Introducing a new book by Andy Bassett centered on how manufacturing owners can maximize the value of their business by minimizing risk.

OMAHA, Neb. (June 23, 2025) - When you own a manufacturing business, it's more than just a job. It's your livelihood, your family's future, your retirement. The more you grow, the more people become dependent on your success. And if you're not careful, it could be gone in an instant. Andy Bassett, author of "My Business, My Life, My Future: How Business Owners Can Maximize Value By Minimizing Risk," is here to change that.

In his new book, set to release June 23, 2025, the Ellerbrock-Norris CEO dives into business ownership through the lens of risk management and its impact on your business' valuation.

Owning a local business in the trades is becoming more and more daunting. Industry consolidation is on the rise. The economy is throwing nothing but curveballs. The workforce is aging and being backfilled with inexperience. At the end of the day, every business owner needs to ask themself: What is my business worth today, and what would it be worth if something were to happen to me?

Bassett covers the 10 impact areas of risk with real-life examples of how, when not managed properly, each can be devastating to a business, the owner's personal life, and their future retirement aspirations.

"This book is for the business owner who's still on the jobsite, still in the trenches and still critical to their company's success," Bassett said. "It's a strategic playbook for building a safer, more resilient, more valuable business—whether you're exiting in three years or thirty."

Bassett highlights a broader risk strategy that's not common in trades businesses today. While businesses are sold products from insurance salespeople, those products often look past the core issues.

"Insurance doesn't prevent a fire--it only pays for the damages," Bassett said. "When you're looking at risk management, you must go beyond products and build a true strategy. This book covers how to go about that process, and how to do so in a way that sets you up for success outside of the business, as well."

Bassett knows the industry firsthand. Under his leadership, Ellerbrock-Norris has become a nationally recognized risk advisory firm, working with local business owners in the trades across the United States. The company uses a holistic risk management process to assess each impact area of risk, build a plan to manage those risks, then measure success along the way.

Readers can download a free companion workbook alongside the book. It offers chapter-by-chapter assessments to help business owners evaluate their current risk exposure and create a roadmap to stronger operations and higher valuation.

"Whether a business is struggling with attracting or retaining talent, safety practices, perpetuation planning, rising insurance costs or any other risks areas, this book will help you," Bassett said. "Local businesses are the backbone of this country, and far too many are facing major risks they don't even know about."

"My Business, My Life, My Future" is available for purchase June 23, 2025. The book and the corresponding free workbook are available at www.ellerbrock-norris.com/book.

About Ellerbrock-Norris

Ellerbrock-Norris is a holistic risk management firm headquartered in Nebraska. Founded in 1906, Ellerbrock-Norris has over 60 employees focused on helping clients protect their purpose - their business and the people in it, their families and life outside of work, and their future retirement goals. The company provides holistic risk management by assessing risk through various impact areas and creating a strategic, long-term plan to manage those risks. To learn more about Ellerbrock-Norris, visit www.ellerbrock-norris.com or email info@ellerbrock-norris.com.

Media Inquiries

Please direct media inquiries to Cameron Carlow, Chief Marketing Officer, at ccarlow@ellerbrock-norris.com or 402-515-3062.