In early 2023, I reached out to Dave Stephens to inquire about business consulting services and a business valuation for my small business. Dave was immediately responsive and agreed to meet regarding my business needs. Although a business valuation was my initial reason for contact, I committed to a 12-week business consulting agreement with Dave. 

Over the 12-week period, Dave guided me through the Value Builder program to better understand my business value, address my weak areas, and leverage my business strengths. Additionally, I was able to create a long-term plan for my “exit strategy” with Dave’s guidance and input. 

I would highly recommend Dave Stephens to anyone who is looking for guidance as a business owner. His experience and knowledge have vastly changed the way I look at my business and my goals for the future. 

I’d like to present this letter of recommendation along with my personal and professional experiences with David over the past 15 years. We’ve collaborated on several major accomplishments throughout the years, including the daunting tasks of securing income for myself post-retirement, exploring different tax-incentive plans through captive insurance, and most notably, a deferred compensation plan for our key executives that ensures the future growth of our companies.

David has been a sounding board for major decisions, which included new legal counsel, tax accountants, and a directional shift in our business markets from a small to a large business. He’s honest, punctual, and will work in a manner that makes it hard to distinguish him from your key executives.

If he doesn’t have the answer, he will get it with his access to a large network of professionals in the Hampton Roads area.

Buck and Dave were referred to us at a time when we were looking for business and retirement advice.

They did an extensive evaluation of our business and located multiple problems that were affecting its worth. They made recommendations based on their expertise and experience of what we needed to do to improve the company both financially and to run more efficiently.

They are exceptional people, hardworking and very knowledgeable about businesses and how they should be managed for success. They are both of good moral character—honest, loyal, trustworthy, and thoughtful.

In closing, Dave and Buck are men of integrity. They will work hard for what is best for their clients. They don’t drag their feet on any task that they are given, whether it’s doing what they have been hired to do or following up with outside service providers. One of the greatest benefits was that they held us accountable for doing what we said we were going to do.