
Drunks, Foxholes and Business
Many entrepreneurs dream of passing down their business. But if it’s burning you out — your kids won’t want it. Discover how to turn your business into a valuable asset they’d be proud to own

Many entrepreneurs dream of passing down their business. But if it’s burning you out — your kids won’t want it. Discover how to turn your business into a valuable asset they’d be proud to own

If you had the same amount of cash in the bank as your business is worth — would you buy it again?
If not, why are you still giving it your time, energy, and life?

You don’t need more features.
You need more freedom.
As Robert Skrob pointed out in an email he sent out this morning…
What clients really buy — and what founders really want —
Is transformation.
Here’s what that looks like in your business…
And how to make it happen before Q4 ends.

The mall was dead today.
First day of school — but no parents, no buzz, no business.
Why?
The parking fees went up.
Now everyone’s gone.
One tiny short-term decision is destroying long-term value.
Are you doing the same in your business?.

Most founders overcomplicate their business and chase low-value customers. Discover how to simplify, systemize, and scale your business for profit, positioning, and exit — even if you’re stuck in the grind today

“Just pick a dress!”
That’s me this morning — negotiating like a hostage negotiator with a 4-year-old who couldn’t decide what to wear.
What would have worked much better? A uniform. A hard system (which she will be required to wear starting next week Tuesday).
And that’s when it hit me —
Most founders don’t have uniforms in their business.
They’ve got chaos, decisions, firefighting… every single day.
Here’s the wake-up call (and the solution)

“Why are you grabbing their shoes?”
My wife wasn’t wrong — and her comment hit harder than I expected.
Because I’ve seen too many business owners make the exact same mistake — and stay stuck for years because of it.
Read on and see if this common life and business killer looks familiar and what you can do about it.

“I didn’t want the business. I just wanted my dad.”
A reader sent me that after my last post — and it remined me of the song Cat in the Cradle.
His father built a profitable company from nothing.
But it took everything from him.
Time. Health. Connection. Life.
When he finally offered it to his son —
the answer was no.
Not because the business didn’t make money.
But because no one else could survive it.
Founders, if you’re building something no one wants to inherit…
Maybe it’s time to change what you’re building

He built it for his son.
His son didn’t want it.
And now the business is gone.
Founders — your legacy only matters if someone actually wants it.
Let me show you how to make sure it’s worth passing on — or selling for millions.

I haven’t trimmed my beard in two weeks.
Not because I’m lazy.
Because the only guy I trust is out of town — and I’d rather look like a werewolf than let the wrong hands touch my face.
That’s loyalty.
And if your business doesn’t have customers who feel that way about you — you’re leaving a goldmine untapped.
Let me tell you why the best clients are the “wolfmen”…
(And why you never, ever let them go.)

I saw a restaurant commit business suicide.
I watched a project lose its sponsor and still gain value.
And I spent 7 weeks away — not because I’m rich.
But because I built for control.
Most entrepreneurs build themselves a cage.
Q4 is about unlocking the door — and stepping into open roads and open skies.
If you want real control over your time, money, and relationships…
Stay tuned.

What if the client you’re afraid to lose… is actually the one suffocating your business?
I’ve fired clients before.
Some readers hated me for saying that.
Some unsubscribed.
But what happened next was a lesson in revenue, sanity, and scaling.
Blindly believing that the “client is always right” can be a recipe for killing your business margins and your family life.

The Boss You Should’ve Fired 6 Months Ago
Your client doesn’t pay your salary — so why are they treating you like an employee?
Here’s how one midnight meltdown showed me exactly who needed to go — and what happened when I pulled the trigger

The Boss You Should’ve Fired 6 Months Ago
What do you do when your CEO storms out, ghosts the board, and then casually shows back up expecting his job back?
Let me tell you what one founder did — and how it cost him everything

They cut $150K in “non-essentials”…
Then lost $5.2M in company value.
When margin obsession becomes value destruction — here’s the mistake they made, and how to avoid it.

Save $0.30. Lose $5.00.
That’s what one founder did — and it cost him millions.
The “smart” tax deduction that killed his valuation — and how to avoid the same trap

People paid this business to work for free.
And they loved every minute of it.
I didn’t meet the owners.
Because they didn’t need to be there.
Let me tell you what I saw — and why this seasonal farm is far more valuable than it looks

Last night I kept waking up sweating.
And no, it wasn’t stress — it was a plastic mattress cover in 15°C weather.
But it reminded me of the kind of nights I used to have…
When my business was the thing keeping me awake.

11 years married.
7 weeks traveling with my family.
And a virus that knocked me down hard yesterday.
No, I don’t have a complete “hands-off” business yet.
But I do already have control over how I spend my time.
Here’s what that really looks like — and why it matters more than ever.

