Inflation Management

The Biggest Mistakes Owners Make When Selling Their Business

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:20:53 GMT

Selling your business is one of the biggest financial and personal decisions you will ever make. For many owners, it represents years of hard work, risk, sacrifice, and identity. That is exactly why the process needs to be handled carefully.

Unfortunately, many business owners make avoidable mistakes that reduce their sale price, delay the process, or scare off qualified buyers altogether. If you are thinking, “How do I sell my business the right way?” the answer starts with preparation.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes owners make when selling their business, and how to avoid them.

1. Waiting Too Long to Prepare

One of the most common mistakes is deciding to sell only when you are already burned out, under pressure, or ready to leave immediately.

The problem is that buyers want to see a stable, well-run business. If revenue is declining, systems are disorganized, or the owner is emotionally checked out, it can hurt perceived value. Selling a business is not something most owners should do at the last minute.

The best exits usually begin with planning. Giving yourself time allows you to improve operations, organize financials, strengthen management, and position the business properly before going to market.

2. Not Knowing What the Business Is Really Worth

Many owners either overvalue or undervalue their business.

Some base the asking price on what they personally need to retire, what they invested over the years, or what they think the brand is worth emotionally. Others price too low because they are unsure how buyers evaluate a business.

In reality, business value is usually shaped by factors such as revenue, profitability, cash flow, owner involvement, customer concentration, recurring income, market conditions, and growth potential. Top Shelf Franchising highlights these exact valuation drivers in its selling process, along with the importance of a data-driven valuation rather than guesswork.

If the price is too high, qualified buyers walk away. If it is too low, you may leave significant money on the table.

3. Poor Financial Organization

Messy books can kill confidence fast.

Buyers want clear, credible financial information. If your profit and loss statements are inconsistent, expenses are mixed with personal spending, or important documents are missing, buyers may assume the business is riskier than it actually is.

Before selling, owners should make sure their financial records are clean, current, and easy to understand. That includes tax returns, P&Ls, balance sheets, payroll information, lease terms, and any relevant operational reports.

Well-organized financials do not just make due diligence smoother. They also help justify your asking price.

4. Being Too Involved in the Business

A business that relies entirely on the owner is often harder to sell.

If you are the main salesperson, the only decision-maker, the face of the brand, and the person who holds all the key relationships, buyers may worry that the business will lose value the minute you leave.

Strong businesses are more attractive when they have documented systems, trained staff, clear processes, and a level of independence from the owner. Buyers are not just buying current revenue. They are buying the ability to continue operating and growing after the transition.

5. Letting Confidentiality Slip

Many owners underestimate how important confidentiality is during a sale.

If staff, customers, suppliers, or competitors hear that the business is for sale too early, it can create unnecessary stress and risk. Employees may get nervous, competitors may use the information against you, and customers may question stability.

That is why a confidential sales process matters. Top Shelf Franchising specifically positions confidentiality as a core part of its advisory approach, along with discreet marketing to qualified buyers.

Selling your business is not just about getting attention. It is about getting the right attention from the right buyers.

6. Talking to the Wrong Buyers

Not every interested party is a serious buyer.

Some people are just curious. Others are not financially qualified. Some may not be a fit for your type of business at all. Spending time with the wrong buyers can drain your energy, expose sensitive information, and delay real opportunities.

This is where buyer screening makes a major difference. A qualified buyer should have the financial capacity, genuine intent, and the right background or support to move forward. The more targeted the outreach, the better the process tends to go.

7. Focusing Only on Price

Price matters, but it is not the only deal term that matters.

A strong offer also includes structure, deposit terms, transition support, financing conditions, training expectations, non-compete clauses, and timing. Sometimes a slightly lower offer with cleaner terms is better than a higher offer loaded with risk.

Owners who focus only on the top number may miss details that affect what they actually take home or whether the deal closes at all.

8. Trying to Sell Alone

Many owners only sell one business in their lifetime. Buyers, on the other hand, may have far more experience evaluating deals, negotiating terms, and spotting weaknesses.

Trying to handle everything yourself can lead to poor pricing, weak positioning, time-wasting conversations, difficult negotiations, and deal fatigue. Top Shelf Franchising’s process is built around helping owners with valuation, buyer outreach, negotiations, due diligence, and closing support because these are often the stages where deals stall or lose value.

Avoid Costly Mistakes and Sell With Confidence

Selling your business is too important to leave to guesswork. The mistakes above can reduce value, slow down the process, and make it harder to reach the right outcome. With the right preparation, accurate valuation, confidential marketing, and experienced guidance, you can avoid common pitfalls and move forward with more confidence.

If you are thinking about selling, Top Shelf Franchising can help you understand what your business may be worth and what the best path to a successful sale looks like. Schedule a free confidential consultation today!

How to Sell a Business Confidentially Without Alerting Staff or Competitors

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:52:56 GMT

Selling a business is one of the most sensitive transactions an owner will ever navigate. Unlike selling real estate, a premature leak can damage morale, trigger staff departures, unsettle customers, and allow competitors to attack your market position.

If handled correctly, however, you can explore a sale, negotiate terms, and close the transaction without alerting staff, suppliers, or competitors until the appropriate time.

This guide outlines exactly how to structure a confidential business sale the right way.

Why Confidentiality Matters When Selling a Business

When word spreads that a business is “for sale,” it often creates:

Staff anxiety and reduced productivity
Customers delaying contracts
Vendors tightening credit terms
Competitors spreading doubt
Key employees seeking new roles

Even a profitable, healthy business can experience disruption if confidentiality isn’t maintained. Confidentiality isn’t about secrecy for secrecy’s sake, but about protecting enterprise value during the transition process.

Step 1: Work With the Right Professionals

The first and most important move is hiring professionals experienced in confidential transactions.

Most owners work with:

A qualified business broker
An M&A advisor
A corporate lawyer
An accountant

Reputable firms like Top Shelf Franchising structure transactions specifically to protect seller confidentiality. These professionals act as a buffer between you and the market, screening buyers and controlling the flow of information.

Step 2: Use a Blind Listing (No Identifiable Details)

A blind listing markets your business without revealing its identity.

Instead of:

“Calgary-based manufacturing company with $3M revenue”

It might say:

“Western Canada industrial service provider with recurring commercial contracts generating $3M in annual revenue.”

No company name.
No exact location.
No identifiable client references.

Serious buyers inquire. Casual observers and competitors cannot trace it back to you.

Step 3: Require Signed NDAs Before Sharing Details

Every prospective buyer must sign a legally binding Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before receiving sensitive information.

An NDA protects:

Financial statements
Client lists
Supplier relationships
Operational processes
Employee structures

Your lawyer should draft or review this agreement to ensure it is enforceable. Only after an NDA is signed should you provide a confidential information memorandum (CIM).

Step 4: Screen Buyers Carefully

Not every inquiry deserves access to your data.

Proper buyer vetting includes:

Proof of funds
Acquisition history
Strategic fit
Industry alignment
Financing capacity

This is especially important if competitors express interest. Some buyers request information solely to gather intelligence. Professional brokers screen out unqualified or suspicious parties before you ever see them.

Step 5: Control Internal Information Flow

Confidentiality also means limiting knowledge inside your company.

Best practice:

Do not inform staff during early exploration
Loop in your accountant only as necessary
Consider involving one trusted senior leader only if operationally required

Most transactions reach advanced negotiation stages before employees are informed. Key managers may be brought in during the final due diligence under strict confidentiality terms.

Step 6: Secure Data Through a Virtual Data Room

Serious buyers reviewing financials and contracts should access documents via a secure virtual data room (VDR). Platforms such as DocuSign (for NDAs) or secure document-sharing tools like Dropbox with restricted permissions help control access.

Key safeguards include:

Watermarked documents
Access logs
Download restrictions
Timed viewing permissions

This reduces the risk of information leakage.

Step 7: Structure Meetings Carefully

When meetings are required:

Schedule offsite
Avoid peak business hours
Use neutral locations
Conduct video calls when appropriate

Buyers should never “tour” your business until they are properly vetted and well into negotiations. If an on-site visit becomes necessary, it is typically arranged after a Letter of Intent (LOI) is signed.

