Build a Business Everyone Wants to Buy
(Even If You Don’t)

Build a Business Everyone Wants to Buy hero image

Build a Business Everyone Wants to Buy
(Even If You Don’t)

Most mid-market leaders are focused on growth, but not all growth creates value. In fact, many companies unknowingly cap their valuation by growing in ways that add complexity, risk, or owner dependency instead of long-term strength.

In this Business as “Un”usual session, Red Caffeine CEO Kathy Steele is joined by Jim Canfield of Class VI Partners to unpack what truly drives enterprise value and saleability. Together, they explore how leaders can shift from running a business day-to-day to building a valuable asset that creates optionality, whether an exit is near or not.

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What to Expect:

You’ll learn how buyers evaluate businesses, why some companies command premium valuations, and what practical steps owners can take now to reduce risk, strengthen their growth story, and build a business that’s easier to scale and easier to sell.

Session Highlights:

Why not all growth increases enterprise value and how to avoid common valuation traps
The five elements buyers look for in a credible, compelling growth story
How reducing owner dependency dramatically improves saleability
Where risk hides inside customer concentration, revenue models, and operations
How value creation benefits owners, employees, and customers, even without an exit

Ready to build a business everyone wants to buy?
Watch the session now.

“The most valuable companies aren’t just growing, they’re reducing risk, building strong teams, and telling a credible story about where they’re going.”
— Jim Canfield, Class VI Partners

Guest

Jim Canfield
Vice President - Strategic Alliance
Class VI Partners

Jim Canfield has had a life-long passion for leadership. Jim started his first business, a trucking business, at the age of 27 with his brother…

Jim Canfield has had a life-long passion for leadership. Jim started his first business, a trucking business, at the age of 27 with his brother who was 24. Starting from one truck the first day, three years later they had 150 trucks and 250 employees in 17 locations around the southeast. They ultimately sold that company to their largest customer. Jim went on to be part of a founding group of a company in the investment industry. The company serving financial institutions eventually developing a niche in the credit union sector. Jim and his partners ended up building the largest firm serving credit unions off Wall Street. They sold that company to First Union Bank. Still in his 30’s, Jim became the youngest chair ever hired by Vistage. He went on to run peer groups in his hometown of Memphis TN for almost 10 years. He was then asked to join the executive team of Vistage in San Diego. As Vistage’s first Chief Learning Officer, Jim was responsible for recruiting, hiring, and training all incoming chairs. Jim went on to be to be president and CEO of another peer group company also based in the San Diego area. Jim has trained over 500 leaders to build, lead and facilitate peer groups. Next, Jim authored the book, CEO Tools 2.0: How to Think, Lead and Manage like a CEO. Jim began to speak for Vistage and in less than six years did almost 500 presentations on CEO Tools for Vistage. During this time, Jim was named Speaker of the Year three times, for Vistage in Canada, for Vistage UK and for Vistage Worldwide. Jim is now a part of Class VI Partners as part of the Class VI Pathfinder program. His new program, the Value Creation Formula, will challenge us to find new ways to build a more valuable, and more salable company.

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Host

Kathy Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Red Caffeine

Kathy Steele is a visionary leader and entrepreneur with over thirty years of corporate strategy, branding, marketing, and technology expertise. As an operating executive, consultant,…

Kathy Steele is a visionary leader and entrepreneur with over thirty years of corporate strategy, branding, marketing, and technology expertise. As an operating executive, consultant, founder, and board member, she advises executives on innovative growth, brand, and talent management strategies that drive shareholder value while protecting reputational risk and improving customer and employee engagement. Currently, Kathy is the CEO of Red Caffeine, a growth consultancy that builds Grow-to-Market™ strategies for mid-market companies in the manufacturing, technology, professional services, and education sectors with combined revenues exceeding 4 billion. She has advised executives on developing and promoting first-mover technologies, positioning and launching new products and services, changing brand perception to aid business turnaround, and helping organizations with their human capital strategies. Kathy has successfully guided management of a crafting product from idea to acquisition by the largest strategic player in the space, a technology product launch campaign that led to 80% revenue growth, more than doubling their business, and an award-winning repositioning strategy that reached a global audience, changed negative market perception and drove new customer acquisition.

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Catch up on Past Livestreams

Missed a livestream? No worries! We've got you covered. Check out our past events below for actionable insights on business growth and more.

