The Recipe for a Defensible Valuation and a Strong Business
The "Great Eight" Ingredients The IRS doesn't just want a single number; they want to see your homework. Revenue Ruling 59-60 outlines eight specific ingredients that an appraiser must consider. Think of these as the recipe for a defensible valuation and a strong...
Bridging the Gap: A Loan Officer’s Guide to Purchase Price vs. Opinion of ValuePlaying for the Team
While not a common thing, as a loan officer, you’ve seen it happen: a motivated buyer and a ready seller bring you a signed Letter of Intent (LOI) with a $2M price tag, only for the independent appraisal (SBA or Conventional) to come back at $1.7M. This "valuation...
Playing for the Team
Playing for the team doesn’t mean losing your individuality. It means choosing to use your strengths in service of something bigger than yourself. Winning together feels different than winning alone. Shared wins last longer. They build pride, loyalty, and purpose. And...
Pause, Look Back, Move Forward: The Power of Gratitude in Goal-Setting
Before you rush into planning your next quarter or next big initiative, pause. Look back. Take stock. Appreciate the progress you’ve already made. The gratitude you practice today becomes the foundation that supports tomorrow’s success. Want to make gratitude part of...
Spotting the Red Flags: What the DOL Commonly Finds in ESOP Audits
If you run a company with an ESOP, the idea of a Department of Labor (DOL) audit can feel a little intimidating. These reviews—handled by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)—are meant to make sure your ESOP follows ERISA rules and that fiduciaries are...
Two Pro-ESOP Bills Pass the Senate with a Unanimous Vote
In a rare moment of total agreement, the U.S. Senate just passed two major pro-ESOP bills—S. 2403, the Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act, and S. 1728, the WORK Act—both with unanimous support. For ESOP trustees and owners, this is big news....
The Tariff Factor: What Business Owners and Advisors Need to Know About Its Impact on Value
Tariffs can quietly reshape what your business is worth. They influence both the numbers that drive a valuation and the level of risk investors or buyers are willing to accept. Whether you’re preparing for a sale, an ESOP, litigation, or financial reporting,...
Court-Worthy Valuations: Protection from Costly Mistakes
An attorney or CPA should carefully review a business valuation, as it plays a critical role in various legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divorce proceedings, shareholder disputes, estate planning, and tax reporting. A thorough review ensures that the...
The Power of Questions
Ask more questions and save time, improve relationships, increase understanding. Asking questions is one of the most powerful tools we have. Whether in our personal lives or in the workplace, knowing how to ask effectively can lead to better understanding, improved...
More Competition or More Quality SBA Loans?
Fintech, or non-banks using advanced technology are entering the market for SBA 7(a) and other commercial loans. Often, the process is streamlined and at least begins more straight forward. But, will these loans and lenders provide quality credit over the long haul...