News & Insights
Massive Data Breach Exposes Billions
Posted on October 15, 2024
Massive Data Breach Exposes Billions Key takeaways The National Public Data Company suffered a massive data breach affecting nearly three billion records. Most people are likely affected at some level by this breach. The breach compromised sensitive personal information including names, addresses, social security numbers, and historical data—data that is commonly used for identify […]
Centerline Market Update 2024 Q4
Posted on October 14, 2024
S&P 500: Best Start to a Year Since 1997 US stocks are off to their best start to a year since 1997. US equities are on a five-month winning streak, in part to a broadening of the market and the Fed cutting interest rates for the first time since 2020. In looking forward, the market […]
Listening & Leveling: How Customer Feedback Turned a $50 Idea into a 7-Figure Business
Posted on October 3, 2024
In the early days of Airbnb, co-founder Brian Chesky went to surprising lengths to gather customer feedback. He would stay with Airbnb hosts to experience the platform as they did, asking detailed questions about their needs and frustrations. Chesky’s commitment to listening wasn’t just about making improvements—it was about truly understanding the customer experience in […]
Why a Strong Moat Made Boondockers Welcome an Acquisition Target
Posted on October 3, 2024
What Makes You Tough to Compete With? It’s that thing customers value but competitors can’t seem to match. For Apple, it’s their integrated ecosystem of devices and services. Apple’s ecosystem binds together iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and services like iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Pay into a seamless experience. Once you own one Apple […]
From Gretzky to Popovich: What Sports Legends Teach Us About Business Value
Posted on August 5, 2024
From Gretzky to Popovich: What Sports Legends Teach Us About Business Value Have you ever wondered why some athletes struggle to transition from player to coach? This challenge isn’t just limited to sports; it’s a critical shift that many business owners need to make to build a valuable business. Take Wayne Gretzky, for example. Despite […]
FA Magazine’s 2024 America’s Top RIAs!
Posted on July 15, 2024
Centerline has been ranked #397 in the FA Magazine’s America’s Top RIAs list for 2024! See Article for full list: here
Centerline Market Update 2024 Q3
Posted on July 15, 2024
This newsletter is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to the firm’s investment advisory services. This document is provided for informational purposes only and represents only a summary of the topics discussed. The contents should not be construed as personalized investment advice or recommendations. Rather, they simply reflect the opinions and […]
How First Impressions Can Impact Your Company’s Value
Posted on July 2, 2024
How First Impressions Can Impact Your Company’s Value When potential acquirers first evaluate your business, most will quickly categorize it into a specific industry. This initial classification can significantly impact the value they place on your business. Some industries are inherently perceived as more valuable than others, and if your business is placed in a […]
As featured in Forbes 2024 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Posted on June 10, 2024
https://www.forbes.com Data provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC – Data is based on information from a 12 month period ending 6/30/23 and awarded April 2024. (#45 in Kentucky – Andy Arnold, MBA, AIF®, CEPA®. Centerline Wealth Advisors, Louisville, KY. Minimum Household Size for New Business: $1MM. Typical Size of Households: $350k-10MM. Typical Net Worth of […]
3 Ways to Get Your Employees to Sell More
Posted on June 6, 2024
Who does the selling inside your business? If you’re involved, your business will be less valuable than if you weren’t. Investors and acquirers are reluctant to invest in a business where the owner is the rainmaker of the company. The team at the Value Builder System™ analyzed more than 70,000 businesses, and the data revealed […]
InvestmentNews Article Feature: Breaking the $90K college barrier
Posted on May 8, 2024
Click here to read article.