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Build a Business Everyone Wants to Buy (Even If You Don’t)

Business As “Un”usual • February 19, 2026

Jim Canfield, Kathy Steele

Most mid-market leaders are focused on growth, but not all growth creates value. In fact, many companies unknowingly cap their valuation by growing in ways that add complexity, risk, or owner dependency instead of long-term strength.

Watch the Replay

Are You Underfunding Your Future? Rethinking GTM Budgets for Growth, Visibility & Competitive Advantage

Business As “Un”usual • January 22, 2026

Chris Arndt, Kathy Steele

Mid-market leaders face rising costs, shifting buyer behavior, and growing pressure to do more with less, yet most still budget by tweaking last year’s numbers. That outdated approach no longer matches what it takes to drive demand, win attention, and stay competitive.

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Compensation Reset: Balancing Inflation, Culture, and Competitive Pay

Business As “Un”usual • December 11, 2025

Mary Lynn Fayoumi, Kathy Steele

As wages rise and customers push back on higher prices, business leaders are stuck between supporting their people and protecting their margins.

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The Succession Story That Happened Without Warning

Business As “Un”usual • November 13, 2025

Christine Rogers, Kathy Steele

What happens when you suddenly inherit a business and a legacy overnight? For most leaders, succession is something planned and mapped out over years with advisors, timelines, and transitions. But not every handoff comes with this much warning.

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Is Acquisition the Right Growth Strategy for Your Business?

Business As “Un”usual • October 9, 2025

Barnet Rogers, Kathy Steele

Acquisition isn’t just for private equity firms. For many mid-market companies, it can be a practical way to accelerate growth, access new talent, or expand into new markets. The challenge is knowing if it’s the right move for you.

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Uniting Your Brand and Your People Post M&A

Business As “Un”usual • September 18, 2025

Marty Bondar, Amy Anderson, Kathy Steele

Financials and operations often dominate the M&A spotlight, but your brand is where real alignment (or misalignment) happens. When done well, your brand becomes the bridge that unites your cultures, your stories, and your people.

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The Revenue Reset Part 2: How to Define and Win Blue Chip Clients

Business As “Un”usual • August 14, 2025

Scott Peterson, Kathy Steele

Sales shouldn’t feel like guesswork. If you’re still trying to scale without a clear strategy, an Ideal Client Profile (ICP), or consistency, it’s time to reset.

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The Revenue Reset Part 1: From CRM Chaos to Sales Clarity

Business As “Un”usual • July 10, 2025

Dayna Kramer, Kayla Portillo, Kathy Steele

Sick of CRMs that feel more like digital junk drawers than revenue machines? If your leads are stalling, your pipeline is leaky, and it feels like sales and marketing are working on separate planets, this video is for you!

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Modern Sales Meets Old-School Smarts

Business As “Un”usual • June 12, 2025

David J.P. Fisher, Tom Latourette, Kathy Steele

Let’s face it, today’s buyers are skeptical, the tech stack is bloated, and cold outreach is colder than ever. To break through, you don’t need more tools; you need better judgment, deeper trust, and the skills to blend timeless strategies with modern tactics.

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What the Heck is Happening  in Today’s Workforce?(Live Answers from an HR Expert)

Business As “Un”usual • May 8, 2025

Mary Lynn Fayoumi, Kathy Steele

Join Red Caffeine for a live, interactive session on May 8 exploring today’s most pressing workforce challenges, from DEI and AI in hiring to hybrid work and leadership readiness. Ask your questions and hear real-time insights from HR expert Mary Lynn Fayoumi.

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Driving Growth in Food Manufacturing: How One Company Differentiated Their Brand

Business As “Un”usual • April 10, 2025

Kate Rome, Kathy Steele

As a fourth-generation, family-owned manufacturer, Rome knew they needed to evolve to stay competitive. But instead of following industry norms, they rewrote the rules, revamping their brand, reshaping their culture, and building a growth strategy that they own.

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ESOP Advantage: A Win-Win Succession Plan for Owners and Employees

Business As “Un”usual • March 14, 2025

Gary Gray, Kathy Steele

Have you heard of the “Silver Tsunami?” As baby boomer owners retire, family businesses are facing a wave of transitions—through succession, sale, or closure. With over half of U.S. small businesses owned by those 55+, the next five years will reshape the landscape of generational ownership. On this edition of Business as “Un”usual, we’ll explore Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) as an option for exit.

