Members, managers, and managing members: Who's on first base in your LLC?

by Kathy Tremmel

Tremmel Law

Kathy Tremmel has significant experience both as a business attorney and corporate executive. Her career spans both legal practice and business management and she opened her own solo law practice in January 2010. In additional to running her own practice, she also is of Counsel with Selman, Munser & Lerner, which is a business transaction law firm in Austin, Texas. Ms. Tremmel has more than 10 years’ experience as a business attorney, providing transactional legal services to a diverse client base, from start-up ventures to well established companies. She helps companies with all their contracts, including customer agreements, non-compete agreements, employment agreements, buy-sell agreements, loans, and leases, helps people set up new businesses, and represents buyers and sellers of businesses. In addition, Ms. Tremmel has 10 years of management experience working with start-up companies. As VP of Operations at Tusker Group, an international litigation support company, Ms. Tremmel led international teams, managed production and quality issues, handled price negotiations, worked closely with clients to determine the scope of their projects, provided project management services, and developed, implemented and documented best practices for processing and training. Ms. Tremmel earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Colorado School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College. She is a Texas licensed attorney and a certified Project Management Professional.

The terminology for limited liability companies can be confusing. For instance: who are the members, managers and managing members?

All of the owners of an LLC are its members, similar to stockholders in a corporation.

There are two different possible management structures for LLCs: A manager managed LLC or a member managed LLC.

Topics: Business Operations, Business Best Practices, Legal, Strategic Planning

The Five C's of Lending Revisited - Character

by Gary Green

Business Bank of Texas

Gary attended the University of Texas for his undergraduate degree, and then went on to receive a master’s degree from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking. Since then he’s worked at several banks, most recently as the branch president of First National Bank Edinburg. Prior to that, he served as the senior vice president at Prosperity Bank. Gary has been in banking for over 40 years, and in the Austin market for nearly 30 of those.

Back in 2011, our CEO, Ed Lette, wrote about the Five C’s of Lending. Given how important these factors are in the lending process, I thought it would be helpful to look at each one of these areas a little more closely.

Topics: Featured, Business Best Practices, Accounting & Finance

How Leaders Change Organizations

by Selene Crosby

Six Sigma Expert

Ms. Crosby has 20 years of experience developing, implementing and improving successful business processes and projects in both technical and non-technical environments. Her areas of expertise include process improvement methodologies, process mapping, business process automation, analysis, project management, audit and internal controls processes, technical writing and training design. She is a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), holds a Six Sigma black belt, Lean Bronze certification and an Innovation Engineering black belt. Ms. Crosby has been the Program Manager for Analytics Transformation at Andeavor Corporation (formerly Tesoro), worked in the Process Engineering Section at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) as part of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) program, assisting small to mid-sized manufacturers in becoming competitive in an increasingly global economy by becoming aware of and implementing process improvement and business strategies. Ms. Crosby held a variety of roles at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati OH from September 1998 to June 2012 and attained internal P&G certifications including Continuous Improvement, Business Process Transformation and High Impact Training. .

One of the terms I see frequently in literature on Leadership is “transformational leadership.”  This term was coined by Dr. James Burns, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian who studied great leaders in history and authored a book called Leadership in 1978. Since then, there has been a lot of research done and a model of transformational leadership has been developed. But the basic definition of transformational leadership is leadership that identifies needed change, creates a vision to guide the change, and executes the change in tandem with the organization.

Topics: Business Best Practices

The 3 Financial Statements You Need to Keep Your Banker Happy

by Ed Lette

Business Bank of Texas

Ed Lette is a Founder of Business Bank of Texas. Serving as a licensed CPA since 1983, Ed’s extensive experience in the banking industry has led him to become the founding president of four national bank charters including Business Bank of Texas, N.A., and the chief financial officer of five national banks during his 45 year career. Ed serves as director of the Texas Bankers Association District 4, chairman of the Executive Advisory Council to the School of Business at Texas Lutheran University, and is a life member of the Texas Association of Business.
 

Whether you’re looking to get a line of credit, plan for tax payments, or simply identify strengths and weaknesses within your business, keeping clear and accurate records is vital for business owners to succeed.

But managing your company’s finances can be daunting, and there are many ways your financial reporting can get on the wrong track (just check out Dwayne Kolly’s recent post to see what not to do). To make sure your finances run as smoothly and accurately as possible, it helps to simplify.

There are three primary financial statements business owners need to focus on to ensure their companies operate effectively.

