Growing or selling a business isn't just the next step, it's an entirely different game. Discover what it means to become FieldReady™, why investors evaluate your business differently than entrepreneurs do, and how the FieldReady™ Assessment and Scorecard can help you prepare for your next opportunity.

Many business owners believe they need an adviser who specializes in their exact industry. While industry knowledge has its place, it's rarely the factor that creates the biggest financial outcome. Learn why expertise in finance, transactions, and investor expectations often matters far more than speaking your industry's language.

The entrepreneurial journey is one of trial-and-error. If you’re like me and you studied business at a university, it takes about one day on-the-job in the “real world” before you realize that a lot of what you learned doesn't apply to the day-to-day life of most self-made business owners. 

I don’t want to take away from my undergraduate business education. I certainly learned a lot of the technical building blocks, accounting, financing, marketing, calculus, etc. But I really think it was in the workplace where I learned many of the most important lessons for business, and I think most business owners probably feel the same.

In this post, I want to talk about a certain kind of lesson that a lot of us find most impactful: the anti-lesson.

What really drives business owners to keep going through risk, setbacks, and high stakes decisions? In this post, Craig shares three anonymized client stories that highlight the grit, perseverance, and ambition behind remarkable business journeys.

We had the term sheet. The finish line was in sight. Then a few minutes of casual, off-script conversation turned a confident lender into a hard “no.” This post breaks down the investor mindset—what bankers and buyers actually hear, why entrepreneurs accidentally trigger red flags, and how having a bilingual adviser at the table can keep your deal from getting lost in translation.

Profit does not always mean peace of mind. Many growing businesses look healthy on paper but still feel constant cash pressure because invoicing lags behind the work being delivered. This is often the #1 Small Business Invoicing Mistake. In this post, Becca explains the operational billing issues that often cause the strain and the simple fixes that can help.

If you’re selling your company, more information isn’t always better. One internet search can create a dozen conflicting opinions, and a whole lot of indecision as a result. Here’s how we educate owners without overwhelming them, narrow the field to a few great options, and help you make a decision you’ll be proud of.

Hiring outside expertise can be one of the highest-ROI moves you make, or a frustrating expense. Here’s how to evaluate hourly, retainer, fixed-fee, and success-fee structures so incentives stay aligned and you pay for progress.

Culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s how you listen, communicate, and recognize progress. These practical tools and habits help you protect your team from burnout and keep momentum strong.

Growing up in a family business, I thought I understood how small businesses worked. But working inside valuation, forecasting, and buyer preparation showed me just how different the owner’s view is from how buyers and bankers see the same business.

Private equity gets blamed for a lot. Sometimes that’s fair. But if you’re not selling yet—and you’re trying to grow—lower middle market PE has a practical playbook worth borrowing.

I grew up watching my parents pour everything into their business.

The long hours, stress, and constant risk. When they finally did sell their company, they walked away with far less than it was truly worth. Now, I help other owners protect the legacy of their hard work so their families don’t face the same story.

If you run an automotive tooling shop, traditional P&Ls don’t show you which projects are burning cash. This post walks through a practical, project-based financial model so you can see true margins, plan cash needs, and make smarter decisions about quoting, staffing, and capacity.

What started in 2023 as an experiment of bringing together business owners in a confidential, no-pressure environment has grown into an annual gathering of business owners and their professional advisers seeking to navigate the terrain of building, scaling, and eventually exiting their companies.

We’re thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Business Owner Forum, happening Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at the beautiful Orchard Lake Country Club in Southeast Michigan.

From a one-man band to a full team, Doescher Group continues to grow. With Doescher Advisors joining us, we now offer executive coaching alongside our Evolve and Exit services to better serve self-made business owners.

What can a kid-run lemonade stand teach us about running a successful business? From finding customers to building a brand, making smart investments, and scaling wisely, these lighthearted lessons from my daughters’ summer stand might surprise you with their real-world relevance.

The automotive industry’s once-reliable supply chains are facing unprecedented challenges—from semiconductor shortages to rising logistics costs and tariffs. For small to mid-sized suppliers, these disruptions create ripple effects that can choke cash flow and threaten survival. Learn how to protect your business and keep operations moving, even in uncertain times.

Politics might not be your favorite topic, but it’s one your business can’t afford to ignore. From shifting subsidies to evolving regulations, political forces can significantly impact your company’s value and stability. In this blog post, we explore how to recognize political vulnerabilities in your business model, avoid overreliance on temporary programs, and ask the right questions to safeguard your future.

International trade might seem like a distant concept, but its effects are closer to home than you think. In the US or North America, there are simply many items that cannot be acquired locally. Our interdependence is here to stay. Even if you yourself don’t import or export something, your suppliers or clients probably do, and this can have a big impact on your bottom line.

Running a small business means juggling endless tasks, but AI can help you work smarter, not harder. AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about eliminating repetitive, time-consuming tasks so you can focus on growing your business.

Learn how to automate emails, streamline research, and simplify your to-do list with AI—no tech expertise required!