RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a great deal of risk. Careful consideration should be made of the following factors as well as other information included in this prospectus before deciding to purchase our securities. There are many risks that affect our business and results of operations, some of which are beyond our control. Our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed by any of these risks. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks that we do not yet know of or that we currently think are immaterial may also affect our business and results of operations.

Risks related to our industry and economic and market conditions

Our industry is cyclical and highly sensitive to macroeconomic conditions. Negative economic events including, but not limited to, recessions, lower consumer confidence, high interest rates, inflation, and lower new construction home starts may materially and adversely affect the outlook for our business, liquidity and results of operations.

The construction industry is highly sensitive to national and regional macroeconomic conditions.

The current market story for 2024 is one of “deferral”, with home improvement projects and new constructions being delayed due to higher interest rates. This pent-up demand is likely to lead to a more volatile upswing when growth resumes in 2025 and beyond. According to Zonda Home (“Zonda”), building products spending overall will grow +2.6% in 2025, with repair/remodel spend set to grow +7% in 2025. Cash-out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are expected to increase ~25% and remodel growth is expected to increase 20%+ in 2025, based on historical precedents in the year following rate-hike driven deferrals.

In addition to commercial and residential market indicators, we also depend to a significant extent upon the levels of home repair and remodeling and new construction spending, affected by such factors as interest rates, inflation, consumer confidence, unemployment and the availability of consumer credit.

Our performance is also dependent upon consumers having the ability to finance home repair and remodeling projects and/or the purchase of new homes. The ability of consumers to finance these purchases is affected by such factors as new and existing home prices, homeowners’ equity values, interest rates and home foreclosures, which in turn could result in a tightening of lending standards by financial institutions and reduce the ability of some consumers to finance home purchases or repair and remodeling expenditures. Despite the recent abatement of these negative market factors, any recurrence or worsening of these items may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

Historically, any uncertainty about current economic conditions has had a negative effect on our business, and will continue to pose a risk to our business as our customers may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values, which could have a material negative effect on the demand for our products. Other factors that could influence demand include fuel and other energy costs, conditions in the nonresidential real estate markets, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, tariffs, and other macroeconomic factors. From time to time, our industry has also been adversely affected in various parts of the country by declines in nonresidential construction starts, including but not limited to, high vacancy rates, changes in tax laws affecting the real estate industry, high interest rates and the unavailability of financing. Sales of our products may be adversely affected by continued weakness in demand for our products within particular customer groups, or a continued decline in the general construction industry or particular geographic regions. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and on our financial condition and operating results.

We cannot predict the timing or severity of any future economic or industry downturns or adverse weather conditions. A prolonged economic downturn or negative weather patterns, particularly in states where many of our sales are made, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets and worldwide economic conditions may adversely affect our operating results.

The markets in which we compete are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States and worldwide, including availability of credit, interest rates, fluctuations in capital, credit and mortgage markets and business and consumer confidence. Adverse developments in global financial markets and general business and

economic conditions, including through recession, downturn or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including our ability and the ability of our customers and suppliers to access capital.

Risks related to our business

An inability to successfully develop new products or improve existing products could negatively impact our ability to attract new customers and/or retain existing customers, including our significant customers.

Our success depends on meeting consumer needs and anticipating changes in consumer preferences with successful new products and product improvements. We aim to introduce products and new or improved production processes proactively to offset obsolescence and decreases in sales of existing products. While we devote significant focus to the development of new products, we may not be successful in product development and our new products may not be commercially successful. In addition, it is possible that competitors may improve their products more rapidly or effectively, which could adversely affect our sales. Furthermore, market demand may decline as a result of consumer preferences trending away from our categories or trending down within our brands or product categories, which could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

The loss of, or a significant adverse change in our relationships with our largest customers, or loss of market position of any major customer, whether because of an inability to successfully develop new products or improve existing products, or otherwise, could cause a material decrease in net sales. The loss of, or a reduction in orders from, any significant customers, losses arising from customers’ disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or performance or related matters, or an inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could adversely impact our net income and cash flow. In addition, revenue from customers that have accounted for significant revenue in past periods, individually or as a group, may not continue, or if continued, may not reach or exceed historical levels in any period.