While some business owners are stuck answering emails on vacation, my friend flipped a house in Greece and walked away with €150K.
All because his business gave him something most owners don’t have: Full Ability to Spend His Time as he Wishes.
Here’s how you get it too.

He went in for a routine surgery.
The doctor made a mistake.
Now the business is dead…
And the family has nothing.
This is why you build something that can outlive you.
Read the full story — and ask yourself one hard question.

The moment a restaurant stops treating you like a guest — and starts treating you like a transaction — they’ve already lost.
This week in Greece, I watched one of my old favourites collapse into mediocrity.
The reason? A slice of watermelon.

Most businesses chase transactions.
Smart ones? They build cult followings.
I just watched a beachside restaurant out-earn, outlast, and out-love its competition — without slashing prices or begging for tips.
Here’s what they really sell… and what your business could be missing.

One seafood restaurant in Greece raised prices — and still packed every table.
The others? Empty chairs and desperate staff.
Here’s the small decision that made the difference — and how it applies to your business today.

He had 18 staff, $4M in revenue, and not enough cash to pay himself right.
The problem wasn’t growth.
It was margin starvation — and it nearly sank him.
Find out what we did (and what most owners avoid until it’s too late).

“I think we’re selling to the wrong people…”
That’s what Mark told me over coffee.
He was burned out, buried in support tickets, and wondering why all the growth efforts were going nowhere.
He didn’t need a new product.
He just needed to fire the wrong clients.
Here’s what happened next.

What if your most profitable move was firing your biggest client?
That’s what Rebecca discovered.
One client was draining her energy, hijacking her time, demanding discounts, and blaming her for everything.
She was terrified to cut the cord.
45 days later?
– 3 new clients
– Higher profit margins
– More energy
– And peace she hadn’t felt in years
Sometimes subtraction is the real multiplier.

A beachside restaurant went to war with the club next door.
They got what they wanted… but lost everything in the process.
A cautionary tale about envy, strategy, and why scarcity thinking kills.

What if the reason you’re burned out isn’t your workload — but your customer base?
Sam thought he wanted to sell.
What he really needed was a better client mix.
Read what happened when we changed just one thing

Is your business bleeding — but no one will tell you?
Referrals down? Customers ghosting? Team afraid to speak up?
This isn’t about “improvements.”
It’s about brutal truths.
And whether you’ve built a real business — or just a house of silence.

Is your business worth less than your morning coffee?
It’s not a joke—it’s a wake-up call. Many business owners think they’re building a goldmine, only to find out their business isn’t worth what they thought.
Want to know if you’re on the right track? I’m sharing how to avoid wasting time and money.
See more inside

Imagine waking up to a knock on the door that changes everything. A sudden tragedy, a business in chaos, and a once-secure future crumbling. One family learned the hard way what happens when a business isn’t a true asset.
Could your business survive 90 days without you? If not, its value might be shockingly low. Discover how to secure your legacy before it’s too late…

What’s killing your chances of selling your business? It’s not what you think…
One business owner thought he was set to retire—until I told him his business might not be worth anything. Profits alone won’t guarantee a sale if you’re making these critical mistakes.
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your exit plan? Discover the hidden factors that could keep you from cashing out when you’re ready…

This post is tough to write, but the lesson is invaluable. A tragic accident turned a joyful celebration into an unimaginable loss. It made me reflect: how often do we act recklessly, unaware of the consequences? Also for those of us running a business, remember: life is unpredictable. Are you prepared for the unexpected? Reflect on your choices today. Read on for more.

What would you do if your top client was more trouble than they’re worth? This week, we explored the bold move of firing a #1 customer who drained resources and blocked better opportunities. Would you have the courage to cut ties with a PIA client? Caroline and Susan’s story is fictional, but the lessons are real. Sometimes, letting go is the key to unlocking growth, as Renee discovered in a true story.

Caroline had enough. An 8 a.m. meeting, endless waiting, and then… she did the unthinkable. For the first time, Susan was left speechless.
What did Carline do to her biggest client? And why did she feel freedom instead of fear?

How do you handle your most difficult customers, especially when they start affecting other opportunities for your business? Caroline was at a breaking point, torn between a demanding client and a crucial new deal. How do you discern and what freedom do you have when it comes to who you do business with? It’s a theme we touch on this week and in part 1 of this series.

For those of you in the US, there is a big demographic Whale that will severely affect you if you are a 55 year old + business owner looking to comfortably retire by selling your business anytime in the next 5-10 years.
Does your business have what it takes to stand out and attract investors? Click to find out more..
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