Step 8: Time Employee Notification Strategically

The majority of confidential business sales inform staff after:

Definitive agreements are signed
Financing is confirmed
Closing is imminent

The communication plan should be coordinated between the buyer and seller. Often, the announcement happens immediately after closing or just before transition planning begins. This minimizes disruption and rumor cycles.

Step 9: Protect Key Employees With Retention Agreements

If your business relies heavily on specific staff members, consider:

Retention bonuses
Stay agreements
Incentive structures tied to closing

These agreements are typically prepared quietly and presented once disclosure becomes necessary. This prevents talent flight and protects deal value.

Step 10: Maintain Business Performance During the Sale

Confidentiality fails when performance declines.

Keep operations stable:

Maintain revenue momentum
Continue marketing and sales efforts
Avoid cutting necessary expenses
Protect customer relationships

Buyers pay for performance. A dip during negotiations raises red flags.

Common Mistakes That Break Confidentiality

Avoid:

Telling staff “just in case”
Mentioning the sale to vendors
Sharing sensitive numbers via unsecured email
Posting overly specific sale details online
Allowing unscreened buyers access

Once information spreads, it cannot be undone.

When Confidentiality Can’t Be Absolute

In some industries (especially small local markets), buyers may infer identity even from blind listings.

In those cases:

Limit geographic descriptions
Avoid specific contract references
Control timing tightly

Confidentiality becomes a matter of risk reduction, not absolute secrecy.

Plan Early to Exit Quietly and Profitably

Selling a business confidentially is not about hiding. It’s about protecting value.

Handled properly, you can:

Explore buyer interest discreetly
Negotiate from a position of strength
Maintain staff stability
Preserve customer trust
Close at maximum valuation

Confidential transactions require structure, discipline, and experienced guidance. If you plan to sell within the next 1–3 years, begin preparing now. Confidential exits are built long before the listing ever goes live.

Contact us today if you are thinking about or ready to sell your business.

How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business? Timeline, Stages & What to Expect

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:31:14 GMT

Selling a business is a major decision, and knowing how long the process takes can help you plan financially, emotionally, and operationally. While no two sales are identical, most business owners move through a series of predictable stages, each with its own timeline and key considerations.

In this article, we walk through the typical timeframe to sell a business, the stages involved, and what you should expect at each step.

Why Timing Matters When You Sell a Business

Timing affects more than your calendar. It impacts:

Your valuation — rushed buyers often offer less.
Continuity of operations — long sales require sustained performance.
Tax planning — different timelines can change tax outcomes.
Your next steps — retirement, reinvestment, or starting something new.

Understanding the expected timeline helps you prepare for each phase with confidence.

Average Time to Sell a Business

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but most small to mid-sized businesses take 6 to 18 months to sell from start to finish.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Preparation (2–6 months) – Getting documents, financials, and operations in order.
Marketing & Buyer Search (3–9 months) – Listing the business and vetting buyers.
Offer to Close (1–3 months) – Negotiation, due diligence, and final sale.

Larger, more complex businesses can take longer, while highly desirable businesses may sell faster.

Stage 1: Preparation & Readiness

Timeline: 2–6 Months

This is the most critical phase and often the most overlooked.

Before listing your business for sale, you should:

Gather financial statements (3–5 years)
Organize tax returns
Document operations, processes, and key contracts
Resolve legal issues
Clean up books and EBITDA

At this stage, owners often realize improvements that increase value , such as strengthening recurring revenue or tightening operations.

What to Expect

Realistic valuation discussions
Identification of legal or financial gaps
Setting initial expectations on market readiness

Stage 2: Marketing & Buyer Identification

Timeline: 3–9 Months

Once your business is ready, the next step is connecting with qualified buyers.

This includes:

Creating a compelling Offering Memorandum
Confidentially listing your business
Distributing to broker networks or private buyers
Fielding initial inquiries
Conducting NDAs and buyer screenings

Finding the ri ght buyer, not just any buyer, takes time. A poorly matched buyer can waste months.

What to Expect

Multiple inquiries with varied levels of seriousness
NDA execution before releasing detailed information
Vetting of buyers’ financial capability and intent

Stage 3: Offers & Negotiations

Timeline: 4–8 Weeks

When serious buyers emerge, they will present letters of intent (LOIs).

You’ll:

Compare offers based on price, terms, and structure
Negotiate deal points (earnouts, financing, contingencies)
Agree on a provisional purchase agreement

This is where your broker or advisor adds significant value by pushing terms that protect your interests and maximize net proceeds.

What to Expect

Offers that differ widely in terms, not just price
Back-and-forth negotiations over deal structure
Requests for seller concessions or holdbacks

Stage 4: Due Diligence

Timeline: 4–12 Weeks

Once an offer is accepted, the buyer will dive deep.

Due diligence includes:

Reviewing financials
Legal review of contracts and compliance
Customer, vendor, and employee records
Site visits and executive interviews

This phase slows down when buyers uncover issues or request additional assurances.

What to Expect

Additional documentation requests
Potential revisions to price or terms
Buyer needs financing contingencies

Stage 5: Closing

Timeline: 1–4 Weeks

Assuming due diligence goes smoothly, the final step is closing .

You’ll:

Finalize legal documents
Transfer ownership
Receive payment

Depending on the deal structure, part of the payment may be held in escrow or tied to future performance (earnouts).

What to Expect

Signing escrow instructions
Transfer of leases, licenses, and permits
Announcements to stakeholders

Common Factors That Affect the Timeline

Every business sale is unique, but these factors most often change how long the process takes:

1. Size and Complexity

More revenue, assets, and employees → longer evaluations.

2. Industry

Some industries attract more buyers and move faster; others are niche and take time.

3. Financial Cleanliness

Well-organized books dramatically shorten due diligence.

4. Buyer Financing

Deals dependent on bank or investor financing often take longer.

5. Confidentiality Concerns

Maintaining discretion while marketing can slow the process.

Tips to Sell Faster: Without Sacrificing Price

Here are practical ways to reduce your timeline while still maximizing value:

Get your financials audit-ready
Standardize key processes
Resolve outstanding legal issues
Work with experienced brokers
Pre-qualify buyers
Prepare an attractive Offering Memorandum
Stay flexible on timing vs. price

The Bottom Line

Selling a business is a journey, not just a transaction.

Most sales take 6 to 18 months, and every phase plays a role in your outcome. The more prepared you are upfront, the smoother and faster the process will be.

If you’re thinking about selling your business and want to understand your timeline, including how to position your business for the best outcome, our team can help.

Book a confidential consultation with Top Shelf Franchising and get your selling strategy started today.

How Much Is My Business Worth? A Complete Guide to Valuation Methods

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:18:38 GMT

A proper valuation isn’t just a number, it’s the foundation for a successful sale. It determines your listing price, influences buyer interest, affects financing options, and ultimately shapes how quickly and profitably your business sells.

Why Business Valuation Matters Before You Sell

Business valuation provides a clear, unbiased picture of what your company’s value is in today’s market. Setting the right price is essential:

Overpricing scares off qualified buyers and drags out the sale.
Underpricing leaves money on the table and can weaken your negotiating power.
Lenders and buyers rely on valuation reports when evaluating risk, financing, and future projections.

A professional valuation ensures you enter the market confidently and with a number grounded in financial reality, industry benchmarks, and demand trends.

Key Business Valuation Methods Explained

Income-Based Methods

These methods focus on profitability and your company’s ability to generate future cash flow.

1. Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE)

SDE is used primarily by small to mid-sized businesses. It adjusts your net income to reflect true owner benefit by adding back discretionary expenses such as:

Owner salary
Personal expenses run through the business
Non-recurring costs

SDE shows buyers what they can realistically earn.

2. EBITDA Multiples

For larger or more complex companies, EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) is more accurate. Multipliers vary by industry and market demand. A strong, stable company may receive a higher multiple due to lower perceived risk.

3. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)

DCF calculates what your future earnings are worth in today's dollars. This method works best for predictable, growing businesses with detailed financial forecasts.

Market-Based Methods

Market-based valuation compares your business to similar companies that recently sold or are currently on the market. Key considerations include:

Industry-specific sales multiples
Comparable transactions
Local and regional buyer demand
Economic climate and financing conditions

Buyers lean heavily on this method because it mirrors real-world market behaviour.

