Your Business is the Best Investment You're Overlooking

Written By Tom Kelly

Wall Street may dominate the headlines, but they don’t own the playbook. Entrepreneurs like you have strategies, portfolios, and vision too.

If you own a business, you’re already doing what the wealthiest people in the world do: 

  • You're taking calculated risks to build long-term value... just like they do.

And here’s something many people fail to recognize—every giant company you see today started small. Amazon was just an online bookstore in a garage. Microsoft started with a few lines of code. 

Even the biggest players were once in your shoes: working late, wearing all the hats, and betting on themselves.

Treat your business like the powerful investment it is!

Your Business Is an Investment (Here’s Why)

When people talk about investing, they’re usually referring to stocks and bonds, but what is an investment?

  • A commitment of capital (money, time, or other resources) in the expectation of reaping future benefits.

Remember... your small business is part of your investment portfolio too!

If an outside investor were evaluating your business, what would they want to know?

  • Growth prospects

  • Profitability

  • Competitors

  • Economic outlook

  • How much return on my investment (ROI) can I expect?

  • Am I building ownership (equity) in the company, or just earning income?

So, you must ask yourself, if this were someone else’s business... would I invest in it?


Tip: Think of your business as one of your biggest portfolio holdings—how are you protecting, growing, and tracking it?

Think Like an Investor, Track It Like an Investor

Start by assigning an estimated value range to your business. Focus on key metrics such as:

  • Gross profit margin

  • Net profit margin

  • Value of assets (equipment, inventory, etc.)

  • Amount of debt, Cost of debt

  • Compare monthly or annual changes to your income statements and balance sheet.

  • Is there information on the sales of businesses like yours? This can be a great way to assign a value. 

    • Think of homes, or cars, much of the value is based on market values seen in the sales of comparable assets.

The type of business you run can influence which metrics matter most when estimating value.

  • If you’re a service-based business, your income statement may be the most useful tool. In many cases, your value will be based on revenue or earnings—specifically, net income.

  • If you’re a product-based business, your balance sheet might paint a clearer picture. You can estimate value by looking at assets minus liabilities, especially if you hold significant inventory, equipment, or physical goods.

Tip: Unsure how to run the numbers? An accountant can help you break it down.

Review your key metrics every quarter to stay aligned with your goals and market conditions.

This isn’t about obsessing over every number—it’s about spotting trends, risks, and opportunities early.

Track metrics like:

  • Revenue growth

  • Gross and net profit margins

  • Debt-to-income ratio 

Ask yourself:

  • Is the business gaining value—or just maintaining?

  • What’s improving? What’s slipping?


Tip: Set a recurring calendar reminder for a 30-minute “Investor Check-In.” Treat your business like a portfolio asset that deserves your attention.

Want to See the Numbers More Clearly?

Treating your business like an investment isn’t just a mindset—it’s a practice. It starts with understanding your financials and tracking your business’s value over time.

We created two free worksheets to help you get started:

Financial Statements Guide [https://www.havenfa.com/s/Financial-Statements-Guide.pdf]

A simple example Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet, plus tips on calculating key metrics like gross margin, net profit margin, and debt ratios.

Business Valuation Toolkit [https://www.havenfa.com/s/Blog-Attachment-Valuation.pdf]

Use revenue, earnings, or asset value to estimate what your business is worth—plus examples for service- and product-based businesses and guidance on using market comps.

The more clearly you see your numbers, the more confidently you can grow.

Because you're not just running a business—

You're building long-term value.

Let’s stay connected:
📸 Instagram: @financial_haven
 🌐 Website: www.havenfa.com
 📬 Email: tom.kelly@investwithkim.com

Note: Haven Financial Advisory operates under Kelly Investment Management (KIM), LLC—so you might see “KIM” in the email address!

Tom Kelly

Hey, I’m Tom, founder of Haven Financial Advisory and a firm believer that financial clarity changes everything. I didn’t start my career in finance. I was an auto mechanic, helping people understand what was going on under the hood so they could make confident decisions. That mindset stuck with me.

Becoming a Certified Financial Planner® was about taking that same practical, honest approach and applying it to something just as complex and important... money. I launched Haven to give individuals, families, and small business owners the kind of clear, transparent advice I wish more people had access to.

Now, I help clients make sense of their numbers, build long-term value, and feel confident about the financial decisions they’re making—whether they’re running a business or planning for their future.

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