A place for the challenges, decisions and outcomes behind small-business improvements.
Nothing on this page is a customer story. We haven't published a verified client case study yet. The two worked examples below show how we'd approach a situation like yours — no client is named, no results are claimed, and every figure is hypothetical. Each one uses the same rules and tools that are live on this site.
Illustrative example · architecture studio
A two-person studio about to sign its first commercial job
Two architects, one employee, mostly residential work. A landlord's tenant fit-out arrives — their first commercial contract, their first public-facing office, and a draftsperson they'd like to bring in on a per-project basis.
What we'd look at together
Whether what they're signing is theirs to sign — the California Architects Board licence, who may call themselves an architect, the written-contract requirement, and the disability-access continuing education every licensee needs.
Whether the draftsperson is a contractor or an employee. California's AB5 ABC test decides payroll, workers' compensation and the penalties if it's wrong — and it's the one call that must be made before the first invoice.
What a public office obliges them to do: barrier removal under the ADA, the Unruh Act, the Sunnyvale business licence, a sign permit, and zoning or Certificate of Occupancy before anyone moves in.
What the job costs before the first payment clears — deposits, insurance, permit fees and software — and whether the studio can carry that.
Where the money goes: hourly rate, projects a month, how many hours a project really takes, and the point at which the studio stops breaking even.
What you'd walk away with
A shortlist of what applies to a firm of two and what doesn't yet — with the official source beside each item.
The two decisions that must be made before signing: worker classification and the contract terms.
A one-page view of the cash needed before the job starts, and the dates they can't miss.
A café with four staff wondering whether a second site makes sense
One café, four employees, a steady lunch trade. A lease two miles away came up cheap, and the owner wants to know whether she can carry a second build-out — and what she'd be taking on by running two addresses.
What we'd look at together
How many customers a day the second site needs before it pays for itself — using the sales, average sale and staffing capacity she can actually cover.
The cash that goes out before the doors open: permit fees, equipment, the lease deposit and insurance, checked against the money she has.
What changes when you add staff and a second address — Sunnyvale minimum wage and licence, food and health permits, workers' compensation, paid sick leave, retirement enrolment, harassment training, and access duties at a public space.
The dates that arrive whether business is good or slow: licence renewals, filings, insurance and permit expiries.
What you'd walk away with
A monthly view of the second café, the daily customer count it needs, and the cash required before opening.
The filings and permits that change with a second location, in the order they have to happen.
A plain answer on whether to sign the lease now, wait, or grow the first café instead.
When we publish a real one, it will explain the business challenge, the work involved and the results the customer has approved for sharing — with their name and business only if they want them shown. Until then, the examples above are the honest version of what we'd do.
Want to see where work gets stuck in a business like yours? Operations Check walks through sample workflows for restaurants, retail shops and other small businesses.
Have a business challenge worth exploring?
Tell us what’s taking your time. We’ll talk through where AI or hands-on help could fit.
