The Gray Cat Blog

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

 
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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The Keys to Developing People Aug 08, 2025

One of my favorite parts of managing a team is developing people.  Give me the understated employee or the overachiever and my desire is the same – how can I make them better for the team and better f...

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Project Management Aug 05, 2025

“The nice thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression.”  — John Harvey-Jones

If you get in a car in Chicago wi...

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Retail and the Invasion of AI Aug 04, 2025

Recently, I appeared on the "You Don't Know What You Don't Know" podcast with Steve Denny where we discussed AI and its impact on retail.

Here is a short clip.

Want more ideas?  For more information...

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Referral-based Clients Aug 04, 2025

There are nameless, faceless, emotionless lead generation tactics and there are networked, referral-based, competency-vetted client leads.

On this episode of the Founders Future podcast, I discuss th...

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Standing out on LinkedIn Aug 04, 2025

Recently, I appeared on the Elite Growth Partners podcast with Ashur Elliot where I was asked how I attract potential clients and stand out on LinkedIn.

Here is a short clip.
 
Want more ideas?  Fo...
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