Latest Writing

Thoughtful analysis on growth, strategy, and leadership

March 29, 2026

75% of Business Owners Have Made This Hiring Mistake and the Cost Goes Beyond Money

75% of business owners have hired the wrong person. The real cost goes far beyond the $17,000 average.

March 28, 2026

The Pricing Trap: Why Charging Less Is Quietly Costing Businesses More

A 1% shift in price can swing operating profits by 8%. Most business owners are leaving it on the table.

April 12, 2026

Most Business Owners Reinvest Profit Without a Plan and That Is Costing Them Growth

Most businesses in the growth stage aren't strategic with their profit. They're simply reacting to it.

April 5, 2026

The Decisions That Should Not Require You and the Framework to Find Them

Executives spend nearly 40% of their time making decisions. Most believe the majority of that time is poorly spent.

Behind Forging Growth

I’m Lane Wilber, a business analyst focused on how small businesses grow in the real world. Forging Growth is my platform for aggregating and analyzing ideas from operators and research, then turning them into clear, practical insights that help owners build stronger, more resilient companies.