The founders who win aren’t lucky — they’re prepared.

Hey Reader! Safe to say the below post broke my LinkedIn record. 😎
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I wrote a post that stirred up more opinions than I expected. (268k impressions and counting) It started with a conversation I had with a family member who said, “I’m thinking of selling the business in four or five years.”

When I asked, “What’s your plan?” they didn’t have one. No roadmap, no numbers, no plan to increase value.

In the post, I pointed out that most private equity firms won’t even look at you unless your EBITDA exceeds $4M. That’s not revenue, that’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

It ruffled a few feathers. Some folks disagreed, some shared edge cases, and a few wanted to argue semantics. But honestly, I appreciate it. Debate means people care.

My point is, founders hear stories about exceptions (tuck-ins, niche funds, roll-ups) and assume it’ll apply to them. But the mainstream private equity market sets thresholds for a reason.

If you want real options, you have to build toward those numbers, not hope you’ll be the exception.

If you prepare to meet that benchmark, you’ll be in the best position whether you end up selling to PE, a strategic, or a family office.

Preparation at that level gives you leverage.

Now let’s get into the rest of it. 👇

• Preparation Gives You Leverage
• Hot Takes
• Top Articles For You This Month
• Tech To Help You

🧠 Preparation Gives You Leverage

A thought that’s been sitting with me lately: most founders overestimate what they can fix later and underestimate what they can shape right now.

Preparation is the difference. It’s not about obsessing over spreadsheets or building the perfect five-year plan, it’s about creating conditions that give you options.

When you know your numbers, understand your position in the market, and think ahead about what a buyer, lender, or investor will value, you start leading from a place of clarity instead of reaction. That clarity compounds.

Leverage doesn’t show up the day you sell. It’s built in the years before, in the decisions you make about hiring, systems, and profitability. The founders who prepare early don’t just get better outcomes; they get more control.

That’s the quiet advantage of preparation: it buys you choice. Choice is what every founder is really working for.
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🔥 Hot Takes ⤵️

What’s the difference between a CFO, a fractional CFO, and a consultant?

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In this new video, I break down the costs, benefits, and real-world scenarios so you can see which option actually makes sense for your business.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why a full-time CFO is expensive, slow to adapt, and limited to one person’s skill set.
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• How a fractional CFO gives you executive-level leadership for a fraction of the cost.
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• Why a fractional CFO is not a consultant and how the role goes beyond advice to execution.
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• The firm advantage: why a fractional CFO backed by a team of experts is more flexible than hiring an individual.
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• Real-world examples from fundraising and acquisitions to scaling, turnarounds, and international expansion.

Whether you’re raising capital, scaling fast, or looking for strategic financial leadership without the full-time cost, this quick breakdown will help you make the right call.

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🧠 Top Articles

These are the three reads I’d put in front of any founder trying to grow smarter, not just bigger. I know, I know... these are all CFO-related, but I think these are important questions to address as we prepare to enter a new year. I'll put a fresh spin on the topics next month! --->

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⚙️ Tech To Help You

Not every tool is worth the learning curve. These are the latest incredible ones that myself and our clients are loving!

I hope something here helps you build leverage, whether that’s in how you plan your exit, run your finances, or build your leadership team.

If something sparked a question, reply to this email or reach out on social. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Your Friend and Fan,

P.S. – If you’re under $2M/year, you’re probably not ready for CFO-level support just yet. But if you’re past that point and still relying on instinct over strategy, it’s time for a different kind of help. Click here to explore working with us. First come, first serve.

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