Although we historically have been able to retain the majority of our customers on a year to year basis, if we fail to attract new customers, retain existing customers, or maintain or increase sales to customers, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects will be harmed.

Although we historically have been able to retain the majority of our customers on a year to year basis, we do not have long-term agreements with our customers and their purchases are made on an order-by-order basis. Our business with our customers has been, and we expect it will continue to be, conducted based on the actual orders received from time to time. Our customers are not obligated in any way to continue placing orders with us at the same or increasing levels, or at all. Our customers level of demand for our products may fluctuate significantly from period to period. Such fluctuation is attributable mainly to changes in customer demand, including their business strategies and operational needs. The loss of our repeat customers, or if we are unable to attract new customers or if our existing customers decrease their spending on the products we offer, fail to make repeat purchases of our products, will harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.

Our business may be adversely affected by weather conditions and other external factors beyond our control.

Markets for our products are seasonal and can be affected by inclement weather conditions. Historically, our business has experienced increased sales in the second and third quarters of the year due to increased construction during those periods. Because much of our overhead and operating expenses are spread ratably throughout the year, our operating profits tend to be lower in the first and fourth quarters. Inclement weather conditions can affect the timing of when our products are applied or installed, causing reduced profit margins when such conditions exist. For example, unseasonably cold weather or extraordinary amounts of rainfall may decrease construction activity.

Further, other external factors beyond our control could cause disruptions at any of our facilities, including maintenance outages; prolonged power failures or reductions; a breakdown, failure or substandard performance of any equipment or other operational problems; disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, including railroad tracks, bridges, tunnels or roads; fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes or other catastrophic disasters; pandemics, such as Coronavirus; or an act of terrorism. Any prolonged disruption in operations at any of our facilities could cause a significant loss in production. As a result, we could incur significantly higher costs and longer lead times associated with distributing our products to customers during the time that it takes for us to reopen or replace a damaged facility, which could cause our customers to purchase from our competitors either temporarily or permanently. If any of these events were to occur, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations

Price volatility and supply constraints for raw materials could prevent us from meeting delivery schedules to our customers or reduce our profit margins.

Our suppliers are heavily dependent on the price and supply of raw materials such as limestone, and natural stone. Raw material prices have been volatile in recent years and may remain volatile in the future. Raw material prices are influenced by numerous factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions domestically and internationally, currency fluctuations, the availability of raw materials, competition, labor costs, freight and transportation costs, production costs, tariffs, import duties and other trade restrictions.

Further, energy is used in the freight transportation of our products, many of which are sourced from overseas. Consequently, our operating costs typically increase if energy costs rise. During periods of higher energy costs, we may not be able to recover our operating cost increases through price increases without reducing demand for our products. To the extent we are not able to recover these cost increases through price increases or otherwise, our profitability and cash flow will be adversely impacted. We partially hedge our exposure to higher prices through fixed forward positions.

Failure to retain or replace key personnel could hurt our operations.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the efforts, contributions and abilities of our senior management and other highly skilled personnel, including our sales personnel. These executives and managers have many accumulated years of experience in our industry and have developed personal relationships with our customers and suppliers that are important to our business. If we do not retain the services of our key personnel or if we fail to adequately plan for the succession of such individuals, our customer relationships, or our supplier relationships, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

If we are unable to enforce our intellectual property rights, or if such intellectual property rights become obsolete, our competitive position could be adversely affected.

As a company that manufactures and markets branded products, we expect to rely on trademark and service mark protection to protect our brands. We have filed applications for three trademarks that are used on our products, all of which are under review or pending. These protections may not adequately safeguard our intellectual property and we may incur significant costs to defend our intellectual property rights, which may harm our operating results. There is a risk that third parties, including our current competitors, will infringe on our intellectual property rights, or claim that our products infringe on their intellectual property rights. These third parties may bring infringement claims against us or our customers, which may harm our operating results.

