April 23, 2025
Published by 
Matt Blackwell on April 23, 2025
Matt Blackwell on April 23, 2025In the ever-evolving funeral and cemetery profession, making informed financial decisions is more critical than ever. Whether you’re managing day-to-day operations, planning for a significant capital investment, or considering a business expansion, a well-crafted financial model can be the key to unlocking clarity and confidence in your decision-making. What Is a Financial Model and Why Does It Matter? A financial model is essentially a comprehensive summary of your funeral home’s income, expenses, and cash flow, all neatly organized in a spreadsheet. It is designed to answer pivotal questions about your business’s future. For funeral home owners, a financial model can help you: Plan Your Budget: Ensure that your revenue streams—from services like funeral arrangements and merchandise sales—cover your expenses, including staff wages and facility upkeep. Evaluate Investments: Decide whether purchasing new equipment (such as a retort or updated vehicles) or […]
January 28, 2025
Published by Matt Blackwell on January 28, 2025
Matt Blackwell on January 28, 2025Selling a business is both a significant milestone and a complex endeavor. One recent case involved the sale of a family-owned business and offered valuable insights for owners preparing to sell. The challenges faced during this process revealed three crucial lessons every business owner should keep in mind to achieve a successful transaction. Establish Clear and Realistic Expectations One of the biggest hurdles in this case stemmed from unrealistic expectations about the business’s value. The owners’ valuation, heavily influenced by external comparisons, far exceeded what the market deemed reasonable. This misalignment led to initial frustration and delays in negotiations. What Owners Can Learn: Understanding the factors that influence a business’s valuation is critical. Relying on sentimental value or unsubstantiated comparisons can lead to disappointment. Instead, work with experts to gain a realistic perspective grounded in market trends, operational metrics, and […]
October 30, 2024
Published by Matt Blackwell on October 30, 2024
Matt Blackwell on October 30, 2024You may have been approached in the past about purchasing a competing funeral home, or maybe you have actively approached some of your competitors about purchasing their firm so you can grow your market share. One way or another, you have probably heard something about Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). It’s true that acquisitions can be a great way to grow your business, but you should understand the risks associated with them. Alarmingly, studies show that between 70% and 90% of acquisitions fail to deliver the anticipated value. Despite these statistics, M&A activity continues to rise, fueled by the demand for growth amidst sluggish organic expansion. Understanding the inherent risks associated with these transactions is essential for navigating these challenges effectively. Overpaying Overpaying for an acquisition is one of the most critical risks in M&A. The valuation gap between buyers and […]