The Gray Cat Blog

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

A Time for Self-Reflection Sep 11, 2025

As I reflect on my life and career, I have been blessed with the opportunities afforded me - both personally and in business.  I have met a tremendous amount of high-quality people along the way and h...

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Operationalizing Your Business Plan Sep 11, 2025

We have all experienced it. The dreaded process of spending hours upon hours creating a strategic business plan that maps out the goals of the organization. We develop the targets and create lofty ini...

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The Importance of Developing a Store Attributes Predictive Model Sep 10, 2025

Developing a store attributes predictive model is one of the most important initiatives a growing chain can implement.  With a finite number of resources and investment capital, companies need to ensu...

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Business Planning, Part II Sep 07, 2025

Recently, I had a terrific session with one of my clients on business planning. I have written articles before on the importance of business planning, but this session resonated with me. What was rein...

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What Happens When Marketing Doesn't Work? Sep 04, 2025

I would like to think that every marketing strategy that I have set in motion was a smashing success.

Far from it.

Here is a short clip with Ashur Eliot on his Elite Growth Partners podcast that out...

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Extending the "Team" at Gray Cat Sep 04, 2025

Breaking out on your own can be very rewarding but on some complex projects, you have to surround yourself with expertise.

In this episode of Founders Future podcast with Jae Encarnacion, we discuss ...

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Woo Hoo! Time For Business Planning! Sep 04, 2025

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..”

Ah yes…..the annual business planning cycle is upon us.

The time of the year to huddle all of your business colleagues in a room to hash out the key ini...

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An Entrepreneurial Proud Moment Aug 21, 2025

Longevity of an entrepreneur is a rare commodity.

Think about all of the stores/services that have started and could not make it a year; five years; or a decade.
 
In this podcast with Steve Denny ...
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Expanding your Staff? Aug 21, 2025

Often entrepreneurs are conflicted with adding staff or staying solo.

My approach at Gray Cat has been fairly focused in this area.

On a recent podcast with Ashur Elliot, we discuss this.

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The Challenges with Growth Aug 21, 2025

Everyone wants to grow.  But growth for the sake of growth may not always be the best roadmap.

I recently discussed this with Steve Denny of IBA on his podcast.  
 
Here is a short clip.
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The Art Of Execution Aug 21, 2025

Operational excellence is a retail buzzword that often gets glossed over. Retailers talk the talk, but often miss on walking the walk. Operational excellence has a singular focus: the customer. The cu...

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Helping High Growth Companies Aug 19, 2025

I was fortunate.  I was involved in three high-growth companies:

- Little Caesars (went from 1,300 stores to 5,000 stores in 5 years)

- Clark Retail Enterprises (added 600 stores in 3 years)

- Jimm...

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