Asset-Based Methods

This approach calculates the value of your tangible and intangible assets. It's often used for companies with significant equipment, inventory, or real estate. Two variations exist:

Net Asset Value (NAV): Total assets minus liabilities
Liquidation Value: What the assets could sell for quickly

This is common for manufacturing, construction, and equipment-heavy industries.

Factors That Influence Your Business's Value

Buyers evaluate far more than your revenue. Key value drivers include:

Financial Performance & Trend Lines

Steady or rising revenue/earnings increase valuation. Declining performance lowers confidence.

Customer Concentration

If 40–60% of revenue comes from one customer, buyers perceive risk.

Brand Strength & Competitive Position

A strong local presence or high repeat customer rate boosts value.

Systems, Processes & Staff Dependency

Transferable businesses—those that don’t rely heavily on the owner—are worth more.

Industry Risk

Some industries carry higher risk and therefore lower multiples. Others (e.g., recurring revenue sectors) get premium pricing.

Location & Market Conditions

Economic health, buyer pool size, and competition influence demand.

Common Mistakes Owners Make When Valuing Their Business

1. Emotional Pricing

Owners often attach sentimental value that buyers don’t share.

2. Relying on Outdated Financials

Buyers want the most recent data, ideally 3–5 years plus YTD.

3. Ignoring Add-Back Adjustments

Failure to identify add-backs causes undervaluation via lower SDE.

4. Assuming Online Calculators Are Accurate

Automated tools oversimplify valuation and can be off by tens or hundreds of thousands.

5. Hiding Liabilities

Incomplete or misleading financials destroy buyer trust.

How to Increase the Value of Your Business Before Selling

Improve Profitability

Even small margin increases can raise valuation significantly.

Enhance Recurring Revenue

Subscriptions, contracts, and retainers increase buyer confidence.

Diversify Your Customer Base

Spread revenue across multiple clients and verticals.

Clean Up Financials

Accurate books, clean documentation, and organized records reduce perceived risk.

Reduce Owner Dependency

Buyers want a business that can operate without you. Document SOPs, train staff, automate where possible.

Strengthen Your Online Presence

Modern buyers pay close attention to reputation, reviews, and brand perception.

Professional vs. DIY Valuation: What’s the Difference?

DIY valuation methods (spreadsheets, calculators, Googled multipliers) may give you a rough estimate, but they lack the accuracy and credibility buyers expect.

Professional valuation offers:

Detailed financial review
Correct add-back adjustments
Industry benchmark comparison
Market analysis
Credibility in negotiations
Support during buyer financing

A professional valuation eliminates guesswork and sets you up for a profitable exit.

What to Expect in a Business Valuation With Top Shelf Franchising

Top Shelf Franchising follows a clear, confidential valuation process:

1. Initial Consultation

Discuss goals, timing, industry, and core financial structure.

2. Financial Review

Analyze tax returns, P&Ls, balance sheets, and add-backs.

3. Market Benchmarking

Compare your business against recent industry sales and multiples.

4. Valuation Report

Receive a detailed, data-backed valuation that defines your realistic selling range.

5. Next Steps Toward Selling

If you choose to move forward, your valuation becomes the foundation for packaging, marketing, buyer vetting, and negotiations.

List Your Business With Confidence

A proper valuation is the single most important step when preparing to sell your business. It sets expectations, strengthens negotiations, and positions you for the best possible financial outcome.

If you’re serious about exploring an exit or simply curious about what your business is worth, Top Shelf Franchising can provide a confidential, comprehensive valuation to help you make an informed decision.

Book your confidential business valuation with Top Shelf Franchising today.

The Entrepreneur Contrarian

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:40:43 GMT

The Inner Contrarian Entrepreneur Inside of you

Entrepreneurship is not easy road. We need to have extremely thick skin and be able to hear NO 10 times over and not let it phase us is very important step. Society is designed for us to work 40 to 50 hours a week and pay 45% tax plus consumption taxes. This is now becoming a broken business model in Canada more than ever before. As most forms of taxes are rising monthly. While food prices are increasing heavily and then we are told inflation is only 2% to 3%. While the powers to be change and manipulate the (CPI) consumer price index to make it 2%. They strip out higher inflation items essentially lying to you and I about what it really is the inflation of today and yesterday. So its important to have that inner Contrarian inside of you. As we are not always told the truth unfortunately.

The society we live in wants us to be society slaves of sort. So don't fall into this trap. Try and shed your expenses, ditch your expensive car payment. Heck I drive a 2014 jeep cherokee that is paid off and have over a million dollar net worth personally.

Maybe start that side hustle out there and then grow it further.

Small baby step choices each day and each week add up in a month. Try and put together some wins each day and each week. I demand wins for myself. Then winning becomes a habit and not work.

In the end if you want to go out on your own and become an entrepreneur. You must be willing to go backwards first or take a step or 3 back. To essentially go forward. It's a sacrifice many struggle with mentally when wanting to take a plunge into becoming a business owner. Also your ego needs to checked as it may take a few mirror checks along the way. As there may be some tough months to go thru. To essentially break through and pay less taxes and become free there is always a sacrifice. A side hustle could be a great start and set up that corporation and start incurring losses that could carry forward for when you start producing revenue. Or purchase a cash flowing business that is producing and you can scale it up further and pay your taxes at the end of the year?

I spent years and years reading books on successful entrepreneurs before i became one. I wanted to be free from the rat race of working for someone else. I did not have any money to start but had the drive and determination to become an entrepreneur. Then came to the idea that relationships are a form of a currency and started leveraging relations to build a business.

It could not hurt to start thinking differently and become more of a contrarian investor and watch the opportunities arise from this mindset.

What's Trending?

Tue, 06 May 2025 14:24:41 GMT

Safe Haven Demand & Hard Assets

What's Trending? Businesses With Cash Flow & Hard Assets/Safe Haven's

With the recent turmoil in stocks correcting and swinging around like a yo yo in a kids playground. Individuals & smart money investors are seeking out hard assets/ small businesses & franchises with cash flow. I receive hundreds a calls a month from buyers looking for cash flow and focused on hard assets. This sounds like a solid simple plan of attack and is working for a select group of smart money investors. Safe haven demand is at the highest level in a very long time. No one knows what will happen tomorrow or next month with the market or economy so why not take control your own future this way.

If you are looking to diversify away from financial instruments and be in the drivers seat of your hard earned work. Why not start a side hustle? Or partner up to buy a franchise business in a great location? Or add onto your existing business portfolio and purchase another business. This I am seeing a demand in calls & especially over the past 6 months. I am a big fan of physical bullion gold and silver and have invested a great deal in this space over the past 5 years and returns are there.

Here is a chart of Gold 5 year and one year as of MSN money app in USD funds.

Gold Per Ounce 3405 USD

‎+81.80 (‎+2.46%) Today USD

PAST YEAR • AS OF MAY 6, 10:05 A.M. EDT

‎+1,073.20 (‎+46.04%) USD

PAST 5 YEARS • AS OF MAY 6, 10:06 A.M. EDT

‎+1,659.10 (‎+94.98%) USD

While the S +P index YTD to date is seeing a loss YTD

YTD • AS OF MAY 6, 10:06 A.M. EDT

‎-282.47 (‎-4.80%)

33.40 Silver Per Ounce

‎+0.90 (‎+2.76%) Today USD

PAST YEAR • AS OF MAY 6, 10:01 A.M. EDT

‎+5.99 (‎+21.89%) USD

YTD • AS OF MAY 6, 10:02 A.M. EDT

‎+4.12 (‎+14.08%)

This type of hard physical asset is yours only and holds no counter party risk. It is recommended to have safe storage in higher amounts & can always be sold and turned into a fiat currency anytime you wish. It's a flight for safety and a safe haven, and is working as world fiat dollars de-value with inflation chewing away slowly at it. One suggestion is to not do what everyone else does. In fact you may want to look at the opposite first. Then do your own due diligence.

While I do not give out financial advice you are welcome to speak with your advisor who most likely will not talk about gold or silver or investing into a small business and will push there financials instruments so they can obtain a fee from there bank. So it is important to talk to many others in different fields. Try not to trust one source to park your cash or plan your retirement. It's just too risky to let it all ride on whim of a financial instrument and hope it keeps going up. As there is nothing better than controlling your own destiny in life. Master your own destiny is the way to go and work for it and build it they will come.