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Sloan and The Cubs: Hitting Innovation Out of the Park

Business As “Un”usual • February 11, 2025

Kirk Allen, Kathy Steele

What do Sloan Valve Company and Wrigley Field’s ivy-covered walls have in common? A legacy built to last. As a fourth-generation leader of his family business, Sloan CEO Kirk Allen knows the challenges and opportunities of staying relevant in a fast-changing market. With insights on creating impactful partnerships, evolving leadership structures, and innovating for customer-centric growth, this session is your playbook for building a future-ready business.

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Strategic Leadership for a Fragmented World

Business As “Un”usual • January 16, 2025

Mark Parrott, Kathy Steele

The world is changing fast—economic shifts, political polarization, and societal divisions are reshaping how businesses operate. But leaders who can anticipate these changes have a chance to thrive. Watch Kathy Steele, CEO of Red Caffeine, and Mark Parrott, financial strategist and author of the top-rated book Meta-Trends and the Next Economy: Turn Potential Losses Into Major Profits, in this Business as “Un”usual Livestream. Together, they break down the economic shifts shaping the future.

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Beyond the Buzz—Using AI to Cut Inefficiencies & Elevate Creativity

Business As “Un”usual • December 13, 2024

Kristi Zuhlke, Kathy Steele

It’s no secret—AI is everywhere. But is your organization truly harnessing its power, or just following the trend? In this practical Business as "Un"usual event, Red Caffeine CEO Kathy Steele and CEO & Founder of Dott Technologies Kristi Zuhlke unpack a straightforward framework to help you utilize AI in a way that makes sense. Learn to save time on tasks that hold you back while amplifying the human element that drives your business.

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The Ensemble Approach to Business: Enhancing Sales Collaboration Through Improv

Business As “Un”usual • November 14, 2024

Erin Diehl, Kathy Steele, Tom Latourette

Is your team struggling to stay aligned during client interactions? Improv can help! Improv helps teams become more adaptive, creative, and collaborative by teaching them how to respond effectively in unpredictable situations and work together seamlessly.

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Thriving in Uncertainty:
HR Strategies for Economic, Technological, and Legislative Shifts

Business As “Un”usual • October 10, 2024

Mary Lynn Fayoumi, Kathy Steele

Are you prepared to lead your organization through the next wave of workforce changes? From the rise of AI-driven recruitment strategies to the growing trend of employees choosing stability over new opportunities, the way we attract, engage, and retain talent is shifting. Coupled with upcoming changes in employment legislation, 2025 is set to be a year of transformation for HR and business leaders. In this Business as "Un"usual Livestream replay, Mary Lynn Fayoumi, President and CEO of HR Source, and Kathy Steele, CEO of Red Caffeine, break down the trends and provide you with the tools to build a comprehensive and future-ready workforce strategy.

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B2B Growth Trends From Automation to Acquisition: What to Have On Your Radar for 2025

Business As “Un”usual • September 12, 2024

Amy Anderson, Bill Skowronski, Kathy Steele

B2B markets are evolving faster than ever, and staying ahead means knowing what trends to watch and how to adapt. This Business as "Un"usual event offers an exploration into the future of B2B growth, hosted by Red Caffeine's top experts including Amy Anderson, VP of Client Services, Bill Skowronski, Content Director at Red Caffeine, and Kathy Steele, CEO of Red Caffeine. During this highly engaging session, we explore the technology, strategies, and leadership approaches that will shape 2025 for mid-market companies. From leveraging AI and sales automation to adopting innovative customer engagement methods, this discussion is filled with insights designed to help you rethink your growth strategies. Whether you're planning to scale your business or optimize your current processes, this replay will provide the guidance you need.

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Rebranding for Long-Term Growth: A Must for Evolving Businesses

Business As “Un”usual • August 8, 2024

David Doyle, Kathy Steele

Explore the essential elements of rebranding for long-term growth with Kathy Steele, CEO of Red Caffeine, and David Doyle, CEO of Heidenhain Corporation. Together, they explore the strategic importance of rebranding beyond just a new logo

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Discover the Power of Better Answers: Elevate Sales with Answer Intelligence (AQ)™

Business As “Un”usual • July 12, 2024

Brian Glibkowski, Tom Latourette, Kathy Steele

Your sales team needs to ask thought provoking questions AND give answers that connect with your clients! Much like a great dinner conversation, a great sales pitch incorporates a balance of talking and listening.

