About Mike

I spent a lot of time in my dad's hockey shop growing up. After school, weekends, whenever I could. Sharpening skates, ringing up sales, making sure the sticks were spaced just right. I learned more about running a business watching my dad than most people learn in school.

I also watched that business struggle. Not because my dad wasn't good at what he did, but because the operational side of running a small business is overwhelming. He didn't have someone to help with the systems, the organization, the tech stuff that eats up your time when you're trying to serve customers.

Business Buddy exists because I think about that a lot. I often think, “I wish he had a Business Buddy back then.”

I spent most of my professional career in financial technology, starting in 2007. I was at oneZero Financial Systems for over a decade, joining when the company had about 10 employees and staying through the growth to 200 people worldwide. I experienced every milestone, every growing pain, every system that broke and needed rebuilding.

I built systems, managed teams, and learned how to make complex technology work reliably. More importantly, I learned how to explain it to people who don't speak tech.

When I started Business Buddy in January 2025, I brought that operational mindset to the small business world. The tools are different, but the principles are the same: find what's broken, build something that works, make sure the people using it are comfortable.

I use modern tools, including AI-powered development platforms, to deliver work faster and cheaper than traditional agencies. A website that used to take six weeks can be ready in five days. A CRM setup that used to need a dedicated consultant for months can be running in two to four weeks.

This isn't about cutting corners. It's about using better tools to get better results. My AI development lab, 22u.ai, is where I build and test the tech behind this work.

A lot of what I do doesn't start with a project. It starts with a phone call. Someone tells me what's going on with their business. I ask questions. We figure out together what the real problem is. And then I either fix it, recommend a solution, or connect them with someone who can.

I don't charge for that initial conversation. And honestly, even as a client, if you call me with a quick question, I'm not going to nickel-and-dime you. Building a relationship matters more to me than billing every 15-minute phone call.

Want to know more about what I actually do? See what I offer.