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family owned business
Inventory, Pricing & Tariffs: What Every Business Needs to Watch Right Now
Thanks to everyone who joined me for the May 20th Ask the CFO! Whether you were on live or catching the replay, I’m always grateful for your time and engagement.
This session turned into a rich conversation that touched on three critical areas impacting small to mid-sized businesses today: inventory management, pricing and costing strategy, and the evolving landscape around tariffs and supply chains.
Let’s break down the big takeaways.
Inventory Optimization Isn’t Optional
I started our di…
Is Your Pricing Strategy Helping or Hurting Your Bottom Line?
Pricing & Margin Analysis: The Overlooked Lever of Operational Excellence
For many business owners, pricing is more gut instinct than strategy. You charge what the market seems to allow, adjust when competitors shift, and hope for healthy margins in the end. But here's the truth: without intentional pricing and margin analysis, you're leaving money—and stability—on the table.
Operational excellence isn’t just about cutting costs or improving efficiency. It’s also about knowing your value and p…
Are You Holding Too Much Inventory—or Not Enough?
Inventory Management & Optimization: Finding the Right Balance for Your Business
For many business owners, inventory feels like a moving target. Hold too much, and you tie up cash in product that collects dust. Hold too little, and you risk lost sales, delayed delivery, or missed production deadlines. Getting inventory “just right” isn’t just good operations—it’s a critical part of financial strategy.
As a CFO working with privately held and family-owned businesses, I’ve seen firsthand how inv…
Turning Uncertainty into Strategy: How Budgeting and Forecasting Drive Operational Success
Running a business comes with uncertainty—economic shifts, supply chain disruptions, unexpected expenses, and periods of unpredictable revenue. But the businesses that weather these storms aren’t lucky; they’re prepared. That preparation starts with a strong budgeting and forecasting process.
I’ve spent decades working with privately held and family-owned businesses, many of which operate without a real roadmap. They rely on instinct or past experience instead of a forward-looking plan. But i…
Getting Ready for the Change: How Long Should You Prepare for a Business Transition?
Succession planning isn’t something that happens overnight. Whether passing the business to a family member, selling to an external buyer, or transitioning to employee ownership, proper preparation takes time—often more than business owners expect. The earlier you start planning, the more control you have over the outcome and the smoother the transition will be.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for a Transition?
The ideal timeframe for preparing a business transition is 3 to 5 years before the…
Will Your Business Survive the Next Generation? Here’s How to Plan for It
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…
Struggling with Cash Flow? Here’s What You Need to Know
Cash flow is the single most important financial factor in determining whether a business thrives or struggles. Yet, many business owners focus only on revenue and profit, overlooking the critical role cash flow plays in daily operations. A company can be profitable on paper but still face financial distress if it lacks the cash needed to cover expenses when they arise.
Understanding cash flow—and how to manage it effectively—allows businesses to stay ahead of challenges, seize opportunit…
Why Every Business Needs a 13-Week Cash Flow Forecast
Cash flow is the foundation of any business’s financial health. It determines whether a company can pay its bills, invest in growth, and navigate unexpected challenges. Many businesses struggle not because they lack revenue, but because they don’t have enough cash on hand at the right time. Without a clear picture of where money is coming from and where it’s going, business owners risk making decisions that could put their company in financial jeopardy.
A 13-week cash flow forecast provid…
Smart Debt Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know
Debt can be a powerful tool for growth—when managed correctly. For small and family-owned businesses, optimizing debt management is essential to maintaining stability, supporting expansion, and ensuring long-term success. But without a solid strategy, debt can quickly become overwhelming and hinder progress.
In this newsletter, I want to share actionable tips on how to optimize debt management to empower businesses to thrive without unnecessary financial stress.
Key Strategies to Manage …
Debt as a Tool for Succession Planning: Financing a Smooth Ownership Transition
Succession planning is a critical step for any business, especially family-owned and privately held companies. Whether you're passing the business to the next generation, selling to an external buyer, or transitioning to employee ownership, having a solid financial strategy is essential. One powerful but often overlooked tool in succession planning is debt financing. When used strategically, debt can facilitate a smooth transition, ensuring business continuity and long-term success.
How D…
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