David shares expert insights into buying and selling small businesses, highlighting why acquiring an existing business can be faster, easier, and less risky than starting from scratch.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/556-david-barnett-buy-right-business/

Thinking about buying a business but unsure where to start? In this episode, David Barnett, business consultant, author, and expert in small business acquisitions, joins Henry Lopez to share practical strategies for buying and selling businesses successfully.

David explains why acquiring an existing business is often faster, easier, and less risky than starting from scratch, how to find the right business to buy, and common mistakes to avoid when structuring a deal.

David also breaks down key financial considerations, including seller financing, avoiding excessive debt, and ensuring cash flow sustainability. Plus, he shares insight into how to identify a motivated seller and why the so-called "silver tsunami" of baby boomer business sales may not be what many expect.

"It's not about just getting the deal done - it’s about ensuring you don’t overpay and that the business will actually work for you after the purchase." – David Barnett

Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make smarter business decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

Former tech executive LLance Kezner shares how he turned his passion for home cooking into Millie’s Sipping Broth, a specialty food brand offering savory, health-conscious beverages in tea bag form.

LLance discusses his journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, the challenges of scaling a food business, and the milestone of landing his award-winning product on Walmart shelves nationwide.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/555-llance-kezner-kitchen-to-shelf/

In this episode, LLance Kesner, a former tech executive turned food entrepreneur, shares his journey from the corporate world to launching Millie’s Sipping Broth, a specialty food brand that is now available in Walmart stores nationwide.

LLance discusses how he and his wife, Lori, took a simple idea—creating a healthier, more convenient alternative to bouillon cubes—and turned it into an innovative product that combines the comfort of broth with the convenience of tea bags.

LLance walks us through the early days of developing the product in their kitchen, validating demand at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and navigating the complex world of food manufacturing and retail.

He also shares the challenges of scaling, including finding the right co-packer, securing funding, and ultimately winning Walmart’s highly competitive “Golden Ticket” opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

• Start fast, learn fast: LLance emphasizes the importance of getting a product to market quickly and refining based on real customer feedback. “Don't waste any time, don’t overthink it. Really focus on the simplest application of your product and get it in front of people who might buy it.”
• Solve a real problem: Millie’s Sipping Broth fills a gap in the beverage market—offering a savory, low-calorie alternative to coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. “We were selling broth in the middle of summer, in 100-degree heat, and people were buying it. That’s when we knew we had something special.”
• Scaling smartly: LLance explains why finding the right retail partners at the right time is crucial and how their online success, including being featured by Weight Watchers International, helped prepare them for mass distribution.

Now available in over 2,500 Walmart locations, Millie’s Sipping Broth is a testament to the power of persistence, product-market fit, and strategic partnerships.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com

When to quit - How to Know When to Pivot or Persevere.

When to quit a project, a marketing campaign, a product line, a business model or perhaps an entire small business.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/554-when-to-quit/

When should you quit versus push through?

In this episode of The How of Business, Henry Lopez explores the challenging decision of whether to persevere through difficulties or strategically quit and pivot to something better.

Inspired by The Dip by Seth Godin, Henry breaks down the difference between temporary struggles (the dip) and dead-end situations (cul-de-sacs), helping you make smarter decisions in your business.

“Extraordinary benefit accrues to the tiny minority of people who are able to push just a tiny bit longer than most.” – Seth Godin, The Dip

This episode for small business owners addresses:

How to recognize if you’re in a dip or a dead end.

The dangers of sunk-cost thinking and why quitting isn’t failure.

Why persistence leads to success—but only when applied in the right places.

How quitting can free up resources for more promising opportunities.

“Quit the wrong stuff, stick with the right stuff, have the guts to do one or the other.” – Seth Godin, The Dip

If you’re struggling with whether to keep going or pivot, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run and grow your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com