If we are unable to protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, or if there are any successful intellectual property challenges or infringement proceedings against us, our business and revenue could be materially and adversely affected.

We could incur significant costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under applicable environmental, health and safety laws.

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental, health and safety laws. Among other things, these laws regulate the emission or discharge of materials into the environment, govern the use, storage, treatment, disposal and management of hazardous substances and wastes, protect the health and safety of our employees and the end-users of our products, regulate the materials used in our products and impose liability for the costs of investigating and remediating, and other damages resulting from, present and past releases of hazardous substances. Violations of these laws or of any conditions contained in environmental permits can result in substantial fines or penalties, injunctive relief, requirements to install pollution or other controls or equipment, civil and criminal sanctions, permit revocations and facility shutdowns. We could be held liable for the costs to investigate, remediate or otherwise address contamination at any real property we have ever owned, operated or used as a disposal site or other sites at which we or predecessors released hazardous materials. We also could incur fines, penalties or sanctions or be subject to third-party claims, including indemnification claims, for property damage, personal injury or otherwise as a result of violations of or liabilities under environmental, health and safety laws or in connection with releases of hazardous or other materials. In addition, changes in, or new interpretations of, existing laws, regulations or enforcement policies, the discovery of previously unknown contamination, or the imposition of other environmental liabilities or obligations in the future, including additional investigation, remediation or other obligations with respect to our products or business activities or the imposition of new permit requirements, may lead to additional costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Changes in building codes and standards could increase the cost of our products, lower the demand for our products, or otherwise adversely affect our business.

Our products and markets are subject to extensive and complex local, state, federal, and foreign statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations. These mandates, including building design and safety and construction standards and zoning requirements, affect the cost, selection, and quality requirements of building components.

These statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations often provide broad discretion to governmental authorities as to the types and quality specifications of products used in new residential and non-residential construction and home renovations and improvement projects, and governmental authorities can impose different standards. Compliance with these standards and changes in such statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations may increase the costs of manufacturing our products or may reduce the demand for certain of our products in the affected geographical areas or product markets. Conversely, a decrease in product safety standards could reduce demand for our more modern products if less expensive alternatives that did not meet higher standards became available for use in that market. All or any of these changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive.

We compete with all other alternative methods of building construction, which may be viewed as more traditional, more aesthetically pleasing, or having other advantages over our products. In addition, competition in the construction markets of the building industry is intense. It is based primarily on quality; service; on-time delivery and project completion; ability to provide added value in distribution, manufacture, design and engineering; price; and personal relationships with customers.

We may be significantly affected by global climate change or by legal, regulatory or market responses to global climate change.

Concern over the effects of global climate change has led to federal, state and international legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas, or GHG, emissions. In the past, the United States Congress has considered various bills to regulate GHG emissions. Though the legislation did not become law, the U.S. Congress could pass climate change legislation in the future. In addition, in the past, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, took steps to regulate GHG emissions, though at this time the EPA is not actively regulating GHG emissions. More stringent federal, regional, state and foreign laws and regulations relating to global climate change and GHG emissions may be adopted in the future. These laws and regulations could impact our facilities, raw material suppliers, the transportation and distribution of our products, and our customers, and could reduce demand for our products or cause us to incur additional capital, operating or other costs. Until the timing, scope and extent of any future legislation or regulation becomes known, we cannot predict its effect on our business. In addition, global climate change may increase the frequency or intensity of extreme weather events, such as storms, floods, heat waves, and other events that could affect our facilities and demand for our products. We are mindful of the harmful effects of global climate change and are taking steps to minimize our GHG emissions.