Relationships Equals Assets

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:04:15 GMT

Relationships & Building Your Business & Finding Your Niche

Being able to take Friday afternoon off should always be important in one’s life. This is why I became an entrepreneur. To have this ability to say hey it’s Friday afternoon. I am going to network with colleagues/associates and friends. To take the time to build the business to the next level. Where you do not have to answer anyone, or anything is truly something special and rewarding. It really comes down to how you use this time that is there for you is the golden key. This focused time of social & dialed in time gave me an opportunity to build up and foster relationships with new and old associates. This focused energy on how one can set themselves free was very critical in starting out my entrepreneurial journey. Some can take time they have to be lazy, or not focus on much progress and pretend you are being productive. Others can put on that focused productive hat on and dial in on what you need to do to build up more opportunity for yourself. Others just don’t have much time at all to focus on building up their personal development towards success.

I spent a good 5 to 7 years every Friday afternoon networking & connecting as much as I could, and meeting as many new contacts as possible. Many of these relationships still exist today. Relationships take work and they are not going to build up for yourself by doing nothing or the bare minimum. You and only you have to nurture your relations. Whether its approaching someone to shake someone’s hand and look them in the eye and introduce yourself. It is also important to have a niche to offer them. If you don’t have an established niche, then it can be an uphill climb in promoting your services that you have to offer. So, try and establish a niche or identify what your niche is first then you can focus on building up that niche product or service.

Quick story I visited a trade show & franchise show in Calgary, Alberta Canada in 2019 and walked up to a franchisor who owned a successful senior care franchise at the time. I introduced myself and gave him my card and shot the breeze with the founder for 5 minutes. I circled back with an email a few days later to say very nice meeting you and look forward to talking more with you. I wanted to remind him I had several buyers interested in his brand and could be a win win for us together. Fast forward since then I have sold his senior care corporate territory in Vancouver for 1.4 million and have sold many senior care franchise territories for this brand as the years went on. This one introduction and approach coming in cold and introducing myself produced over $250k in revenue today for my company and is still re-occurring.

One card, one handshake and one introduction. Years later this initial prosperity keeps on continuing. So why not go out and build up what you have to offer? First and foremost, find a niche and promote your business or franchise. As not one single person is going to do it better than you or even do it all.

Using technology to network and connect with new customers is another source and stream to connect with contacts. It is a source of new age networking and connecting as well. I am a big fan of doing both networking old school and using tech to do so.

Try and ask yourself how can you service someone you approach or look at doing advertising towards your reach of a customer? Ask yourself what is your target market? Identify this and focus then attack and approach those areas. Dial in on what is important not what looks good so much.

Key Areas to Focus on your entrepreneurial journey:

· Build up relationships and relations with many new people and existing people.

· Go on the offense to build up your niche and business and franchise.

· Establishing a Side Hustle can be a nice way to entry point as an entrepreneur

· Hand out your card – Oh you don’t have any well get some as they are still important and who cares if others say they aren’t used anymore. Those people who say this many have never built up a business.

· Use tech to build and connect with others in your customer base or field.

· Go after your target market, who is your target market? Establish then go after this and invest in approaching your target market or customer base.

· If you are not willing to build up your own business on your own. Then one should focus on a franchise where one embraces the franchise systems and then takes the systems that are there and grow it further. This is often a good approach pending on your situation and needs.

· Just because you purchase a franchise now. Often owners think marketing is left to the brand to build my business for me. Your franchise territory and location are yours and yours only, we all need to build up and foster relationships in the community. Waiting on someone else to do it for me is not the best mindset for success. Many franchisees themselves focus on the head office and what others are doing. Where one should focus on what you can do and understanding your market to make your business better. Then connect with customers and community to allow for a fruitful situation to take shape.

· Join Canadian and local associations and go to events where your clients and business interest lie. Do these values line up with your brand and your business. If they do then go to these events, shows, online groups, etc.

· Try and read as many entrepreneur books as you can. I read 4 to 5 a year of entrepreneurs and which motivates you further. The 4 hour work week was a game changer for me by Tim Ferris.

In the end, to finish in closing. No one is going to bring success for you in your life. Not one person and not the government either. You have to be a go getter and go out there and get it done as an entrepreneur and franchisee. Entrepreneurs & franchisees have to have thick skin and hearing no has to be ok and not fall apart if you hear no. This should motivate you further each time you hear no. So go out there and build up something special as you are special in your own way. Only the strong survive mentality is where we are in life and be the strong one who shoots through the clouds.

Tony Kereluke

Top Shelf Franchising

www.topshelffranchising.com

Diversify Into Cash Flow

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 18:42:21 GMT

Diversifying into Hard Assets & Small Business Cash Flow has never been more important that now

Lots to talk about at Top Shelf Franchising this week. As we recorded a record number of buyers in one week with 71 inquiries of people looking for a business in Canada. It appears that many are looking to diversify their holdings into cash flow and businesses/franchises as the year progresses further.

Why are all these Canadian buyers looking to come in and invest into a business & franchise now say versus a year ago?

A strong case could be is that the world fiat paper currencies globally are potentially heading for a challenging time ahead. Central banks all over the world purchased a record number of physical gold holdings in the past year and one should wonder why? (Public Knowledge) Don't bankers and central banks know a lot about what is coming and what to do? Then we should follow you would tend to think.

A great deal of smart money knows that one should diversify away from currency holdings and financial instruments, in addition to paper assets and stocks. Just ask Warren Buffet who has been selling millions and millions of his stocks off lately and is front running of what potentially is coming. Jeff Bezos and many billionaires are off setting their stock positions and liquidating & selling and diversifying into other assets. The warning signs are there but many are not paying attention. The smart money is front running things, and I talk to a lot of smart money people daily.

Physical hard assets are growing in demand as gold and silver are running hot with strong increases as supply decreases and demand picks up globally. In addition to commodities are gaining strong returns as of late. While I am not a financial advisor and do not give out financial advice. However you may want to look at other alternatives from what you are used too. It's a different market and world out there today.

Small businesses & franchises that produce cash flow is another asset class is where one should consider owning into 2024 and 2025. Especially as currencies potentially weaken and more and more government debt build's up in our communities, municipalities and countries further. When counties decide to print money by way of a click of a button it creates inflationary periods and weakens currencies further and reduces our purchasing power. Just Argentina or Venezuela or in Mexico in the late 90's how that worked out. Well it didn't work out well after printing and printing and pilling up debts. Then the currencies collapsed and government's added more zeros to their paper dollar and what you had in the bank became watered down with this decrease of purchasing power.

Allocating some capital into small business cash flow is a new trend that will continue to grow and safeguard your wealth further. Here at Top Shelf Franchising we have over 110 options to choose from coast to coast in Canada. We are a company designed to present you options so you can get into business or diversify into another business.

It's Time To Pay Yourself First

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 20:12:13 GMT

Own Your Business & Starting Paying Yourself First

When one owns their own business we are in a position to have more control of our own lives. For starters when one owns their own business as entrepreneurs they pay themselves first and then pay tax later after our expenses take shape. When one works for a company as an employee up to 50% of our earnings is paid upfront in tax. Then the remainder is given to you as your pay cheque.

The word freedom has been a hot topic lately and when one owns their own business they earn this right to pay themselves first in addition to enjoying the freedoms that comes with it. So why would most not try and start their own business and have more freedom & lifestyle and pay themselves first? Or create a side gig to see if it has legs and then turn that into a full time business. Or simply purchase an existing business or buy a franchise and grow it could be another way.

The answer is that many do not try or even entertain paying yourself first in Canada or buying your own freedom is because they are in too much debt or have too much monthly overheads. I have seen many clients sell it all and clean the desk right off and start their own business. Many have chosen to start fresh with a clean slate as they noticed with their overheads being so high one can never start a business unless you run into a lot of cash and purchase an existing business. Their is nothing wrong with clearing it all off the desk and starting fresh and creating a new business model for your own self. As its a sense of a reset in your own life and tends to be very liberating when you do. I have done many desk clearings myself and fortunately worked out well. It recreated a new freedom life multiple times over and allowed one to not be trapped by someone else.

