Christopher (Toph) Day

Florida is not a trend. It’s an investment thesis. I’ve been following Florida market data for a while, and what Q1 2026 just confirmed is hard to ignore: The CEO Economic Outlook Index from the Florida Council of 100 closed at 98 points, well above the national average of 89. But the data point that stood out the most to me was another one: the capital investment (capex) index rose to 91 points, the highest level since this indicator began being tracked. This isn’t optimism. It’s action. And this is not an isolated phenomenon. Florida’s economy has outpaced national GDP growth by an average of 2.3 percentage points over the past four consecutive years. No state income tax. A population that continues to grow. And Miami solidifying itself as a fintech hub for Latin America. My take? When CEOs of the state’s largest companies are increasing capital expenditures to record levels, they’re not betting on the short term. They’re positioning for the next decade. For those of us thinking about diversifying wealth or expanding operations into the U.S. market, Florida continues to be one of the strongest entry points and this moment reinforces that. Do you have assets or a presence in Florida? I’d be interested to hear your experience. To learn more, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/egsqiSY6

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Most founders don't know you can convert an LLC into a C-Corp to qualify for QSBS. Here's what that actually looks like. Why it matters QSBS lets you exclude up to 100% of federal capital gains when you sell. But LLCs don't qualify. Only C-Corporations do. The good news: you can convert and start the clock. 3 ways to convert You can use a state-law conversion (Delaware makes this easy). You can file a Check-the-Box election with the IRS. Or you can form a new C-Corp and move the LLC's assets or member interests into it. Each path gets you to the same place. Your tax advisor picks the right one for your situation. One hard deadline The company's gross assets must stay under $50 million at conversion. After July 4, 2025, that limit rises to $75 million under the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Miss that window and you lose eligibility. The holding period clock starts fresh Your years operating as an LLC do not count. The clock starts on the day you convert. Hold the new C-Corp stock for 5 years and you get 100% exclusion. Under the new OBBBA rules, 3 years gets you 50% and 4 years gets you 75%. The pre-conversion gain still gets taxed Any value built up inside the LLC before conversion does not qualify for QSBS. That gain gets taxed normally when you sell. But here's the strategic play: your basis in the new C-Corp stock equals the LLC's fair market value at conversion. QSBS lets you exclude 10x that basis. Example: Your LLC is worth $8M at conversion. You own 50%, so your basis is $4M. That gives you up to $40M in future gains you could exclude tax-free. The higher your valuation at conversion, the bigger your future exclusion cap. Before you ever talk to a broker/advisor, you get to get you business exit ready. Get my 5-Part email course on QSBS delivered to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/g_x6tHwh

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Smart Capital for Growing Businesses Most business owners don’t fail because they lack opportunity—they fail because they lack access to capital at the right time. And too often, when they finally apply, the bank says: “Come back in six months.” https://lnkd.in/guerT3dv

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The $15M-$50M IPO for American small businesses. Preserving the Heartbeat and base of our economy. IPO's in the $15M-$50M range can help preserve Small Businesses- the Heartbeat of America's Economy. An excerpt from our new podcast - Talking Capital Markets with Michael J. Blankenship and Brian Jue- dropping soon!

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Capital is straightforward to describe but complex to deploy effectively. Execution demands discipline, insight, and relentless focus beyond the initial funding. How do you bridge the gap between capital and execution in your venture? #VentureCapital #VentureCapitalAsAService

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In this short clip from Episode 65 of the Avant-Garde Entrepreneur podcast, Scott Nichols, MBA, CMRW, CERM, shares valuable insights on crafting the perfect pitch deck that investors will love. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gu3jpi6t #socialentrepreneurs #avantgarde #advocate #unitednations #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #worldtraveller #businessowner #servingpeople #podcast #valuesinbusiness #valuesinlife #avantgardepodcast

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Peter Thiel’s big bet on solar-powered cow collars Why did Founders Fund invest $220 million in cattle management startup Halter? Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_H_AvGB

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📰 #Experts Warn #Boomer Entrepreneurs to Prepare for Surging Business Sales Experts are issuing a warning to Boomer #Entrepreneurs to Prepare Early as a Surge in #Business Sales is expected. The volume of baby boomer-owned businesses coming to market is creating an urgent need for owners to plan their exit strategies now. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/dfM-eFks What are the biggest mistakes business owners make when they wait too long to start planning their exit? #nextclicknews #BoomerEntrepreneurs #businesssales #exitstrategy #smallbusinesslife #successionplanning

Is your business truly profitable? 💰 Many entrepreneurs overlook key financial steps. Focus on: - Clear cash flow - Realistic budgets - Smart pricing These aren't just numbers; they're your business's lifeline. Need help getting clarity? #BusinessFinance #Entrepreneurship #Profitability #Discover #Inspire #Transform

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The SBA just changed the game for small business funding—and most entrepreneurs don't even know it yet. While everyone's talking about AI and crypto, the real story is happening behind the scenes. The Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program just got its biggest overhaul in decades. Starting February 2, 2026, accessing private capital just became dramatically easier. Here's what just changed: ✅ Red tape eliminated across the board No more bureaucratic nightmares that kept investors away ✅ Critical industries prioritized Manufacturing, food production, energy, and advanced tech get fast-tracked access ✅ Record-breaking momentum $53 billion in combined private capital and SBA leverage achieved in FY2025 alone ✅ Streamlined partnerships Public-private collaborations now move at startup speed, not government pace The biggest winners? Emerging growth companies and startups that were previously locked out of institutional capital. This isn't just policy reform—it's a fundamental shift in how America funds innovation. While your competitors are still figuring out traditional funding routes, smart entrepreneurs are already positioning themselves for this new landscape. The question isn't whether this will impact your industry. The question is: Will you be ready when it does? What funding challenges is your business facing right now?

