I hate to brag—but I was the coolest second grader in Portage County. When my parents opened a toy, train, and hobby store in a neighboring town, my personal stock soared! It was short-lived though, as I quickly discovered that owning the store didn't mean free toys for me and my friends. Instead, I learned that running a business was about wholesale vs. retail prices, margins vs. discounts, overhead, inventory management, marketing, customer service, and so much more.

Growing up in a family business gave me a unique opportunity to see firsthand the challenges small business owners face—juggling operations, sales, and growth while knowing that each decision impacts their ability to provide for their families. Too often, those critical decisions had to be made without clear visibility into the financial implications.