We rely on third-party suppliers, some of which are international, for materials and if we fail to identify and develop relationships with a sufficient number of qualified suppliers, or if there is a significant interruption in our supply chains, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our ability to offer a wide variety of products to our customers is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate product supply from third-party suppliers, namely quarries. We generally have multiple suppliers; however, in some cases, materials are provided by a single supplier. The loss of, or substantial decrease in the availability of, products from our suppliers, or the loss of a key supplier, could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Supply interruptions could arise from production difficulties including the closure of a quarry, and any suitable alternative for a particular stone quality, color, size, or packaging may be at a significantly higher cost. In addition, we may be materially adversely impacted by commodity cost volatility, pandemics, labor disputes, natural disasters, weather conditions, international trade disputes or trade policy changes or restrictions, tariffs or import-related taxes, third-party strikes, lock-outs, work stoppages or slowdowns, shortages of supply chain labor and truck drivers, shipping capacity constraints, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, civil unrest, or other factors beyond our control.

For example, U.S. and global markets are experiencing volatility and disruption related to the escalation of geopolitical tensions and the military conflict currently ongoing in Ukraine and the Middle East. These conflicts could lead to market or operational disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices, credit and capital markets, as well as supply chain shipping and freight interruptions. The price and availability of freight shipping containers, known as container freight rates, could materially negatively impact our business as it may no longer be economical to import materials from overseas suppliers. Many of our suppliers and manufacturers are located outside of the United States. Thus, compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding the importation of products, import taxes or costs, including new or increased tariffs, anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, or similar duties, some of which could be applied retroactively, could increase the cost of the products that we distribute. In addition, quotas, embargoes, sanctions, safeguards, and customs restrictions, as well as foreign labor strikes, work stoppages, or boycotts, could reduce the supply of the products available to us. Short- and long-term disruptions in our supply chain would result in a need to maintain higher inventory levels as we replace similar product, a higher cost of product and ultimately a decrease in our net sales and profitability. To the extent our suppliers experience disruptions, there is a risk for delivery delays, production delays, production issues or delivery of non-conforming products by our suppliers. Even where these risks do not materialize, we may incur costs as we prepare contingency plans to address such risks. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of materials. If the costs of our imported products increase and we are not able to pass along those increased costs to our customers, then our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our agreements with suppliers are generally terminable by either party on limited notice, and in some cases we do not have written agreements with our suppliers. If market conditions change or worsen, suppliers may stop offering us favorable terms, including volume-based incentive terms. Our suppliers may increase prices or reduce discounts on the products we distribute and we may be unable to pass on any cost increase to our customers, thereby resulting in reduced margins and profits. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on favorable terms, commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could put pressure on our operating margins or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Loss of key suppliers and manufacturers would be highly disruptive and could affect our financial health.

Our ability to offer a wide variety of products to our customers, including our private label products, is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate product supply from manufacturers and suppliers. Our most critical suppliers are Westlake, Pangaea Stone, Stonehenge Slate, Hoch Stone, and Earthcore. Generally, our products are obtainable from various sources and in sufficient quantities subject to then current market conditions. However, the loss of, or a substantial decrease in the availability of, key products from our suppliers, or the loss of key supplier arrangements, could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows. Although in many instances we have agreements with our suppliers, these agreements are generally terminable by either party on limited notice. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, would be highly disruptive and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.

Breaches of our information system security measures could disrupt our internal operations.

We are dependent upon information technology for the distribution of information internally and also to our customers and suppliers. This information technology is subject to theft, damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including but not limited to malicious computer viruses, security breaches and defects in design. Purchase of our products may involve the transmission and/or storage of data, including in certain instances customers’ business and personally identifiable information. Thus, maintaining the security of computers, computer networks and data storage resources is a critical issue for us and our customers, as security breaches could result in vulnerabilities and loss of and/or unauthorized access to confidential information. We have in the past faced, and may in the future face attempts by hackers, cybercriminals or others with authorized access to our systems to misappropriate our proprietary information and technology, interrupt our business, and/or gain unauthorized access to confidential information. The reliability and security of our information technology infrastructure and software, and our ability to expand and continually update technologies in response to our changing needs is critical to our business. To the extent that any disruptions or security breaches result in a loss or damage to our data, it could cause harm to our reputation or brand. This could lead some customers to stop purchasing our products and reduce or delay future purchases of our products or the use of competing products; lead to state or federal enforcement action, which could result in fines, penalties and/or other liabilities and which may cause us to incur legal fees and costs; and/or result in additional costs associated

