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A checklist for every stage.
One printable page per stage. The key moves and the finish line, each with a box to tick, so you always know what’s next and when a stage is truly done.
Preview: the finish line for each stage
01
Start
- Customers who don’t know you personally are paying you.
- You make money on each sale after direct costs.
- Your books are current and separate from your personal money.
- You can say who you serve and why they choose you in one sentence.
02
Grow
- You can predict next month’s leads within a reasonable range.
- At least one channel brings in customers without you personally.
- You know what a customer costs to win and what one is worth.
- New sales add profit, not just revenue.
03
Stabilize
- You can see your cash position thirteen weeks out.
- Your books close on time every month, and you read them.
- You have a cash reserve, and you add to it.
- Your core processes are written down and followed.
- Payroll week is just another week.
04
Run better
- You can take two weeks off and the business runs normally.
- Your team reviews a weekly scorecard without you prompting it.
- Someone other than you runs day-to-day operations.
- Most of your week goes to strategy, key relationships and growth.
05
Plan the exit
- The business runs without you for months, not weeks.
- You have clean, consistent financials for at least the last three years.
- No single customer, supplier or employee can sink the business.
- You know what you want, and your advisors are lined up.
- You have real options, and the choice is yours.
The PDF adds every key move for each stage, space for notes and a target date. Read the reasoning behind each item in the roadmap.
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All five checklists in one PDF. All you need is an email.
You don’t have to build it alone.
If you want a second set of eyes on your stage, I’m glad to be a sounding board. My first priority is helping you grow.