by John F Kettley | Mar 4, 2026 | Exit Strategy
OWNER DEPENDENCEY IS THE BIGGEST HIDDEN VALUE HAIRCUT If the business can’t run without the founder, it isn’t really a business in the eyes of a buyer. It’s a job, with payroll and liabilities attached. This is one of the biggest gaps between how owners see value and...
by John F Kettley | Mar 2, 2026 | SMEs
TURNOVER IS VANITY. PROFIT IS PROOF. Turnover is a loud number. It’s easy to celebrate, easy to post and easy to hide behind. Profit is quieter. Profit is where the truth lives. I see the same pattern in businesses that come across my desk. Revenue is growing,...
by John F Kettley | Feb 19, 2026 | SMEs
The shift from broke to wealthy is tactical If you’ve ever spent years chasing money simply to stay ahead of bills, you’ll understand the constant background noise it creates. You work harder, push longer hours, and assume that somewhere ahead there’s a line you’ll...
by John F Kettley | Feb 12, 2026 | Exit Strategy
Building a business is not the same as building wealth Most business owners spend years focused on building a business. Fewer spend time thinking clearly about whether that business is actually building real world wealth. I didn’t spot the difference early in my...
by John F Kettley | Feb 5, 2026 | SMEs
Zombie businesses didn’t disappear after Covid. They learned how to survive without really moving forward. In 2026, they are easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for. Turnover creeps up at low single digit growth. Margins are thin but stable. Owners take a...
