The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multi-unit operators. 

If You Build It, They Will Come May 21, 2025

When times are good, let the capital dollars flow! 

Developing and constructing new locations for a multi-unit operator is perhaps one of the most gratifying events in the overall health of the chai...

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Establishing Leadership Credibility May 19, 2025

Recently, I was a guest on the Jada Willis podcast focused on leadership and establishing credibility.  

For many of my interim roles, I have to quickly learn the business while concurrently establis...
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Building Trust with Prospects May 19, 2025

Recently, I appeared on the Elite Growth Partners podcast with Ashur Elliot where I was asked my advice for starting a new services business and attracting prospects.

 
Here is a short clip:  
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Local Store Marketing: Overcoming Retail Wallpaper May 07, 2025

Customers who may have patronized your new store when it first opened may now be looking past it due to familiarity of surroundings. Savvy retailers need to shake it up a bit on occasion to continue t...

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Integrating Acquisitions May 07, 2025

Growing your enterprise can usually be accomplished following two paths: a) organic growth – the process of building your overall portfolio of stores through the development of ground-up store build o...

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Managing A Retail Real Estate Portfolio Apr 18, 2025

For the multiunit operator, managing a retail real estate portfolio is tricky business. Keeping winning stores in tip-top condition – both physically and financially – is the key to long-term success....

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Sales Forecasting Basics Apr 18, 2025

A while back, a gentleman that wanted help selling his company approached me.  I listened to him describe all the attributes of his company and I was intrigued.  He gave me an overview of the past, pr...

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Conducting a SWOT Analysis Apr 09, 2025

Nothing like an acronym in the title!

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that helps companies gain a better understanding of where they are positioned in the marketplace.  In a nutshell, SW...

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Developing Open Communication With Your Vendor Partners Apr 07, 2025

Imagine a business world where resources were plentiful and industry expertise could be available at every juncture. Where decisions could be made that dovetailed alignment in support of your strategi...

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Facing Challenges as a Sole Proprietor Mar 27, 2025

Recently, I appeared on the C-Suite Sherpa's podcast with fellow Chicagoan Brian Marshall where we discussed the biggest challenges facing a sole proprietor.

Have a listen to this 100-second clip.

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Local Store Marketing: Promoting Your Store Through Public Relations Mar 27, 2025

Public relations can incorporate a number of items and each should be interwoven in a consistent theme. At the beginning of the year, identify key people, events and community tie-ins that you wish to...

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Forming An Advertising Co-Op Mar 23, 2025

When a multi-unit organization begins to grow, one common step in this process is the creation of advertising and purchasing co-ops that enable stores to pool their financial and strategic resources. ...

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