Rethinking 65 Article Feature: When Navigating Windfalls Is a Rocky Road
Posted on April 29, 2024
Click here to read article: When Navigating Windfalls Is a Rocky Road
Centerline Market Update 2024 Q2
Posted on April 16, 2024
The Roaring 2020s This newsletter is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to the firm’s investment advisory services. This document is provided for informational purposes only and represents only a summary of the topics discussed. The contents should not be construed as personalized investment advice or recommendations. Rather, they simply reflect the […]
Big vs. Valuable
Posted on April 10, 2024
Big vs. Valuable Most founders aim to boost sales, but prioritizing top-line growth can attract low-quality revenue, potentially reducing your company’s value. To an acquirer, revenue quality varies. They prioritize future revenue predictability, valuing recurring income from contracts and subscriptions higher than one-off sales. Consequently, firms with recurring revenue often command a revenue-based valuation, whereas […]
AARP Article Feature: Inheritance Time Bombs (And How to Defuse Them)
Posted on March 26, 2024
AARP Magazine – April/May 2024 Issue
Growth vs. Value
Posted on March 7, 2024
Growth vs. Value We live in a business world where growth is worshiped. Entrepreneurs measure themselves by how many people they employ. Many founders dream about making lists whose sole criterion is revenue growth. However, if your endgame is to sell your business to a strategic acquirer one day, indiscriminate revenue growth may not result […]
Centerline Market Update 2024 Q1
Posted on January 19, 2024
2023 Winners & Losers: Source: Morningstar Direct, Bloomberg, Bespoke Investment Group and Dynasty Financial Partners As of 12/31/2023 S&P 500 Approaching All-Time Highs – Four themes dominated 2023: Artificial Intelligence “Magnificent 7” Federal Reserve Inflation – The S&P 500 ended the year on a nine-week winning streak, its longest since 2004. – US Small Caps […]
Just Add Capital
Posted on January 9, 2024
Just Add Capital If you’re looking to attract an investor or an acquirer one day, expect them to dig into your sales and marketing process. If you’re a company that sells to other businesses, an investor will want to know where you get your leads from and how much each costs you to generate. They’ll […]
The Switzerland Structure
Posted on December 28, 2023
The Switzerland Structure One of the eight factors that impact the value of your company is something the team at The Value Builder SystemÔ refers to as “The Switzerland Structure,” which emphasizes the importance of business independence. It cautions against excessive reliance on any single entity, whether suppliers, employees, or customers. While many business owners […]
Core Values as a Growth Catalyst: The $14 Million Journey of Sauceda Industries
Posted on November 15, 2023
In the competitive third-party logistics (3PL) sector, Jay B Sauceda turned Sauceda Industries into a standout business, ultimately reaching $14 million in sales before being acquired by Cart.com. His secret weapon? His core values: “Yes, And,” “Explore More,” and “Give a Sh!t.” Talent Recruitment Sauceda found his first significant opportunity with Howler Brothers, the digitally […]
Business Innovators Spotlight: Andy Arnold & Centerline’s Biz2Beach™ Process
Posted on November 15, 2023
Centerline Market Update 2023 Q4
Posted on October 25, 2023
Recap of Q3: Bad News Bears US Stocks fell -3.3% in the third quarter and experienced their first negative quarter since Q3 of 2022. While equities surged in July, the market was hit with bad news throughout August and September, starting with the downgrade of the US Debt Rating by Fitch on August 1st. Moody’s […]
3 (Creative) Ways to Get Your Business to Run Without You
Posted on October 15, 2023
If you aspire to build a valuable company, one crucial factor is to ensure your business can operate independently without your constant involvement, but embarking on this journey can feel daunting. In this article, we’ll explore three cost-effective, simple strategies to set your business on a path to autonomy and allowing it to thrive without […]
Hidden Value: A 3-Part Approach to Hiring High-Potential Employees
Posted on October 5, 2023
French economist Jean-Baptiste Say characterized an entrepreneur as one who “shifts economic resources out of an area of lower and into an area of higher productivity and greater yield.” This expands the term’s literal translation from the French for “one who undertakes” to include the concept of value creation. Bootstrapping founders epitomize the principle of […]
“The Costly Consequence of an Unprepared Exit: Lessons from a Failed Business Sale”
Posted on August 13, 2023
INTRODUCTION A Louisville business owner in her early 60’s in the software/services industry was looking to sell and begin her retirement. She had created and operated a successful company that employed 50-100 people and sustained rapid customer and revenue growth. She felt the company was in great shape and ready to be sold. A private […]
Am I Going to be OK Financially After Divorce?