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It's true! Most entrepreneurs don’t just need “a VA” - they need the right level of support to maximize productivity. I had a great conversation with Jennifer Dawn on her Happy Productive Podcast about what strategic support really looks like, why oversight matters, and how the wrong hire can quietly cost you momentum. Delegation isn’t just about getting tasks off your plate; it’s about protecting your time, your reputation, and your growth.

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𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 Owners often anchor on a single valuation expectation, but different buyers assess value through different lenses. Strategic buyers may prioritize synergies, while financial buyers focus on cash flow and risk. These differences can lead to a wide range of offers for the same business. Understanding how buyer type influences valuation helps owners position the business more effectively. Tailoring information and expectations to the audience creates more productive negotiations. Recognizing these differences early prevents confusion and missed opportunities. #WittAndGoldsworthy #BusinessLaw #LawFirm #DealRealityCheck Disclaimer: General information only—not legal advice.

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We are excited to partner with Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. to announce the launch of the Fall 2025 Community Building Bridge Program. Howard Hughes is the country’s premier developer of large-scale master planned communities with a proven track record of developing the most sought-after places to live. The Bridge Program will provide students with the opportunity to explore master planned development, investments, financing, and leasing with Howard Hughes professionals. Through this live, multi-week program, students will attend interactive speaker sessions with firm leaders, join sector specific technical training, and an in-person visit, providing participants with exposure to early career opportunities at Howard Hughes. Click here to apply: https://lnkd.in/gwrH2QeP Special thanks to Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. and Jacob Cliff for their partnership in building this program. #ProjectDestined #HowardHughes #EarlyCareerOpportunities #FutureLeaders #CRE #PDCommunity

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Entrepreneurs and small business owners frequently require assistance with the following: • Developing business ideas • Monetizing concepts • Increasing revenue and job creation • Securing capital Conducting a search for “small business assistance” online can yield an overwhelming number of options, making it challenging to identify the most appropriate resources. The Nussbaum Center streamlines this process by providing technical assistance and targeted referrals for business development, ensuring that small business owners receive timely, relevant support tailored to their current needs. #businessisbuilthere #greensborostartshere

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WBENC is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the United States. Their 2026 survey put two numbers on the table that are worth sitting with. 71.6% of business owners are still deeply embedded in daily operations. 50.6% say scalability is their top strategic priority. The gap between those two numbers is where growth dies. You cannot scale a business that still needs you to run it. Not because the ambition isn't there. Because the infrastructure isn't. Most founders built their business by being the person who figured things out. That worked. It got them here. But that same pattern, carried forward, becomes the ceiling. No documented process. No operating cadence. No decision-making structure that functions when you're not in the room. So revenue grows, complexity grows, and the owner's workload grows right alongside it. The business gets bigger but it doesn't get easier. Scalability isn't a goal you reach by pushing harder. It's something you build deliberately, with systems, roles, and operating rhythms designed to carry execution forward without you at the center of everything. The 71% aren't stuck because they lack vision. They're stuck because nobody helped them build the foundation to support it. That's the work. 💬 What's the one decision you make every day that you wish someone else could own? ♻️ Repost if this describes someone in your network. ➕ Follow Sarah Wilson for more on building operations that scale.

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🏝️ Hilton Head Leaders Eye Moratorium on New Short-Term Rentals to Preserve Island Character A moratorium may soon be imposed on new short-term rentals, timeshares, and subdivisions in Hilton Head as leaders seek to protect the island’s character. The proposed pause would allow officials to review and update zoning, land management, and growth regulations by fiscal year 2028—balancing preservation with the region’s tourism economy. Question: Will pausing new developments help sustain community feel or create housing shortages in the meantime? 👉 Read more on Vacation Rental Insider: https://lnkd.in/gNBMpwnr #HiltonHead #ShortTermRentals #IslandPreservation #Moratorium #VacationRentalRegulations #CommunityCharacter #TourismVsGrowth #ZoningPolicy #RealEstateLaw #SustainableDevelopment

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𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔.𝐒 ❓ It’s where real buyers, investors, and partnerships happen. The U.S. is the largest tech market on the planet. Here’s what makes it worth it: ➝ Opens doors to distributors and investors ➝ Direct access to high-value tech buyers ➝ Live insights you can’t get online ➝ Builds instant brand credibility ➝ Massive post-event visibility Top Shows to Target: → TechCrunch Disrupt: Startups & media → CES (Las Vegas): Consumer tech & AI → Gartner IT Symposium: Enterprise IT → RSA (San Francisco): Cybersecurity → SXSW (Austin): Creative tech → AWS re:Invent: Cloud & data Bottom line: If you want to go global, start in the U.S.

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