Field notes
Insights for owners who'd rather read once than ask twice.
Plain-language writing on the operating standards that make small businesses bankable, buyable, and finally yours.
- Capital Readiness·April 12, 2026·9 min read
The Quality of Earnings Checklist Every $1M–$10M Owner Should Run Once a Year
A buyer or lender's QoE team will rebuild your numbers anyway. Doing it yourself first, once a year, is the cheapest insurance an owner buys.
Read → - Capital Readiness·March 28, 2026·7 min read
What Your Books Need to Look Like Before an SBA Lender Will Say Yes
SBA underwriters don't reject businesses. They reject packages. Here's exactly what a lender-ready set of books contains.
Read → - Exit Readiness·March 15, 2026·8 min read
Owner's Earnings, SDE, and EBITDA: Which Number Actually Sells Your Business
The same business sells at three wildly different multiples depending on which earnings metric the buyer uses. Pick the right one before they pick for you.
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