with responding to a cyberattack. Increased regulation regarding cyber security may increase our costs of compliance, including fines and penalties, as well as costs of cyber security audits. Any of these actions could materially adversely impact our business and results of operations.

We have invested in industry appropriate protections and monitoring practices of our data and information technology to reduce these risks and continue to monitor our systems on an ongoing basis for any current or potential threats. There can be no assurance, however, that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches to our third party providers’ databases or systems that could adversely affect our business.

Damage to our computer infrastructure and software systems could harm our business.

The unavailability of any of our primary information management systems for any significant period of time could have an adverse effect on our operations. In particular, our ability to deliver products to our customers when needed, collect our receivables and manage inventory levels successfully largely depend on the efficient operation of our computer hardware and software systems. Through information management systems, we provide inventory availability to our sales and operating personnel, improve customer service through better order and product reference data and monitor operating results. Difficulties associated with upgrades, installations of major software or hardware, and integration with new systems could lead to business interruptions that could harm our reputation, increase our operating costs and decrease our profitability. In addition, these systems are vulnerable to, among other things, damage or interruption from power loss, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, operator negligence, physical and electronic loss of data, or security breaches and computer viruses.

We risk liabilities and losses due to property damage or product liability claims, which may not be covered by insurance.

Exposures that could create insured (or uninsured) liabilities are difficult to assess and quantify due to unknown factors, including but not limited to injury frequency and severity, natural disasters, terrorism threats, third-party liability, and claims that are incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Although we engage third-party actuarial professionals to assist us in determining our probable future loss exposure, it is possible that claims or costs could exceed our estimates or our insurance limits, or could be uninsurable. In such instances we might be required to use working capital to satisfy these losses rather than to maintain or expand our operations, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and our financial condition.

Further, we face an inherent business risk of exposure to product liability claims, including class action claims and warranties, in the event that the use of any of our products results in personal injury or property damage. In the event that any of our products are defective or prove to be defective, among other things, we may be responsible for damages related to any defective products and may be required to cease production, recall or redesign such products. Because of the long useful life of our products, it is possible that latent defects might not appear for several years. Any insurance we maintain may not continue to be available on acceptable terms or such coverage may not be adequate for liabilities actually incurred. Further, any claim or product discontinuance, recall or redesign could result in adverse publicity against us, which could cause sales to decline, or increase warranty costs.

Increases in labor costs, potential labor disputes, union organizing activity and work stoppages at our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers could delay or impede our production, reduce sales of our products and increase our costs.

Our financial performance is affected by the availability of qualified personnel and the cost of labor. Any interruption in the production or delivery of our products could reduce sales of our products and increase our costs. Our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel to operate our facilities efficiently is critical to our financial performance. Any labor shortage will create operating inefficiencies that could adversely impact our financial performance.

Risks related to our company

Our business has generated net loses, and we intend to continue to invest substantially in our business. Thus, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability. We may not be able to secure financing on favorable terms, or at all, to meet our future capital needs.

We may expand through investments in, acquisitions of, or the development of new products with assistance from, other companies, any of which may not be successful and may divert our management’s attention.

