family owned business

Passing your business to the next generation is a major milestone—one that requires careful planning, strategy, and open communication. While the idea of keeping a business in the family is appealing, the reality is that many family-owned businesses don’t survive the transition. In fact, only 1 in 3 make it from the first to the second generation, and just 1 in 8make it to the third.

As a CFO with over 30 years of experience, I specialize in helping business owners navigate these transitions—av…

If you run a small or family-owned business, you’ve likely felt the hesitation around raising prices. Costs are climbing — payroll, materials, insurance, freight — and yet your pricing may still reflect a different economic reality. The math says one thing. Emotion says another.

Over the years, I’ve seen the same concerns surface in conversations with owners. Let’s address them directly and calmly.

Misconception #1: “Customers will all leave if we raise prices.”

This is the fear that keeps mo…

Once a business clears the first hurdle — leadership, operations, and scalability — private equity firms turn their attention to risk, clarity, and transition readiness.

This is where many family-owned businesses stall, even if they’re profitable.

Here’s what buyers look for next.

Solid financial performance and transparency
Consistent revenue, healthy margins, and a strong balance sheet matter — but just as important is clean, credible financial reporting.

Growth potential
Buyers want realist…

When private equity firms look at a family-owned business, most owners assume the numbers are all that matter.

They’re important — but they’re not where buyers start.

The first thing private equity looks for is whether the business can operate without the owner at the center of everything.

Here’s what that means in practice.

Strong management team
Buyers want a capable leadership team that can run the business, execute strategy, and make decisions without constant owner involvement.

Scalable…

As January comes to a close, I want to pause—not to look backward, but to get very intentional about what matters most right now.

If there’s one thing I want business owners to stay focused on in 2026, it’s this:

Cash flow awareness isn’t optional. It’s foundational.

Not in a reactive, anxiety-driven way—but in a clear, steady, “I know where I stand” way.

Over the years, working with small, family-owned, and private equity-backed businesses at Impact CFO, I’ve seen the same pattern repeat it…

At Impact CFO, we believe the strongest businesses are built where strategy, operations, and trusted partnerships meet. That’s why I was honored to be featured as a Power Partner in a recent newsletter published by Framework Legal—a firm that shares our belief that business is ultimately about people.

Framework Legal doesn’t just provide legal documents or transactional advice. Their entire approach is centered on understanding how a business truly operates, where it’s going, and how to protect…