Business Resilience Society
Got a Plan "B" for Your Business?
Join a community built to help small-business owners prepare for disruption and outlast the odds.
Almost half of all small businesses fail within five years — not because they lack talent, but because they never learned how to prepare for disruption.
Our Plan "B" is Resilience
Become an Associate Member
and get the conversations, community, and tools to protect what you’ve built. Learn to build resilience that lasts a lifetime.
That’s why owners Mike Stoll & Sherrie Szekalski built the
Business Resilience Society, a community of owners who are turning uncertainty into advantage and building companies that can outlast any storm.
(Based on insights from decades of small business success.)
Built by business owners, for business owners.
Join hundreds of founders building businesses
that last ... no matter what comes next.
One-time $25 processing fee applies
For Small Business
Founders and Owners
What You’ll Get as an Associate Member:
- Monthly Resilience Workshop Live on Zoom
- Access to our private Discussion Hub for owners
- Weekly “Outlast the Odds” tidbits and case stories
- A growing community of founders sharing what works
Our Vision & Mission
To reduce small-business failure rates by helping owners build resilience, share knowledge, and grow stronger together.
Every member contributes to a movement of practical, peer-driven support that strengthens entire communities.
Built by business owners, for business owners.
1. Learn the 7 Steps to
Resilience™
2. Create Your
Business Longevity Plan
3. Interact with Your Community of Peers
Our Approach ...
A Clear Path to Longevity
At the Business Resilience Society, we don’t just tell you to be resilient; we guide you through it with proven frameworks, attainable milestones, resources to support you, and community support specifically designed for small business founders and owners to share experiences.
How We Help You Build Resilience
🔹 Proven Frameworks
Our 7-Step Road to Resilience™ system is a structured approach that helps you anticipate disruption, protect your business, and plan for growth.
🔹 Attainable Milestones
Work toward completing your Business Longevity Plan (BLP), broken into achievable steps that build on one another. Every milestone you reach strengthens your ability to adapt, compete, and grow your business — no matter what comes next.
🔹 Resources That Work
Access checklists, templates, and guides that turn theory into action; practical tools you can use immediately to strengthen operations.
🔹 Community Connection
Join a private network of like-minded founders to network with, support, challenge, and share insights to help you stay strong.
The Four Core Pillars of Resilience
- Mindset — Learn to see change as an opportunity, not a threat.
- Habits — Build daily practices that keep your business adaptable and steady.
- Emotional Strength — Lead calmly under pressure and make better decisions when it matters most.
- Connection — Surround yourself with peers who share knowledge, perspective, and accountability.
One-time $25 processing fee applies
Build Resilience into Your Business
to Last Beyond a Lifetime
1. Learn the 7 Steps to Resilience™
Start by discovering what resilient businesses do differently.
Through short, practical lessons, you’ll learn how to identify vulnerabilities, protect what matters most, and position your business to thrive through change.
We’ll guide you through the seven proven steps — from clarity and risk awareness to communication and testing — so you can assess your business's current standing and identify areas for focus.
2. Create Your Business Longevity Plan
This is our version of a streamlined Business Continuity Plan, designed for growing small businesses.
You’ll set attainable milestones to strengthen operations, create backup systems, and ensure that your people, processes, and finances can adapt quickly when disruption strikes.
By the end, you’ll have a personalized
Business Longevity Plan, a living roadmap for staying in business longer, no matter what comes your way.
3. Interact with Your Community of Peers
Join a community of founders and owners who get it.
Inside the
Business Resilience Society, you’ll exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from others walking the same path.
Whether it’s through live virtual meetings, discussion hubs, or our searchable library of podcasts and resources, you’ll find support, collaboration, and accountability — the essential ingredients for lasting success.
One-time $25 processing fee applies
How to Stay in Business for 1.400 Years
True Stories of Resilient Businesses
Our 7 Steps to Resilience™ framework was inspired by companies that have stood the test of time — surviving disruptions, adapting to change, and thriving for decades (or even centuries).
As a member, you’ll explore case studies like
Kongo Gumi, King Arthur Baking Company, Ben’s Chili Bowl, and Zingerman’s Deli — learning how they turned adversity into longevity and built businesses that truly lasted.
Kongo Gumi
(Osaka, Japan – Est. 578 AD)
The world’s oldest continuously operating company, Kongo Gumi, has survived more than 1,400 years of change — from samurai wars to economic recessions. Its secret? Adapting its structure, services, and leadership while never abandoning its core mission: building with integrity and quality. A timeless lesson in longevity through evolution.
King Arthur Baking Co.
(Vermont, USA – Est. 1790)
America’s oldest flour company, a start-up just after the American Revolution, stayed relevant for over two centuries by constantly modernizing — from mail-order catalogs to e-commerce — while staying true to its values of community, education, and quality. King Arthur shows how strong culture and continuous innovation create enduring resilience.
Ben’s Chili Bowl
(Washington, D.C. – Est. 1958)
A neighborhood landmark that has outlasted riots, recessions, and rapid change, Ben’s Chili Bowl stayed open by standing for something bigger than food — community, family, and perseverance.
Their ability to adapt while staying authentic shows how purpose can power resilience for generations.
Zingerman’s Deli
(Ann Arbor, MI – Est. 1982)
Zingerman’s turned a single deli into a community of businesses by empowering employees, sharing ownership, and building systems rooted in shared values. Their story proves that resilience isn’t just surviving crises — it’s building a culture that adapts and thrives together.
Your Business Can Last Beyond a Lifetime
Every one of these businesses faced moments that could have ended their journey — but instead, they chose to adapt, rebuild, and emerge stronger. Their legacy wasn’t an accident; it was the result of resilience made real. The same path is open to you. By following the 7 Steps to Resilience™, creating your own Business Longevity Plan, and connecting with others who share your commitment to longevity, you can build a business that not only survives disruption but stands as a story worth telling for generations to come.
Join the Business Resilience Society — and make your business last longer than a lifetime.
One-time $25 processing fee applies
LinkedIn Recommended
Scott Paul, MBA,
Financial Center Manager
ReadySmartGo provides common-sense guidance and support for any disruption in today’s world. I highly recommend Mike as someone to connect with as a partner to grow you and your business.
Helena M Hall, MBA, aPHR, QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Founder, ABC & Me, Bookkeeping
I am pleased to recommend Mike Stoll for his expertise in business continuity and disaster preparedness. Any business seeking to enhance its resilience would benefit greatly from Mike’s skills, knowledge and dedication.
Chad Smith, Founder
Five Lions Digital Marketing
Mike is a VERY knowledgeable resource for business resilience! I didn't realize how important deep consideration for disruption planning was before my relationship with ReadySmartGo
Who we are
We are a professional association dedicated to helping every member build a resilient business that grows, endures, and lasts beyond a lifetime.
What we do
We provide knowledge, community, and tools to anticipate disruption, strengthen operations, and lead with clarity.