In the past, we completed strategic acquisitions. We also may evaluate and enter into discussions regarding an array of potential strategic transactions, including acquiring complementary products, technologies or businesses. An acquisition, investment or business relationship may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. In particular, we may encounter difficulties integrating the businesses, technologies, products, personnel or operations of the acquired companies, particularly if the key personnel of the acquired company choose not to be employed by us, and we may have difficulty retaining the customers of any acquired business due to changes in management and ownership. Acquisitions may also disrupt our ongoing business, divert our resources and require significant management attention that would otherwise be available for ongoing development of our business. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the anticipated benefits of any acquisition, investment or business relationship would be realized timely, if at all, or that we would not be exposed to unknown liabilities. In connection with any such transaction, we may:

•        encounter difficulties retaining key employees of the acquired company or integrating diverse business cultures;

•        incur large charges or substantial liabilities, including without limitation, liabilities associated with products or technologies accused or found to infringe on third-party intellectual property rights or violate existing or future privacy regulations;

•        issue shares of our capital stock as part of the consideration, which may be dilutive to existing stockholders;

•        become subject to adverse tax consequences, legal disputes, substantial depreciation or deferred compensation charges;

•        use cash that we may otherwise need for ongoing or future operation of our business;

•        enter new geographic markets that subject us to different laws and regulations that may have an adverse impact on our business;

•        experience difficulties effectively utilizing acquired assets;

•        encounter difficulties integrating the information and financial reporting systems of acquired businesses, particularly those that operated under accounting principles other than those generally accepted in the U.S. prior to the acquisition by us; and

•        incur debt, which may be on terms unfavorable to us or that we are unable to repay.

If we are unable to obtain additional financing, business operations will be harmed and if we do obtain additional financing then existing shareholders may suffer substantial dilution.

We need substantial capital to implement our sales distribution strategy for our current products, strategic acquisitions to maximize existing technologies to create opportunities to create synergy and opportunity. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

•        the problems, delays, expenses, and complications frequently encountered by early-stage companies;

•        market acceptance of our products;

•        the success of our sales and marketing programs; and

•        we expect, if we raise at least $[_] in gross proceeds in this offering, that the net proceeds, along with our current cash position, will be able to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure for at least the next [two] years. Thereafter, unless we achieve profitability, we anticipate that we will need to raise

additional capital to fund our operations and to otherwise implement our overall business strategy. We currently do not have any contracts or commitments for additional financing. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Any additional equity financing may involve substantial dilution to then existing shareholders.

If adequate funds are not available or if we fail to obtain acceptable additional financing, we may be required to:

•        severely limit or cease our operations or otherwise reduce planned expenditures and forego other business opportunities, which could harm our business;

•        obtain financing with terms that may have the effect of substantially diluting or adversely affecting the holdings or the rights of the holders of our capital stock; or

•        obtain funds through arrangements with future collaboration partners or others that may require us to relinquish rights to some or all of our technologies or products.

Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our senior management.

Our success is substantially dependent on the continued service of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Matthew Lipman, our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), Edward Schultz, and Kevin Grotke, President and Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary, TotalStone LLC. We do not carry key person life insurance on any of its management, which would leave us uncompensated for the loss of any of its management. The loss of the services of any of our senior management could make it more difficult to successfully operate our business and achieve our business goals. In addition, our failure to retain qualified personnel in the diverse areas required for continuing its operations could harm our product development capabilities and customer and employee relationships, delay the growth of sales of our products and could result in the loss of key information, expertise or know-how.

We may not be able to hire or retain other key personnel required for our business, which could disrupt the development and sales of our products and limit our ability to grow.

Competition in our industry for senior management and other key personnel is intense. If we are unable to retain our existing personnel, or attract and train additional qualified personnel, either because of competition in our industry for such personnel or because of insufficient financial resources, our growth may be limited.

Affiliates of Brookstone (BPA XIV, LLC and BP Peptides LLC) currently have and will, following this offering continue to have significant control over shareholder matters and the minority shareholders will have little or no control over our affairs.

