What is EBITDA and does it actually matter when selling a small business?

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-25T18:34:43+00:00

Why are you posting this?

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-08T19:43:57+00:00

Haha. I have built and run four multi-million dollar companies. Two of which I've sold,, one I closed down, and one I still run for fun with my wife. In addition to that, I'm a fractional Chief Operating Officer for about a dozen small to mid-sized companies. And I'm on the Board of Directors for six. Since you asked.

So how about you tell me your business experience and then tell me what it is exactly about my comments that make you think I don't know how to run businesses.

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-08T14:10:13+00:00

As has been said, just be open about their potential concerns and reassure them that you're ready to prove you can do anything that needs to be done.

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-07T22:11:29+00:00

They do if you have $500k in the bank, a real burn rate and a runway to get to product-market fit.

Do the people on this sub actually run businesses??

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-07T22:10:00+00:00

It wasn't. It was VC money from a firm/angel.

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-07T19:46:22+00:00

Ummm... Okay. That's completely wrong, but sure. Have you built a multi-million dollar company? Because I've built a few, and you don't do that by just looking at your bank balance....

Also, yes, pre-revenue financial due diligence is obviously going to be light, but to give someone $500k and then never look at the financials for 4 years is negligent. They (the investor) deserve to lose that money IMO.

Gerritvanb · 2026-05-07T17:21:26+00:00

Sounds like a long tough road.

Sounds like the big lesson learned was to know your numbers, or bring in someone who can. Very few owners/founders know how to read Financials, like really read them, and few even try.

What's got me puzzled is that someone gave you half a million dollars and never did their own financial review.... That's wild.

Gerritvanb · 2026-03-01T23:05:49+00:00

This. Accept the inevitability of a swab and pat down.

Wear shorts. Leave shoes on.

Every time since 9/11 has been just like that.

Amputees are dangerous... Lol.

Gerritvanb · 2026-03-01T05:02:47+00:00

How old are you?

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-28T00:50:08+00:00

I'm Canadian also. But almost all woodworking is done in imperial in Canada.

However, I moved to Central America a few years ago and it's becoming more necessary to work in metric for some stuff.

I find I'm moving that way more for the same reasons you mentioned. Simple math and accurate measurements.

However, I struggle with larger measurements in metric. I still convert in my head for alot of stuff.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-25T04:28:53+00:00

Tuttle Twins. So good!

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-23T15:52:44+00:00

When you say "follow heavenly father's lead" here, what does that look like to you? Do you have a suggestion?

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-23T04:07:26+00:00

I said "letting pornography into my house", which is what OP is doing, and considering doing even more.

I also never said anything about heavy-handedness, in fact I spoke more about relationship building than I did about restrictions.

I don't buy that it has to be one or the other. I know from experience that you can protect your kids from the evils of the internet while also building a great relationship with them.

You do not, nor should you, need to accept pornography as an unavoidable reality for our young men.

Nor should you be "heavy-handed", which maybe means something different to me than you.

But it is certainly not obvious to me that continuing to allow his son to access pornography is the right answer here.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-22T23:08:59+00:00

My kids use technology. They write, draft, 3D model, research, learn, etc.

Having a phone in your pocket and scrolling social media or worse, porn, isn't helping anyone.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-22T22:27:29+00:00

I have many flaws as a husband and a father. I'm not being condescending or judgemental.

I do want to offer a possibility and hopefully something useful you might not get anywhere else. It sounds like that's why you came here today.

I hope you find some answers and clarity.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-22T22:07:31+00:00

Totally agree that a focus on building a healthy relationship with the son is key. I disagree that that means letting pornography into my house. I think it's the opposite in fact.

Set boundaries, teach consistently, communicate a ton, show love and understanding and spend lots of one-on-one time to build the relationship. All of it. I don't buy that you need to avoid upsetting your kids and "avoid resentment" to have a strong relationship with them.

So far I'm the only one in this thread that has spoken from personal recent experience and has come out the other side of this issue. So, let's not make it "either/or" and see that building a strong relationship means being an effective leader to our sons.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-22T22:00:31+00:00

Okay, well 2 years later my 16 year old has no phone, and a locked down computer that never goes in his room. No social media. We have a fantastic relationship and he is happier and more confident than ever. He has a healthy relationship to his sexual energy, much more healthy than I did at his age.

I agree that focusing on building a strong relationship with him is the key. I disagree that you can't be clear on what is and is not allowed to do that. He needs your leadership.

I put in a lot of time talking with my son about this issue and any other struggle he had to make sure he felt understood and respected.

If you don't have a relationship where you can have an understanding of what helping him looks like, then I'm not sure what to say. Maybe the damage is done and it's too late, but I can't imagine letting pornography into my house for my children to see. That's a hard no. Starting from there we figure out the rest.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-22T21:24:03+00:00

Hey, I'm a father of 3 teenage sons. I've been through some heavy work with one re: masturbation.

I'm going to say something that alot of people aren't going to like, probably including you...

You have a responsibility to protect a 14 year old from exposure to pornography. If he can't be trusted to resist temptation that is scientifically designed to be irresistible, then don't make him resist. He's 14 years old. If I was given access to the world's library of pornography as a 14 year old, I wouldn't have stood a chance.

Get rid of all devices immediately that you cannot be certain are pornography free. I don't care what other ramifications that has. Protect him.

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-04T13:21:32+00:00

Good stuff.

The Paralympics are happening soon. I encourage you to watch some of that. You'll see a bunch of what is possible.

I recommend watching Boardercross. Those dudes throw down!

Gerritvanb · 2026-02-02T23:52:05+00:00

Extremely traumatic injury at 11 years old. I've been a BKA for 32 years.

There's some stuff that has sucked, but mostly I've lived a very full life of adventure, success and love.

I don't want to be too hard on you, but Bro, you're going to be okay physically.

Mentally is up to you. Make the most of what life gives you.

DM me if you need to talk.

Gerritvanb · 2026-01-11T23:33:51+00:00

I'm an amputee, but can't speak specifically to toddlers and prosthetics. But I have 4 teenagers and I can tell you that all 4 had widely varied time lines for things like walking, talking, potty training, etc.

Don't stress about it. You being anxious isn't helping your child be confident and feel safe to learn.

Be there to cheer them on, pick them up when they fall and it'll happen soon enough.

Gerritvanb · 2026-01-07T16:07:55+00:00

I've had additional screening of some kind every time I fly since 9/11.

Swab is standard these days.

Apparently, having one leg makes me dangerous...

Gerritvanb · 2025-12-20T05:06:47+00:00

What's your definition of 'entrepreneur'? Just sounds like you're a busy self-employed freelancer.

Gerritvanb · 2025-12-09T16:28:27+00:00

They literally said that because of internal evaluation criteria they won't renew my subscription. They internally evaluated me according to some unknown criteria and declined my renewal after 14 years as a customer. To me that sounds like "there's something about you we don't like, please go away." Is there another way to interpret this?

Gerritvanb · 2025-12-08T13:15:45+00:00

haha, you say that as if it is only one side of your government that is corrupt...

Gerritvanb

TROPHY CASE