by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Business Ownership, Small Business
A few months ago, I had a conversation that has stayed with me and serves as a powerful reminder of why business continuity planning—and specifically keyman insurance—cannot be overlooked. Real Life Example I was talking with a small business owner in his early 30s....
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Business Growth, Customer Relationships, Small Business
Customer retention is the backbone of sustainable growth for small businesses. Keeping existing customers engaged is not only more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, but it also boosts profitability—studies show that a 5% increase in retention can lift profits by...
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Budgets and Financial Tools, Opportunity, Results
Strategies to Analyze, Plan, and Thrive into 2026 As the final quarter of 2025 begins, businesses face a critical inflection point: the opportunity to solidify year-end results while laying the groundwork for long-term success in 2026. The closing months of any year...
by Lea Strickland | Oct 2, 2025 | Budgets and Financial Tools, Cash Management
Laying the Foundation You’ve built the framework of your business, structure, operations, and plans. Now, it’s time to pin down the details. Your operational plans serve as the backbone for your budget and forecasting financial needs, including both...
by Lea Strickland | Sep 30, 2025 | Business Articles, Business Management, Operations, Small Business
The Two TOCs You Need to Understand In the face of global disruptions, rising tariffs, and an evolving economic landscape, American manufacturers and small businesses are rethinking their supply chain strategies. At the center of this transformation are two critical...
by Lea Strickland | Sep 25, 2025 | Business Articles, Leadership, Small Business, Strategy
Companies today face the challenge of selling products or services while standing for something. Many businesses adopt core values such as patriotism, “America First,” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), social justice, and environmental...
