attract customers, even with rock-bottom prices.
Then they did something that felt completely counterintuitive—something that most business owners are too afraid to try.
The result?
They went from desperate for clients to having more demand than they could handle, landing big-name customers and opening doors to new markets and collaborations.
What changed?
It wasn’t luck. It was a simple shift that transformed everything.

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Scene before funeral the ceremony. 2 men in front of a church with flowers on the wall and a woman fixing a display.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

What Does Owning an Independent Business Look Like?

Most business owners can’t step away for a week without everything falling apart.
So why was one entrepreneur able to drop everything, fly across the world, and stay an extra few days—without a single crisis call?
It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a silver spoon.
It was a business built to work for him—not the other way around.
Want the same freedom?

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Most Dangerous Number in Business

What’s the most dangerous number in business?
It’s not your revenue. Not your profit margin. Not your customer count.
But almost every business owner relies on it—without realizing the massive risk it creates.
It’s the number that can sink your company overnight, turn a thriving business into a desperate one, and leave you scrambling for survival.
Most people don’t see the danger… until it’s too late.

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Successful business couple at a taverna with man grey hair and beard and woman attractive.
Dependency on Owner
George Sotiropoulos

Is Your 3D Business Owner Life Being Reduced to a 2D Label?

What will your family remember about you?
The sacrifices? The long hours? The endless emails on vacation?
Or simply the fact that you were never really there?
Too many business owners spend their lives building a future, only to become a ghost in their own story—reduced to a 2D label of “always working” while their real life passes by.
It doesn’t have to be that way.

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Cows in a boardroom smoking cigars
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

What Can Cows Teach Us About Owning a Valuable Business?

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?

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Motorcycle racer with a bunch of horses
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Stop Letting Competitors Limit You

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.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Customer Who Left You (And Never Looked Back)

Nothing more annoying than being tailgated by a speed camera. If you speed up because of the guy riding your tail you face the possibility of a speeding fine. Stay where you are and you might be rear-ended.
What if you are the annoying driver when it comes to your business.. do you think you might be? Read on to find out if that is the case.

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business woman happy and laughing with an uncluttered business and life
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Keep it Simple – Redux

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.

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business man burning cash..
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The $235 Mistake That Could Cost You Millions

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

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caveman using a computer
Uncategorized
George Sotiropoulos

Owners who Sabotage Themselves

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

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woman on a chess board making relationships with business people
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

An Old Bed and a Business Lesson

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.

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stressed business man sitting at a table while a woman representing his business "mistress" is about to boil a live white bunny rabbit.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Freedom and Business Ownership

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?

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The Thief You Never Saw Stealing Your Freedom and Running Your Business – Part 2

Customers in. Customers out. Your business is running like a hamster wheel you can’t escape.
You’ve cut prices, offered discounts, and even slashed costs. But you’re still sprinting just to survive.
Why? Because there’s a Thief you haven’t seen yet. And he’s silently killing everything yo have been sacrificing and building…
This story might hit closer to home than you’d like

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Woman on a chessboard surrounded by white pieces looking out through circular windows to an unclear sky.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Are You Growing Wealth or Consuming Income?

What if the way you’re running your business is setting you up for failure?
Most business owners focus on one thing—more income. More sales, more cash flow, more profit. Sounds smart, right?
But there’s a silent killer lurking in that mindset… one that’s destroyed once-thriving businesses overnight.
I’ve seen it happen. You probably have, too.
The worst part? Most people don’t even realize they’re making this mistake.
Here’s what you need to know before it’s too late.

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George smoking a cigar and a beer after successful delegation
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

George.. I just Had to Share This

Ever feel like you’re stuck doing tasks that aren’t moving your business forward? At last night’s Happy Hour, one business owner shared with me after the event how he planned to reclaim 15 hours a week just by applying the key lessons on delegation we discussed. He realised those hours spent on emails, bookkeeping, and admin were costing him real opportunities—like landing high-value clients.

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white bichon poode dog on top of a board table chasing her tail while surrounded by business people sitting around her.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Is Your Business Chasing its Tail?

This morning, I came home to my dog losing her mind with excitement—running back and forth, grabbing her toy, acting like a puppy again.
Cute, right?
But here’s the thing: I stepped out again a couple of hours later…for one minute. And she did the exact same over-the-top welcome.
It got me thinking about business—and why being “more of the same” is the kiss of death.

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family on boat in aegean sea looking at a beautiful sunset about to begin.
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

How Bad Do You Really Want It?

Most business owners say they want freedom.
Time. Peace. A business that doesn’t own them.
But saying you “want it” isn’t the same as doing what it takes.
This story is about a business owner working 16-hour days, ruining his marriage — and for what? Micromanaging his way into misery.
Wanting a sellable business is one thing.
Working for it — the right way — is another.
This one’s about the difference.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Cookie-Cutter Kills Companies

I’m not a tax consultant.
But I keep getting cold emails written like I am.
No research. No relevance. No unsubscribe link.
Just like the copy-paste advice that traps so many business owners in jobs they can’t quit.
If you’ve ever paid for “the answer” and got a mess that wasted your time instead…
You’ll get this.
This one’s for the 7-figure owner sick of templates and hungry for real traction.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Would an Investor Profit or Die in your Business?

Some teams are known for winning. Others… for ruining careers.
When the stakes are high and the spotlight is on, even the best talent dies in the wrong system.
So here’s the question:
If someone stepped into your business today—could they thrive without you?
Or would it bury them?
You may be running a machine… or a minefield.
Find out before it’s too late.
Take the 60-second Business Exit Readiness Survey

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

How One Employee Can Kill 10 Years of Momentum

He was right there.
Cornered.
Surrounded.
One call would’ve ended the mission.
But the decision-maker… choked.
Not because of bad intel.
Not because of a surprise ambush.
But because of turf.
What does this have to do with you and your business?
A lot more than you think.
Because if you’ve ever handed the reins to someone who couldn’t finish the job —
You’re about to meet your Rumsfeld moment.

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Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

The “Tora Bora Barrier” In Your Business

They had Bin Laden in their sights.
A thousand men ready to finish the job.
And the operation was called off—because of ego and turf wars.
This isn’t just history.
It’s a warning to every founder who aims to let go… but does so to the wrong person

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man in suit frustrated and annoyed staring at a confused CFO shuffling through stacks of paper
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

7 Figures, No Freedom. What Went Wrong

Spend more time with family. Earn more while working less. Fire bad clients. Buy back your time.”
You’ve heard all the promises.
You’ve probably even paid for them.
But if they’re so common, why do so few actually live them?
This one’s for the business owner who knows the script… but hasn’t seen the ending.
Let’s find out why. And fix it.

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woman at a computer last at night with a clock and twilight zone effect behind her almost like a horror movie scene
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Always On – The Curse of an All-Encompassing Business

You’re up late. You’re up early. And even when you’re out, you’re still “in.”
The phone buzzes. The inbox explodes. Your team can’t breathe without your approval.
It’s not just stress.
It’s business-induced sleep deprivation.
You built this company for freedom — so why does it feel like a trap?
Especially if you’re pushing 7 figures and feeling stuck in the grind..

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man in flooded water and mud splashing on him as stuck car spins wheels
Business Value
George Sotiropoulos

Too Busy to Move My Business Forward

You ever been stuck in the mud?
I mean really stuck—wheels spinning, engine revving, mud flying everywhere… and going nowhere.
That was me at a Boston concert in ’86.
It’s also most business owners I meet today.
They’re busy. Covered in stress.
But progress? Zero.
This post isn’t about music or mud.
It’s about the silent killer of your business valuation—and how to spot it before it buries you.

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