Try and give this some thought and if you would like to chat more about this you can call my toll free 1-855-816-1743 and we can have a chat together

We must focus on earning our way out of this inflation period

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 20:58:22 GMT

Time to Earn Our Way Out of Inflation & Rising Costs

Time to be more of an Earner as saving your way out of this isn`t going to cut it.

After the largest money printing episode of all time has come to an end. We now the people must pay the price which is what it looks like here moving forward. Wages are not keeping up and inflation the almighty (SECRET TAX) is being manipulated heavily by taking out gas, heating, lodging and food out of the inflation equation percentage numbers that is being disclosed to us.
Then we are communicated it`s high at 6 to 7%. It`s more like around 12% to 15% in Canada when you factor in gas, heating & energy and food and lodging.

Moving forward we must focus on earning & becoming a better earner. By earning and by earning multiple sources of revenue streams this will be your key to the gate that opens up for a better tomorrow. One must combat this attack on our wealth that we worked so hard to save and have. We must face it head on and say I am going to earn and even if that earning means 100 to 300 a month. It’s a start and every cent matters more than ever. We are not taught how to earn or how to manage our money on all levels. Even in schools we are taught to bake a high quality white sugar cake instead and given a credit card with a 19.9% interest rate. Congratulations you qualify! The system is rigged against you on all fronts and sides. It has always been this way it’s just now a lot more aggressive than before.

The question is what are you going to do about it and when?

Here are a few ways to become an Earner:

1. Create a side gig online
2. Go work part time on the side as there is lots of jobs out there to work on the side
3. Purchase a side business
4. Acquire a business
5. Start a business or start one with several partners
6. Sell your assets while they are high and restructure your deck of assets
7. Sell your goods online and sell things to people to create revenue
8. Find some buyers for a product you have and create a niche
9. Buy & Invest into real assets & businesses

It’s a nasty world out there and no one is going to help you. So one must take the nature approach and be a survivor and find a way in this nature world to survive and earn and get ahead.

#business #entrepreneurs #startabusiness #ownafranchise #ownbusiness #smallbusiness

Making Moves

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 20:16:48 GMT

Successful Entrepreneurs Always Make Moves

Entrepreneurs are not born and created on their own. Most are made and created by making moves in their lives. Only they and you can decide to live a life in a different way and to take some some small chances and calculated risks to start off with.

Making a move isn`t a bad thing. Its actually healthy in most cases and gives you energy and life to look forward too. Each week I make a cluster of very small moves to make my future better and better. My wife and I are constantly making moves to improve ones life for the better. Making a move doesn`t have to be risk it all situation or put the family farm on the line. A small move can go along way and inches you forward to more and more successes.

A calculated thought out move of what to do next and how you will succeed from this move is a great way to think week to week. Try and shift your thinking to make some moves and see the outcomes arising in your mind. This mindset will become contagious of what you want to do, and how you want to feel and go in your life. Don`t necessarily follow the narrative's all the time. Be a leader and a move maker and a strategy thinker. This is very common in successful entrepreneurs.

I have read many books on successful entrepreneurs and one core value they have in common is thinking outside the box and constantly making a move and planning their next chapter. So why don't you start thinking like this more often and watch what happens?

Try not to go through the week without making a small move to improve and see progress & successes arising. This doesn't have to be related to money all the time. As when you chase the money around it tends to not follow you back this way. Don't say its been a hard week and didn't have time. Yes you do as you can make a move of a single thought a priority.

Tony Kereluke

CEO & Founder

Top Shelf Franchising

1-855-816-1743

www.topshelffranchising.com

www.franchiseopportunitiescanada.com

Creating Freedon & Lifestyle First

Sat, 01 May 2021 14:03:34 GMT

Today and tomorrow freedom is becoming a more important quality that ever before. Flexibility, lifestyle and the ability to make choices is what it is all about now. We all have choices to make in life. However many are stuck with barriers and limitations that in many ways are self-created. Try and remove these barriers as a next step.

Our freedoms are being stripped away a little more than ever before. Creating freedom for ourselves is up to you and us and not anyone else. In fact no one will give us freedom and lifestyle. The same goes for that no one will put food in our fridge either. So we need to find ways to earn and generate revenue for ourselves in different ways, and look at being more self-sustainable. In addition to finding the freedom & flexibility lifestyle backed behind it.

Did you ever notice we are not taught in school or post-secondary or at any level to understand, and master the ability to earn, and generate multiple revenue streams. Nor are we taught to understand food and nutrients and how to cook and feed ourselves with nourishing foods. The system is often rigged so you do not know how to earn and then find ways to pay less taxes as an entrepreneur.

The stone cold facts is that no one wants you to know become an entrepreneur especially in Canada. You should work hard pay 40% to 50% taxes and pay off your student loan. This is a broken model and creates a massive barrier to remove. Then with easy debt loans taken out one has even more barriers in the way.

We can all make choices with action and purpose to become an entrepreneur which gives you freedom, flexibility and in many cases a lifestyle.

Don’t follow the money. Follow a passion and a dream and create a niche. When you start carving into these things then the money comes. It may take time however you need to give yourself time and remove the barrier of time. If you need a reboot don’t be scared, and if you are financed up and this barrier is in the way then one might want to consider selling it off and rebooting things.

Keep dreaming and its ok to say I want to be an entrepreneur to have lifestyle and freedom out loud or in the mirror. As someone might help you and your mind will listen to yourself as well.

Time to Enter the Entrepreneurial Journey is Now

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 18:53:43 GMT

Time to Enter the Entrepreneurial Journey and Pivot for Tomorrow

Baby Boomers across Canada are looking to retire more so than ever these days. Backed with less jobs available than in recent history, more and more people are turning to entrepreneurship with a strong goal of becoming truly self-reliant on ones future. These baby boomers are selling their businesses, entering the entrepreneurial space and it is starting to show. Being on the ground as a franchise broker in Canada, we are speaking to both buyers and new entrepreneurs entering the space on the daily. We speak to sellers many who are set to retire or move on at low evaluations. I really see this moving shift as a great time to enter the business owner world and maybe not so much if you are looking to sell right now. That being said there are many great entrepreneurs who I have sold their businesses for that weathered the storm and kept their overheads light and are doing just fine.

Today as of October 30/20 there is no better time to enter than now. Why? Costs and evaluations are low and opportunities are high. When the world weathers this storm in the world, one should have a better position in life than they had before. Making a pivot and a move will not just happen for you or fall in your lap. You are the only one that can make a move. No one will do this for you. It’s go out and do it mentality. Do not rely on anyone or anything to live your dream as an entrepreneur.

It’s time to pivot your life and business for today and tomorrow. One thing that Covid has and should teach us all is that relationships are worth more than any currency. Your word is your personal currency in life. When you have your word and excellent fruitful relations backed with new seeding relationships, you will be successful as a business owner in time.

Tony Kereluke
Top Shelf Franchising
CEO & Founder
www.topshelffranchising.com

The Side Hustle

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 15:18:09 GMT

Why Not Try and Side Hustle

From to time to time I find myself having a tiny struggle to relate to most humans on the daily.

To be honest I find myself wondering why many choose to not fully satisfy ones purpose and journey in life. Why one chooses to give in and not try another way to be free in life. Entrepreneurs find a way and don’t make excuses. This is very noticeable when dealing with entrepreneurs week to week. When they hear no they don’t fold up and shut it down. Entrepreneurs find another angle or seek out another stream to swim down versus hearing no and not even thinking about another way.

This cannot be explained only out of respect that they tried to go another path and others simply did not make this choice.

Why do so many go with the daily grind. All for what to pay the bills and be in traffic or not enjoy the job? It is understood that many have families to provide for and simply cannot quit there day job to start and become an entrepreneur. This may be true however there is not much of an excuse of trying some moonlighting or having a side hustle on the side. To test the waters and chum the waters if this entrepreneur side is for you. Who knows the side hustle could turn into something really solid and real. So why not try is the question of it all?

Could it be that Belief and Will is dead inside?

The Belief inside of many has been taken away from our human ways. Just like when we were kids our creative ways are at the highest peak. Then society of living and structure to do this and that takes over these creative ways. Then that creativeness slows and disappears or fizzles off. Well don’t let that belief fizzle. Keep that burning desire to try different ways and things! Why not try a side deal and what do you have to lose by trying a side hustle? Why not learn from other entrepreneurs and find a mentor? These entrepreneurs will share their time and story only if you ask and don’t think you know it all.