Topics: Business Best Practices, Bank Customer Tips

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Winning Financial Success in Business: Episode 11

by Philip Campbell

Consultant, Author

Philip Campbell is a CPA, consultant, and author of the book A Quick Start Guide to Financial Forecasting: Discover the Secret to Driving Growth, Profitability, and Cash Flow Higher. This new book provides a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide to one of the most powerful financial tools in business: a reliable financial forecast. He is also the author of the book Never Run Out of Cash: The 10 Cash Flow Rules You Can’t Afford to Ignore. The book is a step-by-step guide for business owners and managers who want to better understand and manage their cash flow. Since 1990, Philip has served as a financial officer in a number of growing companies with revenues ranging from $5,000,000 million to over $1,000,000,000. He has been involved in the acquisition or sale of 33 companies (and counting) as well as an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Philip loves helping entrepreneurs and business owners think strategically about the financial side of their business. His consulting work is focused on providing the financial insights that leaders need to increase profits, improve cash flow, and enjoy the fruits of financial success in business. What really sets Philip apart from the average financial person you meet is his passion and excitement about helping entrepreneurs and CEOs take control of their cash flow. In fact, early on in his career, he focused and “preached” so much about the importance of cash flow that people now call him CASH. Philip is the founder of Financial Rhythm, a website devoted to people who are serious about creating financial health, wealth, and freedom in their business. If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, Financial Rhythm is a place to get simple, actionable strategies for creating a financial future that is bigger and brighter than your past. Philip lives in Austin, Texas. You can email Philip at pcampbell@pdq.net.

In this episode of "Winning Financial Success in Business," we'll continue look at step 4: create a reliable financial forecast for the next 6 to 18 months.

In a few short minutes, I'll talk about some of the key ingredients of a reliable financial forecast. I'll also share the story of a business that used financial forecasting strategically to help them drive growth. 

If you need to catch up or revisit past episodes, you can find them here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Topics: Business Best Practices

Winning Financial Success in Business: Episode 10

by Philip Campbell

Consultant, Author

Philip Campbell is a CPA, consultant, and author of the book A Quick Start Guide to Financial Forecasting: Discover the Secret to Driving Growth, Profitability, and Cash Flow Higher. This new book provides a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide to one of the most powerful financial tools in business: a reliable financial forecast. He is also the author of the book Never Run Out of Cash: The 10 Cash Flow Rules You Can’t Afford to Ignore. The book is a step-by-step guide for business owners and managers who want to better understand and manage their cash flow. Since 1990, Philip has served as a financial officer in a number of growing companies with revenues ranging from $5,000,000 million to over $1,000,000,000. He has been involved in the acquisition or sale of 33 companies (and counting) as well as an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Philip loves helping entrepreneurs and business owners think strategically about the financial side of their business. His consulting work is focused on providing the financial insights that leaders need to increase profits, improve cash flow, and enjoy the fruits of financial success in business. What really sets Philip apart from the average financial person you meet is his passion and excitement about helping entrepreneurs and CEOs take control of their cash flow. In fact, early on in his career, he focused and “preached” so much about the importance of cash flow that people now call him CASH. Philip is the founder of Financial Rhythm, a website devoted to people who are serious about creating financial health, wealth, and freedom in their business. If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, Financial Rhythm is a place to get simple, actionable strategies for creating a financial future that is bigger and brighter than your past. Philip lives in Austin, Texas. You can email Philip at pcampbell@pdq.net.

In this episode of "Winning Financial Success in Business," we'll continue look at step 4: create a reliable financial forecast for the next 6 to 18 months.

In a few short minutes, I'll share 10 guiding principles that will help you as you begin to create a forecast for your business' financial future that you can trust.

If you need to catch up or revisit past episodes, you can find them here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Topics: Business Best Practices

Selling Your Business: Money isn’t Everything

by John F. Dini

John F. Dini is a consultant and coach to hundreds of business owners, CEOs and Presidents of companies with over 11,000 hours of delivering face-to-face, personal advice to entrepreneurs. He is the author of three business books including Beating the Boomer Bust and 11 Things You Absolutely Need to Know About Selling Your Business, now in its second edition. He is a serial entrepreneur, but prefers the term “chronically unemployable.” John holds a BS in accounting from Rutgers University, and an MBA from Pepperdine University, and has six additional certifications in exit planning, business brokerage, behavioral analysis, medical practice management, facilitation and coaching. John writes numerous articles on small business topics for newspapers, magazines, and in his own blog at www.awakeat2oclock.com. He speaks frequently to business groups and national associations, and is a 15-year member of Jim Blasingame’s “Braintrust,” appearing regularly on “The Small Business Advocate,” a nationally syndicated radio program, as an expert in the issues of business ownership. His latest book, Hunting in a Farmer’s World: Celebrating the Mind of an Entrepreneur, has won recognition including “Best Business Book” at the New York Book Festival and the National Silver Medal for business books from the Independent Publishers’ Association.

We teach our kids that “money isn’t everything.” But selling your business is perhaps the biggest financial event of your lifetime. How important is money then?

Most owners are bombarded with solicitations from business brokers and private equity groups. The reason is simple: the cost of funds has been very low for a decade. Returns on bonds and deposits are in the low single digits. Many investors are searching for better returns, and privately held companies have become an attractive option.

