There’s a moment every business owner hits. Not the breakdown. Not the burnout. The moment before that — when you realise you’re fooling yourself. This
This week’s stories all had one thing in common: They started in the wreckage. The mirror moment — when the problem wasn’t “out there,” but
Mark had everything most business owners dream of. A company pulling seven figures. A loyal team. Even a nice villa, with a view that made
Last Friday, during the SBC M&A Deep Dive, one of the participants said something that nailed what’s wrong with most business owners in our region:
At a recent event, I met the owner of one of the top PR agencies in the region. She was brilliant — sharp, strategic, and
“Mirror Mirror on the wall… what is my business telling me after all?” There’s a punch in the gut many business owners face – the
This week’s stories had one thing in common — control. The illusion of it. The cost of it. And what happens when you finally learn
Giles was the smartest owner in the room. In fact he would tell you .. the smartest in any room. Rules and contracts didn’t really
There’s an Owner I once knew — let’s call him Mark. Mark had built a thriving business over fifteen years. A loyal team, great clients,
Ever worked with someone who built a process for everything — except getting anything done? A client once told me about a manager like that.
We took my daughters to the community Halloween party yesterday. In the gaming section was a station where you threw a Velcro ball against a
I had drinks with my client the other week. He runs an eight-figure company. He doesn’t go to the office anymore. Takes his daughters to
Two businesses. Same profit. Different value. One was chaotic — late invoices, key clients dependent on the owner, constant fires. The other? Calm. Systemised. Predictable.
Could your business survive 90 days without you? Take some time to think about it… If not, how about 60 Days…. Or 30 Days…. Or
Tim Ferris – 4 hour work week, and Emyth are great reads but they are often misunderstood. Many business owners read them and think they
If so… there were much easier ways to do that… Such as volunteering at the local neighbourhood sweat shop. Or digging a swimming pool in
The first time I ever really delegated something important…it blew up in my face. The client wasn’t happy.The delivery was off.And the person I trusted
Yesterday, we talked about what happens when the best salesperson becomes the worst manager. He was a star broker. The kind of guy who could
He could sell ice to Eskimos.Charm, wit, energy — the full package.Every deal closed felt like a solo act. And when his company needed a
We got married in 2014 at a place called Stadion, a private home perched above the sea near Finikounda in Messinia. The owner, Kosta, was
Let’s play a little game. Walk into your office Monday morning. Now ask yourself one question: “Who am I in my business?” There are 3
Here’s a Harsh truth no one tells you: If your business needs you — it’s not worth s*** You might be pulling in high revenue.
It was one email. Just one I didn’t send. That was the moment everything started to change. I had a client who needed a report.
Meet Mark. Mid-40s. Successful. Owns a Seven-figure business. Well Respected in his industry. But he’s completely exhausted with a maxed out calendar. A phone that
I was having drinks with my “Koumbaro” (close friend) this Friday. I’ve spoken about him before He owns an 8 figure business that has tripled
Recap of this week’s stories and what they reveal about building a business that gives you your life back. This week, we didn’t talk about
Too many founders surround themselves with people just like them — and stall their growth. Here’s why having humility leads to smart business growth
I ran into someone last week I hadn’t seen in a long time. We used to be part of the same business networking group —
There’s a moment every business owner hits… That foggy middle ground where you’re busy — but stuck. Meetings, calls, pitching… yet no traction. So what
I was at a low point. Cash was tight. Confidence was thinner. Still, I forced myself out to meet an old colleague for a drink.
An investor asked for 36 months of revenue.
Simple request.
What he got?
Confusion.
Contradictions.
Spreadsheet gymnastics worthy of Cirque du Soleil.
He didn’t have time to play detective.
So he moved on.
And the seller — after years of sweat and sacrifice — walked away with a lowball offer.
Why?
Because confusion kills deals.
And risk? It gets priced in.
It’s every founder’s dream:
More leads.
More sales.
More growth.
Until it becomes a nightmare.
Deadlines slip.
Customers walk.
Your team burns out — or you do.
The truth is, more business doesn’t always mean a better business.
If your systems, structure, and team can’t absorb the wave — it will drown you.
Here’s how to know if your business is built to scale… or barely treading water
“It hit me like a brick. Years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice — and when they presented me the number for my business, I had next to nothing to show for it.”
That’s the gut punch most founders don’t see coming.
Because the market doesn’t buy hustle.
It buys assets.
If your business collapses without you, you don’t have an asset — you have a job with stress.
He’s the boss.
He’s the owner.
He’s “free.”
Except… He’s not.
On vacation, He’s in the hotel business centre.
At dinner, He’s glued to his phone.
His kids know the top of his head better than his face.
Dysfunctional independence isn’t freedom — it’s a trap.
If you can’t fire yourself from your own business, you don’t own it…
It owns you.
Take 60 seconds to find out where you stand.
Many business owners pride themselves on being “their own boss.” It’s a matter of pride to know you went on your own and have been
The coach meant well.
No two-way players. Keep everyone safe. Play smart.
One problem:
The offensive line were giants.
The defensive line?
A 5-foot, 121-pound nose tackle.
The result?
We got crushed.
In business, it’s no different.
Good intentions can blind you to the brutal reality on the field — and by the time you see it, the clock’s almost out.
Here’s the hard question:
Are you even playing the right game?
At harvest time, there’s no time left to explain.
No time to point at the good patches.
No time to hide the weak spots.
The field gets sorted — wheat to the barn, weeds to the fire.
Your business will face its own harvest moment.
Call it exit. Call it succession. Call it the buyer’s due diligence.
The only question is:
Will you reap the reward — or watch it all burn?
It wasn’t the numbers that killed the deal.
It wasn’t the valuation, the brand, or the market potential.
It was the team.
An investor walked away from a million-dollar deal—not because the business was bad, but because the management team was a train wreck.
If you think your biggest risks are only revenue or profit, think again.
Here’s the brutal truth about what buyers look at—and where it can all fall apart.
Sign up to receive daily insights, actionable strategies, and expert advice to help you free up your time, boost profits, and build a sellable business.