Finance & Exit
The First 100 Days: Why Most Small Business Acquisitions Fail After the Deal Closes
M&A deal volume hit a record high in Q2 2026, but 70 to 90 percent of acquisitions still fail to deliver value. Here is...
Category
Finance & Exit
Margin, cash flow, valuation, acquisitions, and preparing a business to be worth buying.
22 articles
Finance & Exit
The 2026 M&A Window: Why Business Owners Have Never Had a Better Environment to Sell
M&A market confidence is at a six-year high, cross-border deal volume rose 47% year over year, and 79% of business owners are considering selling. Here...
Finance & Exit
The 2026 Acquisition Playbook: How Smart Business Owners Are Buying Growth Instead of Building It
The M&A market is at a six-year high in 2026. Interest rates have fallen, sellers are motivated, and valuations have stabilized. Here is how business...
Finance & Exit
What Every Business Owner Should Know About Buying or Selling a Business in 2026
The M&A market is shifting in 2026. Whether you're looking to acquire a competitor or position your business for sale, here's what you need to know...
Finance & Exit
The Hidden Cost of Not Having Standard Operating Procedures
The Hidden Cost of Not Having Standard Operating Procedures. Running a business means managing dozens of moving parts every day. The owners who build...
Finance & Exit
Business Exit Planning: Preparing for a Profitable Sale
Whether you plan to sell in two years or ten, the work you do now to prepare your business for exit will determine how much it is worth and how smoothly...
Finance & Exit
Why Client Retention Is More Profitable Than Client Acquisition
Why Client Retention Is More Profitable Than Client Acquisition. Client retention is not about perfection. It is about consistency, communication, and...
Finance & Exit
The Cost of Doing Nothing During Economic Uncertainty
The Cost of Doing Nothing During Economic Uncertainty. Economic conditions affect every business decision. From hiring to pricing to inventory, the...
Finance & Exit
How to Validate a Business Idea Before You Invest Real Money
How to Validate a Business Idea Before You Invest Real Money. Being an entrepreneur is one of the most rewarding and challenging paths you can take. The...
Finance & Exit
The Financial Reports Every Small Business Owner Should Read Monthly
Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether you can read that story and use […]
Finance & Exit
How to Manage Cash Flow So You Never Run Out of Money
Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether you can read that story and use it to make decisions. At Elixir...
Finance & Exit
The Profit First Model and Why It Works for Small Businesses
The Profit First Model and Why It Works for Small Businesses. Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether you...
Finance & Exit
How to Build a Financial Cushion for Your Business
How to Build a Financial Cushion for Your Business. Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether you can read...
Finance & Exit
The Common Financial Mistakes Small Business Owners Make
The Common Financial Mistakes Small Business Owners Make. Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether you can...
Finance & Exit
How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement Like a Business Consultant
How to Read a Profit and Loss Statement Like a Business Consultant. Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether...
Finance & Exit
Why Your Business Needs a Monthly Financial Review Meeting
Why Your Business Needs a Monthly Financial Review Meeting. Your financial statements tell a story about your business. The question is whether you can...
Finance & Exit
Understanding the Difference Between Revenue Profit and Cash Flow
Financial literacy is one of the most important skills a business owner can develop. Understanding your numbers helps you make better decisions, avoid...
Finance & Exit
The Financial Realities of Franchise Ownership Nobody Talks About
The Financial Realities of Franchise Ownership Nobody Talks About. Owning a franchise is different from starting a business from scratch. The model is...
Finance & Exit
Equipment Financing vs Leasing: What Is Best for Your Business
Equipment Financing vs Leasing: What Is Best for Your Business. Funding your business growth does not always mean taking on debt. There are multiple...
Finance & Exit
How to Create Financial Projections That Impress Lenders
How to Create Financial Projections That Impress Lenders. Funding your business growth does not always mean taking on debt. There are multiple paths to...
Finance & Exit
How to Serve International Clients From a Local Office
The global economy creates opportunities for businesses of every size. Whether you are serving international clients remotely or exploring export...
Finance & Exit
How to Prepare Your Business for Sale Even If You Are Not Selling Yet
How to Prepare Your Business for Sale Even If You Are Not Selling Yet. Every business owner makes strategic decisions every day, whether they realize it...
Questions
Finance & Exit FAQs
How many finance & exit articles are there?
This archive currently holds 22 articles on finance & exit, part of a library of 336 across every topic we cover.
Who writes these articles?
Dr. Connor Robertson, founder and lead consultant at Elixir Consulting Group, drawing on hands-on implementation work with owner-led businesses.
Do you offer consulting in finance & exit?
Yes. Reading is a fine start, but the articles describe systems we install directly with clients. Book a consult or call (412) 387-7656 to talk about your specific situation.
How often is this archive updated?
New articles are published regularly. The newest work appears first on this page and on the main blog index.