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Small & Family-Owned Businesses

Practical Guidance, Real Results -- 
By Business Owners, for Business Owners

Overview

Small and family-owned businesses are the backbone of the economy, and at Fortis, they're the backbone of our firm. We understand them not just because we serve them, but because we have been one. That means we know how personal the stakes are, how thin margins can get, and how quickly problems escalate when capital tightens, lenders disengage, or owners run out of time and options.

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Most small business owners don't think of themselves as needing advisory services unless it is something specific, like taxes or legal help. They are resourceful by nature, have done everything from sweeping the floors to paying bills, and are used to figuring things out, even in times of trouble. But there comes a point, after the sleepless nights, the broken bank covenant, vendors stop shipping, or the failed sale, when figuring it out alone stops working. That's where Fortis steps in.

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We don'e show up with buzzwords and binders. We show up with sleeves rolled, ready to stabilize cash flow, right-size operations, reduce chaos, and bring structure to situations that feel like they're slipping away. Whether trying to get ahead of distress, deal with a lender, explore a sale, or simply get clarity on options, we provide practical, judgement-based support that small business owners can actually use.

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Our engagements range from turnaround and recovery to inventory monetization, strategic wind-downs, capitalreadiness, and exit support. We have helped businesses prepare for financing, navigagte court-supervised sales, survive abrupt revenue loss, and recover value. In every case, our goal is simple: give business owners a way forward on terms that make sense.

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When a small business is out of margin for error, Fortis helps take the next step with clarity, competence, and respect for what has been built.

WHAT FORTIS PROVIDES

Practical, real-world solutions to help small business owner's regain control, reduce pressure, and make informed decisions, no matter how complex or uncertain the situation.

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Fortis delivers execution-ready support for owners navigating everything from growth stress and capital needs to cash flow shortfalls, operational decline, or exit preparation. Whether planning ahead, or reacting to a crisis, our services are designed to clarify options, stabilize what matters, and guide our clients through their next move -- without inflated fees or confusing models.

Owner-Aligned Solutions

Cash Flow Stabilization & Margin Recovery

Short-term financial triage, 13-week cash flow modeling, and margin diagnostics to help business owners reset control and stop the bleeding.

Strategic Turnaround & Restructuring

Operational and financial re-alignment for businesses in decline, including cost control, team reset, lender communications, and short-term performance rebuilding.

Inventory Appraisal & Monetization

Valuation and recovery strategy for aging, seasonal, or distressed inventory -- supporting lenders, fiduciaries, and business owners.

Business Valuation & Scenario Analysis

Independent, execution aware business valuations to support sale prep, partner disputes, succession, or distressed exits.

Capital Readiness & Lender Engagement

Support for navigating financing options, communicating with lenders, or preparing for renewal, workout, or recap scenarios.

Exit Planning, Sale Prep & Wind-Down Strategy

Structured planning and execution for business sales, closures, or legacy transitions, including distressed or urgent timelines.

Fiduciary & Legal Process Support

Execution and advisory services during court-involved liquidations, receiverships, Assignement for the Benefit of Creditors (ABCs), or owner-led wind-downs.

What Fortis Provides
When We Help

WHEN WE HELP

Business owners don't always know the exact moment to bring in help, but they know when something is wrong or feels off. Fortis steps in at those turning points, when clarity, control, or capital are slipping away, and helps owners regain direction.

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Cash Flow Shortfalls or Payroll Pressure

When cash flow gets tight and obligations stack up, Fortis builds short-term financial models and action plans to regain breathing room.

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Exit Planning or

Ownership Transition

We support owners preparing for a sale, succession, or partner buyout, with realistic valuations, readiness planning, and execution support.

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Lender Pressure or Communication Breakdown

Whether it's missed payments, covenant issues, or renewal silence, we help reframe the conversation and structure a plan forward.

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Operational Chaos or 

Team Breakdown

When leadership stalls, teams disengage, or problems outpace internal capacity, Fortis brings structure, accountability, and stability back into focus.

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Declining Margins or Unexplained Losses

Fortis helps owners dig into margin erosion, overhead creep, or pricing missteps that quietly erode viability, business value, and asset value over time.

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Legal Pressure or

Business Wind-Down

We assist owners facing forced closure or voluntary wind-downs, helping protect value, comply with obligations, and move on effectively.

Why Fortis
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Why Fortis Business Advisors

Small business owners need more than theory; they need traction. Fortis delivers practical support rooted in operational experience, financial clarity, and a deep respect for the businesses our clients have built.

Built for Business Owners

We are small business owners, too. We understand the weight of payroll, debt, leases, and legacy. And we approach every engagement with empathy and urgency, treating the businesses as if it were our own.

Execution-First, Not Slide-Deck Heavy

We don't just advise, we act. Whether stabilizing cash flow, managing a wind-down, or preparing for a sale, we deliver hands-on support, not theoretical recommendations.

Right-Sized & Cost-Effective

Our structure is designed for businesses under $20M in revenue. That means no bloated teams, no inflated fees -- just focused, senior-level execution that fits the scale of the business.

Objective & Judgement-Driven

We bring clarity to emotional or high-pressure situations, including partner disputes, lender tension, and succession planning, by grounding decisions in facts, logic, and what's actually achievable.

Respected Across Stakeholders

Whether working with lenders, landlords, fiduciaries, or family partners, Fortis communicates clearly, delivers transparently, and earns trust across the table.

COMPLEMENTARY INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS

A comprehensive suite of hands-on services designed specifically for small business owners, whether navigating a challenge, preparing for growth, or planning what's next.

FEATURED SUCCESS

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Valuation & Estate Planning

Consumer Products Manufacturer & Distributor

A formal business valuation supported estate and succession planning for a legacy CPG client, building on prior turnaround and inventory optimization engagements.

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MCA Impact & Turnaround Plan

Multi-Location Uniform Apparel Retailer

Fortis helped stabilize a cash-strapped retailer facing MCA debt, enabling accelerated collections, improved cash flow, and a successful employee-led turnaround after the owner exited.

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Multi-Market Liquidation

Gift & Lifestyle Brands

Retailer

Fortis led a full-scale liquidation of 13 gift and lifestyle stores across multiple states, orchestrating marketing, markdown cadence, and on-site execution to ensure clean exits and strong inventory recovery.

Entrepreneur & 

Business Owner

We turned to Fortis and found expertise mated with excellence, all with a heart for small businesses, like ours.

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Family-Owned 

Business Owner

Fortis helped us restructure and secure an SBA loan we couldn't have obtained without their guidance. Professional, strategic, and deeply knowledgeable.

Entrepreneur & 

Business Owner

The way the store was prepared created urgency, leading to a buying frenzy that led to selling old inventory for the most amount of money I could have expected.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

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In this edition of The Small Business Show, Jim Fitzpatrick and Ben Nicholson delve into the ins and outs of Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs).

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A presentation given at Webinar Wednesday for the CSUB Small Business Development Center.
 

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether facing pressure, planning a sale, or just need clarity, Fortis brings practical solutions and real-world support to help small businesses move forward with confidence.

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