Hypothetical Case Study: Total Tool Supply, Inc.
Overview
Total Tool Supply, Inc., a family-run industrial supply company based in the Midwest, had operated successfully for more than two decades, serving construction firms, municipalities, and manufacturing plants. By 2020, the business had grown to 35 employees and was generating solid revenue—but its systems were heavily manual, its succession plan was vague, and it had no formal protections in place for cybersecurity, legal risk, or business interruption.
The Problem
A ransomware attack in late 2019 encrypted key files, disrupted billing operations, and compromised customer trust. Simultaneously, the founder faced an unexpected medical emergency. Without clearly delegated authority or backup access to financial accounts, the company’s daily operations ground to a halt. Employee morale dropped. Vendors began demanding payment. A once-stable company teetered.
The Turning Point
The founder’s daughter, a military veteran with experience in logistics, stepped in. Recalling her training and a recent small business workshop, she initiated a two-part solution:
- Formation of a B.A.I.L. Team:
- Banker: Restructured the company’s credit to improve cash flow and liquidity.
- Accountant: Cleaned up the books and created financial dashboards.
- Insurance Agent: Provided business interruption, cyber liability, and key person coverage.
- Lawyer: Drafted a power of attorney, updated contracts, and assisted with compliance.
- Creation of a Business Continuity Plan (BCP):
- Defined essential roles and responsibilities.
- Established secure data backups and offline redundancies.
- Created a communications chain for employees, vendors, and customers.
- Integrated cybersecurity protocols (MFA, endpoint protection, password managers).
- Developed a phased recovery timeline.
The Outcome
When COVID-19 hit just months later, Total Tool Supply not only stayed open—it adapted quickly:
- Payroll continued uninterrupted, thanks to banking reserves.
- Insurance covered lost revenue and helped recover ransomware losses.
- Staff worked remotely using cloud-based systems implemented through the BCP.
- Clear legal governance prevented decision-making confusion.
By mid-2021, the company was hiring again. Vendor relationships had strengthened. Employee turnover dropped. The founder eventually returned, now fully confident in the team and the plan. The crisis had become a catalyst for modernization and resilience.
Call to Action
Don’t wait for a crisis to show you where the cracks are. Whether your company has 5 or 50 employees, now is the time to prepare.
Start with a B.A.I.L. Team. Build a Business Continuity Plan. Secure your systems. Protect your people.
At My Bridge Builder, LLC, we specialize in helping veteran-owned and small-to-medium-sized businesses like yours safeguard their future—before disaster strikes.
Let us help you build your bridge to resilience. Contact us today.