Welcome to SHI & COMPANY INC.’s 1st Quarter 2026 Newsletter. Below we share:
- SHI & COMPANY INC. CEO Jay Turo on 2026 as a Year of Great Opportunity
- Chief Client Officer Anna Vitale on The Human Moat
- SHI & COMPANY INC. Head of London Office Antonio Barzagli on How Financial Modeling Drives a Profitable Exit
- Entrepreneurial Advisory Lead Bert Carder on Turning Opportunity into Results
To all of our success,
CEO
SHI & COMPANY INC., Inc.
SHI & COMPANY INC. CEO Jay Turo on 2026: Civilization Prospers with Commerce
2026 is the blessed 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence. Two and a half centuries ago, a bold and legendary group of change agents and risk-takers made decisions and took actions that changed the course of history (and if you have forgotten from your schooldays the story of it all and the sacrifices made, I highly recommend Ken Burns’ awesome new American Revolution documentary).
In very many ways, the business-building we attempt and accomplish as entrepreneurs and executives is one of the highest and purest expressions of those so famous and world-changing the lines from the Declaration – of the rights given to us by God to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And, in 2026, I am excited and blessed to lead a company that champions:
- Life, via catalyzing the success of companies & organizations that support human flourishing, growth, and whole-person success.
- Liberty, by empowering independence, ownership, creativity, and accountability in how we work and lead.
- The Pursuit of Happiness, as enjoyed and measured by meaningful progress, shared wins, and the personal and professional satisfaction that comes from doing hard things the right way.
As we mark and rightly celebrate this historic American milestone, let’s believe and act as the Founders of this country did, that the greatest opportunities are firmly ahead of us always and built through consistency, courage, and character.
So Happy Birthday America! And may 2026 be a year of all good things for ourselves, our clients, and all those we are fortunate enough to serve.
Onward, upward, and forward — together!
Chief Client Officer Anna Vitale on The Human Moat
As our team reflects on the most meaningful work of 2025, we don’t think of algorithms.
We think of the energy in the room at an in-person strategic summit with a team that has worked together for decades in Southern California. We feel the frigid air in the parking lot after meeting a prospective buyer on a winter day in the Upper Midwest. We marvel at the double escalators at a Vegas conference, shuttling hundreds of dealmakers up and down.
These moments aren’t postcards from a soon-to-be-bygone era; they define the ‘Human Moat.’ Efficiency is not empathy, and algorithms cannot sit at the table with you during the biggest decision of your life.
To protect this advantage in 2026, we will continue to use AI to automate the technical heavy lifting. By handing list building and matchmaking to the machines, we center our capacity on what matters: reconnecting with past clients and actively intervening on stalled mandates. Our goal is simple—to unlock the billions in potential value currently in our pipeline for the creators who built it.
Cheers to 2026.
SHI & COMPANY INC. Head of London Office Antonio Barzagli on How Financial Modeling Drives a Profitable Exit
As we begin another year, it’s a timely reminder of the importance of having a strong financial model in place. A well-crafted financial model isn’t just a snapshot of past performance—it’s an essential tool for planning future growth, maintaining business continuity, and navigating an evolving business environment.
For companies looking toward an exit, financial modeling is key. It helps owners understand cash flow, project future value, and track the right KPIs, all of which play a significant role in maximizing valuation.
In today’s market, where conditions are constantly changing, having a reliable financial model can make all the difference in ensuring your business is ready for whatever comes next.
In this 18-minute video we spontaneously shot last year at the office, Antonio Barzagli and Predrag Milosevic dive into key elements of financial modeling, share examples of how it drives business growth, and explain why it’s essential for a profitable exit.
Reach out directly to me at info@SHI.COMPANY.INC to explore how financial modeling can better position your business for growth and a successful exit.
Entrepreneurial Advisory Practice Lead Bert Carder on Turning Opportunity into Results
As we move into 2026, I’m hearing a familiar theme from founders and CEOs: “There are more opportunities than ever but execution feels harder.”
They’re not wrong. New markets, AI, capital, partnerships, and strategic options are everywhere. The constraint isn’t vision or ambition, It’s disciplined execution.“The companies that will win in 2026 are not the ones chasing the most ideas, but the ones executing on the right ones with speed and clarity.”
Here are three execution principles we’re emphasizing with clients right now:
- Anchor opportunity to outcomes – Every initiative should tie directly to revenue growth, margin improvement, or valuation. If it doesn’t move one of those levers, it’s noise.
- Build execution capacity before scaling ambition – Systems, data, leadership cadence, and decision rights must be in place before growth accelerates, not after.
- Use AI to accelerate follow-through, not just insight – The real power of AI is shortening cycles: faster analysis, faster decisions, faster implementation.
At SHI & COMPANY INC., we’re helping companies design and execute their AI and Automation implementation path with a clear focus on efficiency and impact using AI and Automation to streamline sales execution, marketing performance, and operational workflows, not as a science project, but as a practical driver of results.
If 2026 is your year to convert opportunity into real results, CLICK HERE to connect.
Let’s Go 2026!