Posted on August 10, 2023
Background Serena and her husband were married for over 20 years. Unfortunately, they decided to divorce in 2023, and she was understandably devastated by this turn of events. The many big decisions began to mount and she started to feel overwhelmed by the associated financial uncertainty. We helped answer her questions like “What is my […]
Centerline Market Update 2023 Q3
Posted on July 25, 2023
Glass Half Bull Recap of Q2 2023: US Officially in a Bull Market US Stocks are officially confirmed to be in a Bull Market, with the S&P 500 rallying 20+% from the low on October 12th, 2022. As a reminder, stocks dropped -24% in the latest Bear Market that started on January 3rd, 2022 and […]
How First Impressions Can Drive the Value of Your Business
Posted on June 13, 2023
The initial impression customers have of your business often influences how much they decide to spend with your company. This is well known, but have you ever considered how first impressions affect the way potential investors value your business? When raising capital, investors’ initial perception of your business significantly impacts their valuation, affecting both the […]
The Debt Ceiling Explained
Posted on May 15, 2023
What is the Debt Ceiling? The Debt Ceiling is the amount of money the US Department of the Treasury is authorized to borrow to pay the nation’s bills. These bills include Social Security, Medicare, and interest on outstanding national debt. Congress regularly raises the US Debt Ceiling so the US can borrow more, but occasionally […]
Physician Couple with Complex Planning Needs
Posted on May 7, 2023
Background Connor and Brenda decided to work with us in their mid 30’s. They had completed medical school and fellowships but were swimming in student loan debt. They had no savings strategy, no emergency fund, and no estate plan. They had no idea where to begin to get their finances in order. They were both […]
Rethinking 65 Article Feature: How are America’s Businesses Faring? Ask an Advisor.
Posted on May 4, 2023
How Are America’s Businesses Faring? Ask a Financial Advisor
Centerline Market Update 2023 Q2
Posted on April 25, 2023
A Crisis of Confidence Have you ever reflected on the foundation of the financial system? What comes to mind? Banks, investors, the stock market, the bond market, or the credit markets? That’s partially true. They are the underpinnings, but the foundation or the bedrock of the financial system is confidence. Without confidence, we are left […]
How to Increase the Value of a Distribution Business
Posted on April 10, 2023
Transforming a distributor or reseller into a valuable company may seem like a daunting task. Distributors are usually not worth very much, because an acquirer reasons that without a point of differentiation, a distributor is vulnerable to a price war. Rather than acquire a target company, a savvy potential acquirer of a distributor could temporarily […]
Navigating Complexity: Empowering Jordan’s Financial Journey After Loss
Posted on February 18, 2023
Background Jordan is in her late 50s and was a partial owner in her late husband’s business. She came to us when she was facing many challenges following the passings of her husband and mother. As a young, recent widow, she turned to us to help make sense of all the pieces and work with […]
The Recurring Revenue Bump
Posted on February 5, 2023
Last month, Darden, the owner of the Olive Garden restaurant chain, announced it was acquiring Ruth’s Chris, the legendary American steakhouse, for $715 million, implying a valuation of around one times last year’s annual revenue, or about ten times their adjusted EBITDA for 2022. Not bad for a giant company, but Ruth’s Chris’s value was […]
Centerline Market Update 2023 Q1
Posted on January 25, 2023
Market Insights & A Numerical Overview We trust everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Whether you reached your personal goals last year or faced challenges, a new year brings new opportunities and a fresh start. 2022 offered an unpleasant experience for investors. Most market averages peaked the first few days of the year then began […]
What to Do When Your Clients Want You
Posted on December 10, 2022
Do your customers ever ask that you personally get involved in their account? If so, one of the best things you can do to improve the value of your business (and your life) is to get your employees to treat your customers as well as you do. That’s easy to say but hard to do, […]