When you’re trying you are living. It’s that simple! When you are not trying well you might not be living like you want. So go out and hustle and create some side music for yourself. You might like it! Then watch what seeds and stems from there. You might learn a few things too.

Tony Kereluke

Founder Top Shelf Franchising

www.franchiseopportunitiescanada.com

Risk Managment

Wed, 29 May 2019 17:02:05 GMT

The Word Risk is Not Always a Negative One

Let me ask you have you ever met a successful person in Canada or around the globe that didn't take any risks? or let fear control them on making a decision? There really isn't many and would be hard pressed to find one around.

A few suggestions to combat fear and risks:

Avoid watching the negative news on TV. It is fear being planted inside your mind and one suggestion is to read the newspaper as then you can choose to read the information you wish to read.
Try and embrace change and fear and let it be known that it is there and then choose to run through it. Then once you do that you are on the other side of fear and you run it now.
Try not to live in the wish i could have world or i wish i should have. Be a doing and not a wisher.
Get out a dream road map. Write down where you want to go and read it over and keep on updating it. Have you ever met a successful person that did not have dreams and goals? ZERO around so start one today.

Top Shelf Tips on Entrepreneurship

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 17:51:16 GMT

Thinking of becoming an Entrepreneur? Or already one? This can help looking at things through different lenses.

Make sure you invest your hard working money & savings into something you are controlling daily. Give consideration if you will be managing your cash to determine the success or failure of the business. This is on your hands and don't let anyone else be in control of your hard working money. As know one cares about your bank account like you do.

Staying on the offense at all times is very key as a entrepreneur. If something isn't working do not get discouraged. Try scoring an immediate goal as goals win games in sports. Life is very similar in this retrospect. Keep trying for more goals is key then it is just a matter of time before you score a big game goal.

It is fine to own 25% of something rather than 100% of nothing in business. This is how I got started as an entrepreneur in Calgary, Alberta. I joined partnerships that were win win for both sides. We carefully laid out roles within the partnership. This gave us a defined way of where we needed to go and be day in day out.

Plan out and forecast for storms that come into your world, and ride out windy days as an entrepreneur. Have operating cash flow set aside as you will often times need to dip into this and then can replenish later.

Consistently market yourself and always be promoting your business at all times. To often people open a business and then expect customers to walk through the door. Life and business does not work this way. Don't be afraid to get out there and let then entire community know what you do each month and stick with this mentality.

Just Because You Are Doing More Doesn't Mean You are Getting A lot Done - Denzel Washington

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 19:53:05 GMT

Just Because You Are Doing More Doesn't Mean You are Getting A lot Done - Denzel Washington

Lately I have been personally watching you tube videos that are of inspiration and motivation. With a goal in mind to look at things through a different scope and to manifest positive thinking daily.

I found this above quote from Denzel on a you tube mini clip and found some of his speeches to be very positive and moving.

You readers should consider to the same and especially current entrepreneurs as many are in this entrepreneur game alone. We need to thrive off of good things as often times entrepreneurs do not hear of good feedback. Or get the tap on the shoulder like an employee would from their boss or supervisor.

Many business owners do not get praise much so now we need to look at other avenues to keep the dream and mindset alive.

Keeping things lite and positive is very important to seeing you through peaks and valleys. Try to visualize success, joy and good things and tell the negative ones to go away. As this will help build your life up and your business. As Brett Wilson once said in a speech try and stay the course, and try not get too high or too low and stay even and keep going forward.

Choosing The Right Franchise & Business Broker

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 19:50:53 GMT

Choosing The Right Fit Broker & Filtering Through All the Franchises & Businesses Available in Canada

When a buyer starts the process and looks at exploring businesses of what is available to purchase can be a frustrating task at times.

There is often times a lot of junk available and often times not enough quality to look at. One must be patient and sift through options and businesses that are on the market. A solid broker can guide you through things to breakdown what you as a buyer are looking for. Get to know your broker and let them know what your passion is and what you enjoy. Try not to just focus on the profit all the time. As when you are enjoying a business often times the profit follows.

Choosing a solid broker often times should not cost you any upfront cash other than your time. As most brokers are paid by the businesses and franchises like we are at Top Shelf Franchising.

So take your time talk to a broker who knows business. See if these brokers have owned a business and what type of experience they have. Brokers should be seasoned and know business. Our team of brokers and associates all have entrepreneurship DNA built in their past, and have owned many businesses before. We as a top shelf team can relate to how you feel and what type of journey this is to find the right business. So take your time and the road to acquiring a business is a long cycle and there is no rush.

Top Shelf Franchising Team

Top Shelf Tips on Buying a Business

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 22:19:07 GMT

Top Shelf Tips Before Buying or Starting a Business

Often times we at Top Shelf Franchising see buyers spending a great deal on procrastination and wondering if this is the right time. Yes this is normal thinking however is not always progressive in moving ahead or stepping away.

Here are some tips that you can sponge upon before making your choice to acquire a business or start one:

1. When purchasing a business one must ask what can I do, and what will I do to make this business successful. How will I grow this business and what do I want to do to build this business.

2. Do I see myself inside this business or location running the day to day? If so how does that feel when putting that hat on?

3. Do you have a support team or someone lean on? As being an entrepreneur can be a lonely road and having a team or support is key to feed off of. So try and surround yourself with other entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off of.

4. There is never a right time. In fact when times are slow or economic times are of stress that is even a better time to open or acquire a business. As rents are more favorable and costs can be lower upon entry. One can use this as an advantage in more cases that one.

5. Try and have a cushion of operating cash set aside. This cushion allows one to weather a stormy day or week and then can be replenished with stronger weeks.

6. Don't listen to naysayers - Those who have never owned or opened a business shouldn't be good people for advice. Talk to other entrepreneurs first and the most. Then digest. Many will give opinions however will not go down this road themselves.

7. Go with your Gut. What does your gut say? Not your ego push that aside. As many times ego gets in the way and many entrepreneurs who taste success will talk about letting go of your ego to become successful as a business owner.

8. Carving out a slice of Niche. Ask yourself does this business have a shaved & carved slice out of a Niche? Niche will get you threw some ups and downs. If you are not prepared to go through an up or a down then maybe finding or staying with your job might be better off.

Tony Kereluke

Top Shelf Franchising

Entrepreneurs need to focus on what is important - building your business

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 00:19:12 GMT

Canadian Franchise & Business Consulting Tips

Most entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world have to wear many hats on a daily basis. Based on this reality, an entrepreneur must not lose focus on things that are of extreme importance such as focusing on revenue generation.

Ask yourself, what is most paramount and most important for your franchise business and or business? Simply put, revenue generation, generating new customers and establishing repeat customers should top your list. Driving business should be a strong focus day to day.

Paperwork and other back end things should be delegated as one can not do everything because not everyone can great at "everything." Even if you are great at “everything,” a focused and direct approach to what drives your business is far more important.

Ask yourself on a daily basis if what I am doing as a business owner or franchise owner. Is this generating revenue or having a direct result of building my business? If the answer is no, then delegate this task to someone else. As your focus needs to be on building the business.

In short, focus is the key to the success of any business or franchise. Time management is the key to any business. Learning how to delegate on remedial tasks takes some practice and is an art form in itself. As the general, the leader, and an entrepreneur it is up to you to take care of your customers and clients as this has a direct link to the revenue generation arm of your business.

Tony Kereluke
CEO & Founder
Top Shelf Franchising

Minimalist Movement Is Key For Entrepreneurs

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 00:12:08 GMT

The Minimalist Lifestyle

You often hear of the phrase, "term less is more." Well its sister and close relative is the minimalist mentality.

As Humans, why do so many of us think the more we have, the better and more successful we are or the better we feel? Then as the years go by you may come to realize that all these things we have longed for and possessions are not the answer to truly being free and happy.

The minimalist wave is not just a trend but a solid and true movement to have less and then do more. Being free from clutter and things that slow you down is the golden key.

Today there are just way too many distractions along with more pings, rings, texts, applications on multiple devices then there is emails. Why can we not simply turn off the rings, pings and sounds when an email comes in? Or choose to not have any apps to have less? In fact I personally don't have one app on any device and it feels great! Having less in this case allows me to generate revenue and run my business effectively.

