⚡ 4 Bourbons for Thanksgiving. None From the Usual Suspects.

The 5 Mistakes Growing Companies Make
Guest Contributor: Nick Eusepi

Growing companies break in predictable ways. After enough of them, you stop being surprised.

Here are the five I see most.

None of these are a character flaw. It’s what growth does to a company built for a smaller version of itself.

Next month: You Want to Sell Someday. Where Do You Even Start?

Nick Eusepi, CPA, is the founder of Maroli, where he helps owners of privately held companies understand what is holding their business back and what to do about it. He started in public accounting, spent nearly a decade as CFO of Commonwealth LNG, co-founded a private equity firm, and has served multiple non-profit board roles.

If you’d like to talk through your business, [email protected] is the best way to reach him.

4 Bourbons for Thanksgiving. None From the Usual Suspects.

Thanksgiving runs about eight hours. One bottle doesn’t cover it. Here are four worth knowing. Four states, $40 to $85, and none of them the bottle everyone else is bringing.

The Welcome Pour
Woodinville Straight Bourbon | Washington | 90 Proof | About $45

Made with grain from a single family farm in Quincy, Washington, with guidance from the late Dave Pickerell, former master distiller at Maker’s Mark. Caramel, vanilla, and a little rye spice. Approachable enough that the brother-in-law who “doesn’t really do whiskey” might ask for a second pour.

Open this one when the first car pulls up.

The Dinner Bottle
Wilderness Trail Small Batch Wheated Bottled in Bond | Kentucky | 100 Proof | About $50 to $60

Made using a sweet-mash process by a distillery founded by two fermentation experts. Caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and a touch of fruit. A softer wheated bourbon that won’t overpower the turkey and stuffing.

Try a small pour alongside dinner. Wine doesn’t have to get all the attention.

The After-Dinner Pour
Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon | Texas | 116 Proof | About $60

Grain-to-glass bourbon from Austin, Texas, with enough muscle to handle dessert. Dark fruit, toasted oak, and warm baking spice make it a natural match for pecan pie.

This is the bottle that comes out when the plates are cleared and the game is on. Add a few drops of water if the proof hits harder than expected.

The One You Don’t Share
Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon, Bottled in Bond | Colorado | 100 Proof | About $85

Grain-to-glass from Denver, made with four Colorado-grown grains and aged at least four years under the bottled-in-bond rules. Honey, baking spice, and toasted bread with a long, dry finish. The bottle whiskey nerds talk about and almost nobody at your table has tried.

Save this one for the porch after the last guest leaves. You’ve earned it.

The Mettle Take
Four bottles, four states, one long day. You don’t need all four. Just make sure the one you bring is worth pouring.

Not the bottle they expect. The one they remember.

Stop Asking “Does That Make Sense?”

You finish explaining something and tack it on without thinking. “Does that make sense?”

You mean well. But it can sound like you're looking for reassurance that you explained it correctly, or questioning whether they understood. Neither is the impression you want to leave.

Try a better question.

“What questions do you have?” Invites a conversation instead of a yes-or-no answer.

“Where should I go deeper?” Shows you know your material and you're willing to explain more.

Same intent. Completely different room.

The Mettle Take
Don't ask for reassurance when you can invite engagement.

Big shift, small signal.