This article explains what makes a business truly sellable: predictable leads, documented processes, and a capable team that runs without the owner. It highlights why many small businesses function more like jobs than assets and stresses that the more a company can operate independently, the more valuable it becomes to buyers.

Go on craigslist and look at furnished apartments, condos, and homes for rent. Note the number of bedrooms, location, parking etc. Look at condos in great locations. Look at homes near beaches or conference centers. Places near campus in a college town. Those are good targets because they will rent for much more[...]

This is an analytical approach to identifying and exploring new business opportunities. This is designed around service-based businesses but the concepts can be applied to any business. In order to compete you need to have a competitive advantage in one of three areas: speed, price or quality. The goal here is to[...]

Staining decks is a business you can bootstrap for almost no money. Buy a web domain and get hosting for $1.99 per month. Put together a Wordpress website using a free template. Make a logo and some marketing material for free on Canva. Send a Google My Business postcard to your apartment and build out your[...]

Delegation + crappy systems = more problems. Delegation + good systems = more productivity. Delegation is important and it is the only way to scale. But if you delegate before you create bombproof systems you’ll do nothing but amplify your problems and stress. So don’t just start to delegate and figure it out as[...]

Your hypothesis (that there is a hole in the market for you) is still an educated guess until you get out and sell it and prove it. Don’t invest heavily until you know the demand is there and you have the customers to prove it. You can (and you…

These are all businesses and markets that I love. The competition is weak. The market is growing. The costs and risks are low. The odds are good. You can analyze the market and make accurate decisions on where there is opportunity to thrive. You can win. Start small. Start low skilled and if you don't have any[...]