By minimizing all these little things that maybe you are not noticing could be a first step. I have a simple theory. If I have not used something in over a year or worn something in a year, it gets donated or tossed. As it is slowing me down and getting in my way. Try it one day and you will feel free and a mini sense of freedom.

Trimming some fat off costs and overhead runs in the same family of minimalism. Shave down or try to cut costing and see how that feels. I bet a big weight might come off your shoulders and you will feel a sense of natural organic relief. As Canada is not a cheap place to live and is an expensive place in all factors of life.

That being said, this takes discipline and some sacrifice. If you are not prepared to sacrifice something then you might not get as ahead as you once thought you could. Entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world make sacrifices that most do not want to take. This is why the upside is blue skies. Most entrepreneurs are fine with driving a low cost vehicle versus fueling their ego to have more and more. So moving forward ask yourself many questions of minimalism and less is more and are you doing this? Or are you going the other way? At the end of the day its the little adjustments that add up in a big time way.

Tony Kereluke
CEO & Founder
Top Shelf Franchising

3 Tips On Starting a New Business From A Start Up

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:47:52 GMT

Top Shelf Franchising - Start Up Tips

Are you going through the process of starting a new business or looking at a location to open? Or simply firing up a new concept from a start up.
Our team of seasoned entrepreneurs have been involved in over 7 successful start ups. Yes all successful! It's one thing to start a business then it's a hole other kettle of fish to transition the start up to successful levels.

3 Steps of Recommendation when firing up a business:

1. Surround yourself who has done it before and sponge around other entrepreneurs who have tasted success. As too many know it all or have their opinion however many people have never tasted success as an entrepreneur. So try and be around others within this fashion.

2. Feel the streets and marketplace of your place of business. Spend time at the local star bucks and watch who is coming and going and do this for weeks. Drive the area with determination to learn and feel the vibe of the market. Talk to other business owners and others who live in the area and get their feedback. Keep in mind that not all will say good things and could be that they are not in a good place so take the feedback with a grain of salt.

3. Keep it lean and get quotes from other vendors to compare pricing. Many do not shop around enough and hustle and then essentially the start up costs rise due to not being aggressive on this front.

Tony Kereluke
tony@topshelffranchising.com - Feel free to contact us for a free 30 minute consultation.

Less Is More Mentality

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Thu, 25 May 2017 16:44:06 GMT

Less is More Mentality & Rebooting Overhead Management

Often times our North American society programs us to acquire and have more “things” however the consequence of this programming results in having more overhead, bills and monthly costs. Why do many of us fall into this high monthly cost and higher pressure trap? What about the theory of "less is more"? Have you ever thought about restructuring your overheads at home and your entire cost breakdown per month? If things appear to be high on the monthly bills and overheads, have you thought about trimming the fat or downsizing to make your life more enjoyable? Perhaps it is time to shift things by starting over and doing it right this time. Each year and often times quarterly, food costs increase and gas prices do not seem to decrease even when oil is down. Further, we are told inflation is only a percentage over the previous year which appears to be deceitful through manipulated statistics that we are given. As the inflation statistic is released to us in Canada it seems to omit food and gas essentially skewing the numbers and appearing to be deceitful.

After traveling through Italy for 3 weeks and spending time in Sicily this month it really made me wonder why do we as Canadians live for so much material ‘stuff”. It seems to be about obtaining more and more “things," a bigger house, a more expensive car trap and for what? One's ego?

There should be a shift in mentality with a focus of having less “things" in life. In addition, most will actually enjoy a much more simplified lifestyle. The result can then trigger more travel to see the world. Drive a small cheaper car to weather storms that may come our way and have more side reserve cash to use as you see fit.

Moving forward try and think about whether your costs are too high? If the answer is yes, then don’t be afraid to reboot and start over. Clear the desk off and start fresh. It takes some determination and guts to do this however when you do, what a feeling it will be every day. Not to mention the pressure that will be released and the freedom you now have daily.

After all aren't we all entitled to be free and to have freedom to walk through the lemon garden and not be trapped and stuck by our own doing.

Listing your franchise or business at the right price

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 22:38:19 GMT

Thinking of selling your business? What's is it really worth?

Thinking of selling your business? Wondering what it is worth and most importantly what a buyer will pay for all your hard work?

Many business owners think about what they have put into launching their business and what they will get back into their pocket are at times two totally different situations.

When formulating a valuation of your franchise or your business, are you using a formula or are you simply thinking what it is worth to you personally? To further confirm what your valuation should be or get some assistance with this process, one should think about calling a top-producing, results driven broker to evaluate and establish a price, thus getting you closer to an accurate sale price and ensuring that your listed business does not stay on the market longer than it needs to.

Do you know what valuation formula is the most common for your business?

Typically in Canada, it is in the range of 3 to 4 times discretionary income by adding up what the owner takes home from the business and multiplying it 3 to 4 times. In some cases the valuation could be higher with a long-term lease in place or if the equipment holds a very strong asset value that produces cash.

Give our team a call today and we will assist in evaluating your business free of charge.

Tony Kereluke
Top Shelf Franchising

Build your business with purpose and humanity

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 01:46:03 GMT

Send a message with purpose and humanity about your brand

After attending The Gathering Conference at the Banff Springs in Banff Canada. This event hosted some of the largest and successful brands in the world, something really resonated with me after the 2 day gathering event. Their importance of building your business and brand with purpose. Essentially, it revolved around the idea of sending your message with purpose and humanity. I must have heard this message over 10 times from the key note speakers of the largest brands around.

Try and connect with your community and by making a difference in someone's life or many lives, your business feels better along the way as well. Yes it’s that simple. So try today and connect with someone or something with purpose and humanity. Then feel free to share and tell your story.

Top Shelf Franchising
www.franchiseopportunitiescanada.co

Begin With The End in Mind

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 01:37:08 GMT

Begin With The End In Mind - Plan An Exit Strategy

Often times owners of small or medium size business do not have an exit strategy in place. As I see this weekly and monthly from entrepreneurs in Canada.

The thought of working on the preparation to have their business sold is very cumbersome and a daunting task. Based on these factors, it usually takes a back seat to other things.

Many entrepreneurs are heavily focused on building and managing their business day to day along with trying run and manage their family life.

That being said, one must begin to think of the end in mind and keep that focus in the back of their mind. The payout at the end is the fruits of your hard work and labor!

If you are a current entrepreneur or thinking of acquiring a business.

Try and ask yourself a few of these questions:

1. Do you have your financials showing the discretionary income add back summary broken down, so you know what is going back into your own pocket? You need to ensure that your accountant isn't just slapping together your financials without the direction of showing certain line items? If not we should talk more!

2. Do you have an option to renew your current lease? This option to renew can increase the overall value inside your valuation and sale price. Further, it will allow you to protect your asset and overall business.

All these little things add up significantly to build value to the new buyers coming on board and consequently will raise your valuation. Try and begin as you start your business with the end in mind. Should you do an asset sale or a share sale? Do you know what option is better for you and do you know the difference? I have personally done both types of deals for my corporations and have assisted in over 100 of these transactions.

Give us a call for a free 30 minute consultation and we can talk more on how to prepare your exit.

Top Shelf Franchising
www.franchiseopportunitiescanada.co

The Entrepreneur Movement

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 22:18:52 GMT

The Entrepreneur Movement

With super successful shows like The Profit, Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den taking North America by storm, it appears there is a serious entrepreneurial movement taking place and surging with more momentum than ever before. More and more people are realizing that becoming an entrepreneur allows them to control their own destiny thus the reality for many is this path to move, in a real way, to their next life journey.

Unfortunately, major corporations are not looking out for your own best interest and are more focused on shareholders and stock price than their employees. This corporate mentality is forcing many individuals to think about how they can own their own business and the type of business they can fire up and start!

When I became an entrepreneur over 12 years ago in Calgary, Alberta with $500 to get started, there was nowhere near the level of focus on entrepreneurship. Today, it is a much much different story and I see it every day when meeting people who are wanting just that. This is so refreshing to see!

Becoming and moving into the entrepreneurial world is not easy and it appears that society has set things up this way to not be easy and making this an “only the strong survive mentality.”