Topics: Business Best Practices

Winning Financial Success in Business: Episode 9

by Philip Campbell

Consultant, Author

Philip Campbell is a CPA, consultant, and author of the book A Quick Start Guide to Financial Forecasting: Discover the Secret to Driving Growth, Profitability, and Cash Flow Higher. This new book provides a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide to one of the most powerful financial tools in business: a reliable financial forecast. He is also the author of the book Never Run Out of Cash: The 10 Cash Flow Rules You Can’t Afford to Ignore. The book is a step-by-step guide for business owners and managers who want to better understand and manage their cash flow. Since 1990, Philip has served as a financial officer in a number of growing companies with revenues ranging from $5,000,000 million to over $1,000,000,000. He has been involved in the acquisition or sale of 33 companies (and counting) as well as an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Philip loves helping entrepreneurs and business owners think strategically about the financial side of their business. His consulting work is focused on providing the financial insights that leaders need to increase profits, improve cash flow, and enjoy the fruits of financial success in business. What really sets Philip apart from the average financial person you meet is his passion and excitement about helping entrepreneurs and CEOs take control of their cash flow. In fact, early on in his career, he focused and “preached” so much about the importance of cash flow that people now call him CASH. Philip is the founder of Financial Rhythm, a website devoted to people who are serious about creating financial health, wealth, and freedom in their business. If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, Financial Rhythm is a place to get simple, actionable strategies for creating a financial future that is bigger and brighter than your past. Philip lives in Austin, Texas. You can email Philip at pcampbell@pdq.net.

In this episode of "Winning Financial Success in Business," we'll look at step 4, all about creating a reliable financial forecast for the next 6 to 18 months. In a few short minutes, I'll talk you through this process, which will allow you to make more confident, profitable financial decisions for your business. 

If you need to catch up or revisit past episodes, you can find them here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Topics: Business Best Practices

Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.

by Dave Sather

Sather Financial Group

Dave Sather is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and President of the Sather Financial Group, Inc. Sather Financial Group is a $400 million “fee-only” wealth management firm based in Victoria. Sather Financial is ranked as one of the top independent wealth management firms in the country according to Financial Advisor Magazine. Dave was raised in El Paso, received his B.A. in Business Management from Texas Lutheran University and received his M.B.A. from Texas A&M University. He has spent the past twenty years in the financial analysis, investment and banking industries. Dave is an adjunct professor in the business program at Texas Lutheran University. Additionally, Dave is a director of Business Bank of Texas as well as the Chairman of the Finance and Investments Committee for the Brownson Children’s Home and is a member of the Executive Advisory Council at Texas Lutheran University. He resides in Victoria, Texas.

At age 12, Amy Simmons’ life took an unusual turn. Her mother suggested she read the 1,100-page novel, Atlas Shrugged. Although Amy went on to obtain degrees in Psychology and Biology, the lessons on capitalism in Atlas Shrugged made their mark on a budding entrepreneur.

Over the last 30-plus years Simmons has developed and expanded the Amy’s Ice Cream operation to 15 stores in Austin, San Antonio and Houston with the motto, “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.” Recently she added Phil’s Ice House and Honey’s Pizza to the family. Simmons is a tireless champion of community businesses, employee education and charity. Oh, and she is a mother of three. I am convinced she never sleeps!

Recently, my Texas Lutheran University students were fortunate to have Simmons on campus to speak about life and business.

Topics: Business Best Practices

Winning Financial Success in Business: Episode 8

by Philip Campbell

Consultant, Author

Philip Campbell is a CPA, consultant, and author of the book A Quick Start Guide to Financial Forecasting: Discover the Secret to Driving Growth, Profitability, and Cash Flow Higher. This new book provides a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide to one of the most powerful financial tools in business: a reliable financial forecast. He is also the author of the book Never Run Out of Cash: The 10 Cash Flow Rules You Can’t Afford to Ignore. The book is a step-by-step guide for business owners and managers who want to better understand and manage their cash flow. Since 1990, Philip has served as a financial officer in a number of growing companies with revenues ranging from $5,000,000 million to over $1,000,000,000. He has been involved in the acquisition or sale of 33 companies (and counting) as well as an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Philip loves helping entrepreneurs and business owners think strategically about the financial side of their business. His consulting work is focused on providing the financial insights that leaders need to increase profits, improve cash flow, and enjoy the fruits of financial success in business. What really sets Philip apart from the average financial person you meet is his passion and excitement about helping entrepreneurs and CEOs take control of their cash flow. In fact, early on in his career, he focused and “preached” so much about the importance of cash flow that people now call him CASH. Philip is the founder of Financial Rhythm, a website devoted to people who are serious about creating financial health, wealth, and freedom in their business. If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, Financial Rhythm is a place to get simple, actionable strategies for creating a financial future that is bigger and brighter than your past. Philip lives in Austin, Texas. You can email Philip at pcampbell@pdq.net.

In this episode of "Winning Financial Success in Business," I'll dive a little deeper into step 3: diagnosing profitability or cash flow weaknesses. In a few short minutes, I'll introduce a tool that will help you manage your inventory so you can shorten the time between buying your inventory and selling it to your customer. 

If you need to catch up or revisit past episodes, you can find them here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Topics: Business Best Practices

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