Currently, BP Peptides LLC, an entity jointly controlled by Messrs. Lipman and Toporek, owns 77.3% of the Company’s shares. Following the offering, we expect that BP Peptides LLC and another entity jointly controlled by Messrs. Lipman and Toporek, BPA XIV, LLC, will have the ability to control all matters requiring shareholder approval because these entities will own over 50% of our common stock, will control over 50% of our voting stock (inclusive of the votes of the over 50% of the Series B Preferred Stock shares outstanding we expect to issue to BPA XIV, LLC prior to the consummation of this offering), and, via the protective provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock, will have to consent before we can conduct major corporate actions. BP Peptides, LLC and BPA XIV, LLC may have interests that are different from yours. For example, these entities may support proposals and actions with which you may disagree. The concentration of ownership could delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or otherwise discourage a potential acquirer from attempting to obtain control of our Company, which in turn could reduce the price of our stock. In addition, these entities could use their voting influence to maintain our existing management and directors in office (including Messrs. Lipman and Toporek), delay or prevent changes in control of our Company, or support or reject other management and board proposals that are subject to stockholder approval, such as amendments to our employee stock plans and approvals of significant financing transactions.

We may not have sufficient resources to effectively introduce and market our services and products, which could materially harm our operating results.

Continuation of market acceptance for our existing services and products require substantial marketing efforts and will require our sales account executives and contract partners to make significant expenditures of time and money. In some instances, we will be significantly or totally reliant on the marketing efforts and expenditures of our contract partners, outside sales agents and distributors.

Because we currently have very limited marketing resources and sales capabilities, commercialization of our products, some of which require regulatory clearance prior to market entrance, we must either expand our own marketing and sales capabilities or consider collaborating with additional third parties to perform these functions. We may, in some instances, rely significantly on sales, marketing and distribution arrangements with collaborative partners and other third parties. In these instances, our future revenue will be materially dependent upon the success of the efforts of these third parties.

Should we determine that expanding our own marketing and sales capabilities is required, we may not be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to serve in our sales and marketing organization, to develop an effective distribution network or to support our commercialization activities otherwise effectively. The cost of establishing and maintaining a more comprehensive sales and marketing organization may exceed its cost effectiveness. If we fail to further develop our sales and marketing capabilities, if sales efforts are not effective or if costs of increasing sales and marketing capabilities exceed their cost effectiveness, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be materially adversely affected.

We could be impacted by unfavorable results of legal proceedings

We may from time to time be involved in future litigation in which substantial monetary damages are sought. Litigation claims may relate to intellectual property, contracts, employment, securities and other matters arising out of the conduct of our current and past business activities. Any claims, whether with or without merit, could be time consuming, expensive to defend and could divert management’s attention and resources. We may maintain insurance against some, but not all, of these potential claims, and the levels of insurance we do maintain may not be adequate to fully cover any and all losses.

With respect to any litigation, our insurance may not reimburse us, or may not be sufficient to reimburse us, for the expenses or losses we may suffer in contesting and concluding such lawsuit. The results of any future litigation or claims are inherently unpredictable and substantial litigation costs, including the substantial self-insured retention that we are required to satisfy before any insurance applies to a claim, unreimbursed legal fees or an adverse result in any litigation may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash from operating activities or financial condition.

We operate in a highly competitive industry.

We may encounter competition from local, regional or national entities, some of which have superior resources or other competitive advantages in the larger materials distribution space. Intense competition may adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. These competitors may be larger and more highly capitalized, with greater name recognition. We will compete with such companies on brand name, quality of services, level of expertise, advertising, product and service innovation and differentiation of product and services. As a result, our ability to secure significant market share may be impeded.

Risks related to our securities

Capstone Holding Corp. is a holding company with no operations of its own, and it depends on its operating subsidiary for cash to fund all of its operations and expenses, including to make future dividend payments, if any.

Our operations are conducted entirely through our operating subsidiary, and our ability to generate cash to fund operations and expenses, to pay dividends or to meet debt service obligations is highly dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from our subsidiaries through dividends or intercompany loans. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of Capstone Holding Corp., LLC (“Holdings”) and its subsidiaries for any reason could limit or impair their ability to pay such distributions.