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Acquiring Success: M&A Strategies for Forward-Thinking Leaders

Business As “Un”usual • June 13, 2024

Remo Picchietti, Amy Anderson, Kathy Steele

This session is packed with insights into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Whether you're an experienced executive refining your acquisition strategy or just exploring M&A as a new avenue for growth, this Livestream has something for everyone. Join Kathy Steele, CEO of Red Caffeine, as she hosts a discussion with Remo Picchietti, VP of Strategy and Corporate Development at The Bowler Company, and Amy Anderson, VP of Client Services at Red Caffeine.

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Beyond the Pitch: Aligning Sales Strategies with Customer Needs

Business As “Un”usual • May 16, 2024

Kathy Steele, Tom Latourette

Sales is a process. In order to level up your entire sales team, you have to know what your top performers are doing behind the scenes to be successful. According to veteran sales trainer, Tom Latourette, they’re likely focused on positioning themselves as strategic partners instead of order takers.

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Enhancing Business Adaptability with Fractional Staffing Strategies

Business As “Un”usual • April 11, 2024

Kathy Steele, Mary Lynn Fayoumi

Learn about the mechanism of fractional staffing, including the evaluation of candidates, crafting roles that align with strategic business needs, and the cultural integration of fractional employees.

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The Branding Blueprint for Business Success

Business As “Un”usual • March 21, 2024

Kathy Steele, David Karbin

Revisit the insights shared by Kathy Steele and Vice President of Lexco Cable David Karbin as they discuss Lexco’s branding journey. With the help of Red Caffeine, Lexco has successfully navigated the complex process of a brand transformation, emerging as a standout leader in the wire rope industry.

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Navigating The Future Of SEO

Business As “Un”usual • February 17, 2024

Kathy Steele, Victor Lopez

In this Business as "Un"usual event led by Red Caffeine CEO Kathy Steele, our SEO Expert Victor Lopez offered an insightful exploration into the latest SEO trends.

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Insight-Driven Success: Mastering Customer Research for Business Growth

Business As “Un”usual • January 12, 2024

Kathy Steele, Ryan Paul Gibson

Ryan Paul Gibson provided invaluable insights into the world of customer research during our January Business as 'Un'usual livestream. He emphasized the critical role of understanding customer perspectives in developing effective business strategies.

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Why & How Orbitform Quickly Produced the Orbitform UVC Decontamination Chamber

Business As “Un”usual • January 9, 2024

Phil Sponslor , Kathy Steele

Phil's supervision of Orbitform shows servant leadership in action – creating a culture of continuous improvement executed by-high-performance teams which has led to strong financial results.

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Navigating The Future: Mastering Succession Planning And Business Strategy

Business As “Un”usual • January 8, 2024

Ed Barone, Kathy Steele

CEO of Red Caffeine, Kathy Steele, and Wealth Manager Ed Barone delved into the essential strategies and considerations for preparing your business for a successful transition.

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Plan Strategically And Get More
Out Of 2024 Trade Shows

Business As “Un”usual • December 4, 2023

Glen Ruggiero, Kevin Fett

In case you missed our November Business as “Un”usual livestream, we talked to Kevin Fett (Ion Exhibits) and Glen Ruggiero (On Location) about how companies can get the most out of their 2024 trade show events.

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How to Be a Best and Brightest Company

Business As “Un”usual • December 4, 2023

Kathy Steele, Jennifer Kluge, Mary Lynn Fayoumi

Every company understands the importance of selling its own products and services. But, far fewer companies connect the dots between how they communicate with their customers and how they communicate with their own employees.

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Get Ahead Of 2024 Planning Now

Business As “Un”usual • December 4, 2023

Kathy Steele, Christiana Henry, Amy Anderson, Bill Skowronski

In a very special Business as “Un”usual livestream, Kathy Steele welcomed Red Caffeine Vice President of Client Services, Amy Anderson, Account Director, Christiana Henry, and Senior Content Marketing Manager, Bill Skowronski, to share their insights regarding long-term planning as companies look ahead to 2024.

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