When times become lean for small businesses, cash reserves are critical. Business cycles come and go and often leave devastation behind them. Having cash reserves is crucial for surviving those inevitable seasons of drought.   If we study history, we can quickly realize that recessions do happen. On average, recessions occur about every seven years. To prepare for these looming downturns, […]

Every budget process I can recall has projected a revenue increase the following year. Yet, since 1923, America has experienced 15 recessions: approximately one every seven years.   This caused me to reflect on UBN’s history. We began in January 2002. Seven years later the Great Recession hit, resulting in a difficult year financially for UBN.   2016 had some personnel and […]

Bill felt isolated and depressed. As a small-town employer, Bill felt he had to guard his business problems from the local rumor mill, leaving him no place to turn.  As a new member in our network, Bill discovered we were available to help. We provided counsel, yet we knew that Bill needed local support as well.   The fear of rumors […]

Rick is an entrepreneur in Arizona who struggled in business for years. Then God took Rick through a significant health challenge that drove him to rely on God more than ever before.   Upon recovery, Rick decided to apply that same reliance on God for his business as well. When he did, God revealed that the root of sales and profitability […]

My friend, Rob, recently spoke on three primary ways that businesses can honor God. The third and final method identified was to glorify God through financially-driven methods.   Like Joseph in the Bible, there are leaders who God gives an ability for making money. These successful leaders are often driven to be extremely generous with their wealth. Their generosity funds the […]

My friend, Rob, recently spoke on three primary ways that businesses can honor God. In this series, we are addressing these three methods.   The second method to honor God is by being people-driven. Sadly, some business leaders treat others like a commodity to be used for selfish ambition.   However, a kingdom-focused business, needs to realize that God has entrusted our […]

My friend, Rob, recently spoke on three primary ways that businesses can honor God. In this series I want to address each of these three methods.   But I also want to note that you may discover other ways to honor God besides these three.  Rob’s first method mentioned was honoring God through your company’s products or services. When we use […]

In America, when we pray “give us our daily bread,” I suspect most of us don’t really mean it. We usually desire far more than just today’s provision.   There are seasons, however, when some small business owners see payroll approaching and discover there is simply no cash in the bank. Suddenly, praying for our daily bread may seem more relevant.   […]

Matthew Richards was a children’s pastor with a secret. His Lenexa, Kansas home was in default and his family was scheduled to be evicted. Matt’s wife and children were unaware of their impending homelessness.  According to the news, Mr. Richards thought it would be better if his family died rather than face eviction. Leading this pastor to stab his wife […]

Columnist David Brooks has written in the past on the difference between resume virtues and eulogy virtues. Resume virtues are the jobs and career accomplishments you’ve held in your lifetime.   Eulogy virtues, however, are your character traits. Brooks concluded that eulogy virtues have longer term value than resume virtues. This became clearer to me at a recent funeral I attended.   […]