One must be super resilient and not let naysayers or negativity get in the way. This is very key. This is tested time and time again as one transitions into being their own boss and running their own show. Trying to surround oneself with other entrepreneurs is critical as most corporate people cannot help you and simply just do not know how to help even if they wanted too. Reading many books on successful entrepreneurs as I did when starting out gave me the belief that yes, this is going to happen. Keep dreaming and build up your strong levels of belief of what you want and then go after it like a lion in the jungle and don’t stop!

It's just to easy to find an excuse when things aren't working - build up that thick skin mentality

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 19:05:44 GMT

Thick Skin People are proven to Succeed the most

During some down times I often tend to enjoy reading, understanding and or watching about successful people and how they managed to become successful. It’s very interesting to hear the story behind the story.

If you picked up any book or watched any biography on any successful person they seem to have this same common trait in play. Thick Skin is what they have and many times often have gone thru hard times to blow thru to the next level.

Let me ask you have you ever met a soft successful person in business? Not many around that is for sure. So when things happen in life and life throws you a curve ball do you fold up and pack it in? Or do you ask yourself how do I deal with this? What is the solution that I can think about? Some focus on the problem over and over again without even thinking about the solution that is just one thought away.

Quick back story: In 2009 in Calgary, Alberta Canada I had the worst year in my top shelf franchising brokering business and my revenue fell 250% from 2008. It was an absolute difficult time and very stressful. That being said, I conditioned more layers of skin to shed. I stayed on the offence, kept at it and kept shooting at the net. I refused to say things such as "oh the economy is bad" or "the banks shut off lending to small businesses" or "no one wants a business during this recession". I re-positioned myself and my company so that today I am able to reap the fruits of my labor. I stayed on the offence and then went onto starting up a retail consignment clothing store in 2010 and then partnered up to start a successful Mexican restaurant in late 2010 with very low capital down in Calgary. I am I happy I didn’t start blaming the economy. As today my franchise brokering company is my main business and has grown into having 3 associates expanding across North America.

Success is failure turned inside out so next time you get kicked in the teeth get up and come back for more and watch what happens in your life. Those who don’t quit and shed a layer off their skin are the ones to look out for and the ones who will ultimately be successful in life and in business.

Balance & Lifestyle are the golden key to successes

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 17:00:42 GMT

Take advantage of your Canadian lifestyle back yard

We often hear the phrase, "balance in lifestyle" however for many, this does not translate into reality. Balance in lifestyle is the single most important aspect of my life and has been since I started my own business.

In fact, lifestyle and balance is more important to me than simply making money!

When I started my first business in Calgary, Alberta which was a restaurant & hospitality consulting company in 2005. The main focus of this start up was to strip myself away from the corporate world and to establish a flexible balanced lifestyle. Monetary gain was not the primary focus of this start up. Yes, I agree that money is important but often times is not the single most important focus. When one center's their focus exclusively on simply following money it often times takes away from what the primary goal should be which is wealth & lifestyle creation. Often times leading you down the wrong path. Your energy and time should be spent on how to create success and how to build your business to higher levels. I found that by focusing on this actually resulted in greater revenue generation and better results acquiring new customers and clients.

At the end of the day, try and build a lifestyle for yourself where you can think clearly and think about creating & building something special. Creativity comes right out of you once you are balanced and properly aligned.

Tony Kereluke
CEO & Founder
Top Shelf Franchising Corp

Thick Skin Management

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 01:35:33 GMT

There are not many soft entrepreneurs around so try and build up those layers of skin to be successful

http://rapidboostmarketing.com/tony-kereluke-self-starter-self-created-entrepreneur-who-has-been-involved-in-5-successful-start-ups/

Risks & Fear & Some Points to Manage it

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 19:09:10 GMT

Don't be Afraid to take a risk - Blow through the fear!

Often times in life we all need to take a risk or two to really strive forward to a next level. Taking a risk does not mean one has to risk the family farm and hopefully it works mentality. There are calculated risks one can look at, and a risk can simply be leaving a job that you do not like or are overworked at and changing a new path. That is a calculated risk that one must look at from time to time in life. Try and say to yourself when feeling fear of even taking a small risk that it is ok to feel this way. Ask yourself what is the worst case scenario and will the whole house come crashing down if this doesn't work? Fear is often the reason why people do not succeed. As they let this fear take over versus blowing right through the fear or telling it to go away.

Let me ask you have you ever met a successful person that didn't take any risks? or let fear control them on making a decision? There really isn't many and would be hard pressed to find one around.

A few suggestions to combat fear and risks:

1. Avoid watching the negative news on TV. It is fear being planted inside your mind and one suggestion is to read the newspaper as then you can choose to read the information you wish to read.

2. Try and embrace change and fear and let it be known that it is there and then choose to run through it. Then once you do that you are on the other side of fear and you run it now.

3. Try not to live in the wish i could have world or i wish i should have. Be a doing and not a wisher.

4. Get out a dream road map. Write down where you want to go and read it over and keep on updating it. Have you ever met a successful person that did not have dreams and goals? ZERO around so start one today.

The more you ask the more you know and don't try and think you know it all in business

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 17:21:52 GMT

It is ok to ask for business advice from one who owns businesses

Written by:

Tony Kereluke

CEO & Founder at Top Shelf Franchising Corp

True Story:

A restaurant owner in Calgary, Alberta Canada takes over a suffering restaurant two years ago and gets a great deal on buying the existing business. He then converts this business to his use and concept. Then proceeds to do some excellent business in addition to building up a solid repeat customer base. This week I visited the location as a customer and he informs me that the landlord is not renewing his lease. I asked him when you took over the suffering business how much term on the lease was in place. He mentions two years left. I then asked was there an option to renew after that term? Answer unfortunately was no. I asked did you hire anyone to assist you and unfortunately the answer was no again. This was really sad to hear.

This is an unfortunate circumstance I’ve heard many times and now this owner has lost his investment and will not recoup his initial investment and has basically burned two years of work building up his customer base as well.

A Few key points to take note when looking to take over an existing business:

Always always always ensure there is an option to renew the lease and if there is not one then it is advised to add this language as a condition when taking over the business. If there is less than 5 years left on the lease when buying.

1.Try to do a new lease with the landlord and terminate the old lease. This ensures you have a long term lease in place and gives you and your business stability. Also ensures that you can tighten up language in your own lease.

2.Hire a consultant to assist you to ensure that these little things are not missed and to most importantly protect your investment and business for the long term.

3.Begin with the end in mind. Meaning the longer the lease you have the better position you have to sell your business down the road. If you have a short term left on your lease you should have an option in place to renew at a new rate.

4.Give Top Shelf and our team a call to assist you and to protect yourself from future issues arising down the road.

The Art Of The Hustle

tony@topshelffranchising.com (Tony Kereluke) — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Hustling is a good thing at times

After spending 3 weeks in Nicaragua, San Juan Del Sur & various locations around Costa Rica. Which is a paradise country of great vibes if you haven't been. It is apparent that we as Canadians need to learn more in how to hustle. The word hustle can often be perceived as not the most positive at times. Guess what it is ok to hustle! Just be clean with your hustle and do good and good things will happen!

We as North Americans rely on getting a job way way to much to pay the bills and to get ahead. This is not the best solution as when times get tough you need to know how to hustle. People who rely on corporate jobs don't know much about the art of hustling. What do you mean by Hustling Tony? Hustling can be selling off some of your clothes, unloading furniture on craigslist and on Kijji. Or creating products or service to sell to others. Or learning a new skill to create another stream of income for yourself. There many channels of the art of the hustle and many times people think you are crazy or poor if you are hustling out and about. This is a poor way to think as we all need to learn more about the art of the hustle.

For example the Costa Ricans are always hustling all the time. One front desk party who worked at my hotel tries to get me a taxi when going home or to another area of Costa Rica. Then that front desk person who lined you up a taxi gets a cut for brokering the deal. Why can't you do this in your area or set up system of your own to generate a passive income? Or a referral system?

I have many referral systems in place to create the win win where people bring me business or clients and I pay these people fees for the win win. This is a big part of my success by formulating the win win on all fronts. As last month i paid out 7000 dollars in hustling referral fees. All of us won and will keep continuing to win. So starting next week or even tomorrow and say to your self hey maybe i should focus my energy on hustling a little more, and watch what happens when you shift those thoughts to that area.

Written By: Tony Kereluke CEO & Founder