GrowthWays 2023: We Take the Stress Out of Growing Your Business!

In the dynamic world of the natural products industry, where sustainability, health-conscious choices, and environmental responsibility are at the forefront, one individual has emerged as a guiding light for investors, management teams, and stakeholders seeking to navigate this ever-evolving landscape. Michael Bush, the Managing Partner of GrowthWays, is a seasoned expert in providing strategic advisory services that hold the power to reshape the destiny of companies within the natural products sector. With a profound commitment to optimizing enterprise value while embracing sustainability, Bush's approach is a testament to his vision for a more conscious and prosperous future for the industry. In this Delivery Rank’s article, we delve into the strategic insights and profound wisdom of Michael Bush, exploring how his leadership at GrowthWays is driving transformative change within the natural products domain.

Can you share an example of a particularly challenging situation in the natural products industry where GrowthWays' strategic advisory services played a crucial role in optimizing a company's enterprise value?

One of the most shared challenges faced by my clients is the development of realistic go to market programs that support the ultimate goal of the business – which is typically the sale of the company to a strategic buyer or private equity firm. Many times, companies will have sales, marketing and product development plans that may not fit the needs of a potential acquirer and years of work are spent developing a business that does not check all of the high value, needs based boxes for potential acquirers. I work with my clients to firmly establish that end goal and then work backwards to build plans to achieve the goal. By helping develop and implement systems that align priorities and decision-making processes with goals, I have had clients significantly improve exit valuations.

The natural products industry is dynamic and diverse. How does GrowthWays tailor its strategic advice to meet the specific needs and goals of different companies within this sector?

I have written a book that will be published early next year, and it focuses specifically on this topic. The natural products industry is unique in that the companies that participate in it, in particular B2B oriented suppliers, are expected (as they should be) to work with integrity, transparency and with greater good kept in mind at all times. There is a universe of PE, VC and strategic buyers for businesses in the space and the parameters by which they value a business vary but there are core metrics on which value is typically defined. Profitability, strength of IP, customer stability and lack of concentration are all keys in building value. GrowthWays works with our clients to build systems that focus on value maximization for the immediate and long term. So – that value is created to generate exit value but also to provide long term value to the eventual buyer of the business.

Could you provide insights into how GrowthWays assesses and identifies potential growth opportunities and operational improvements within companies in the natural products sector?

By first identifying the end goal of the business, its investors, and other stakeholders it is actually quite simple to identify growth opportunities as well as the drivers of those opportunities. By focusing decision making on value generation, the path to taking advantage of growth opportunities becomes crystal clear. Along the way there are often opportunities to improve operational efficiency as those are typically driven by customer demand and remaining dedicated to providing the absolute best services and/or products available.

Collaboration often plays a vital role in business success. How does GrowthWays foster collaboration between investors, management teams, and other stakeholders to drive value enhancement?

GrowthWays is often brought into projects by investors as they have a clear objective – maximizing returns on their investments. And the best way to do that is through a seamless partnership between investors and the company’s management team. Adding partnerships with customers and suppliers to the mix ensures that the company is remaining focused on positive growth and profitability. By ensuring all parties are on the same page creates a business that is incredibly valuable not only from an economic standpoint but also from a long term partnership and market leader perspective as it relates to customers and suppliers.

Looking forward, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges for companies in the natural products industry, and how is GrowthWays prepared to guide its clients in navigating them?

The natural products industry is growing very rapidly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future and the opportunities to provide consumers with products that support and enhance a healthy lifestyle are everywhere. But providing the best, most effective products for consumers is not always the primary focus of those who see the industry as an opportunity for quick money. To ensure that consumers are kept at top-of-mind companies in the space must ensure that their values are aligned with their consumers and that quality and safety are their north star. GrowthWays stands ready to help companies in the space to define their strategy and put systems in place that ensure they remain on track to achieve (and exceed) their goals and the goals of all stakeholders.

If you would like to find out more about GrowthWays, visit https://www.growthways.com/