Additionally, to the extent that Holdings needs funds, and its subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of our financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

If we do not complete this offering, our Common Stock will remain quoted on the OTCQB where trading is volatile, and we may not be able to meet our anticipated cash needs.

If we do not complete this offering, our Common Stock will remain quoted on the OTCQB. Trading in securities quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors, some of which may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our Common Stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover, the OTCQB is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTCQB is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on Nasdaq. These factors may result in investors having difficulty reselling any shares of our Common Stock.

In addition, if we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market products that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

Sales of a significant number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market or the perception of such possible sales, could depress the market price of our Common Stock.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public markets, which include an offering of our preferred stock or Common Stock could depress the market price of our Common Stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity or equity-related securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our Common Stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our Common Stock.

Our share price could be volatile and our trading volume may fluctuate substantially.

The price of our Common Stock has been and may in the future continue to be extremely volatile. Many factors could have a significant impact on the future price of our shares of Common Stock, including:

•        our inability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, whether through the issuance of equity securities or debt;

•        our failure to successfully implement our business objectives;

•        compliance with ongoing regulatory requirements;

•        market acceptance of our products;

•        changes in government regulations;

•        general economic conditions and other external factors;

•        actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial and operating results; and

•        the degree of trading liquidity in our shares of Common Stock.

•        domestic and international economic and political factors unrelated to our performance;

•        changes in securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance;

•        action by institutional stockholders or other large stockholders, including future sales;

•        failure to meet any guidance given by us or any change in any guidance given by us, or changes by us in our guidance practices;

•        announcements by us of significant impairment charges;

•        speculation in the press or investment community;

•        investor perception of us and our industry;

•        changes in market valuations or earnings of similar companies;

•        announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, dispositions or strategic partnerships;

•        war, terrorist acts and epidemic disease;

•        any future sales of our common stock or other securities; and

•        additions or departures of key personnel.

In particular, we cannot assure that you will be able to resell your shares at or above your purchase price. The stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which would harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

A decline in the price of our shares of Common Stock could affect our ability to raise further capital and adversely impact our ability to continue operations.

The relatively low price of our shares of Common Stock, and a decline in the price of our shares of Common Stock, could result in a reduction in the liquidity of our Common Stock and a reduction in our ability to raise capital. Because we expect a significant portion of our operations will be financed through the sale of equity securities, a decline in the price of our shares of Common Stock could be especially detrimental to our liquidity and our operations. Such reductions and declines may force us to reallocate funds from other planned uses and may have a significant negative effect on our business plans and operations, including our ability to continue our current operations. If the price for our shares of Common Stock declines, it may be more difficult to raise additional capital. If we are unable to raise sufficient capital, and we are unable to generate funds from operations sufficient to meet our obligations, we will not have the resources to continue our operations.

The market price for our shares of Common Stock may also be affected by our ability to meet or exceed expectations of analysts or investors. Any failure to meet these expectations, even if minor, may have a material adverse effect on the market price of our shares of Common Stock.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) sales practice requirements may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our Common Stock.

FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low-priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our Common Stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our Common Stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.

We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock. As result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our Common Stock appreciates.

We currently do not expect to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. In addition, in the future we may enter into agreements that prohibit or restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our Common Stock. As a result, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment will be if the market price of our Common Stock appreciates and you sell your shares at a profit.

We could issue additional Common Stock, which might dilute the book value of our Common Stock.

Our Board has authority, without action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or a part of our authorized but unissued shares. Such stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount or a premium from the then-current trading price of our Common Stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for our Common Stock. These issuances would dilute the percentage ownership interest, which would have the effect of reducing your influence on matters on which our shareholders vote and might dilute the book value of our Common Stock. You may incur additional dilution if holders of stock warrants or options, whether currently outstanding or subsequently granted, exercise their options, or if warrant holders exercise their warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock.

We may issue preferred stock with terms that could adversely affect the voting power or value of our Common Stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock with respect to dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we have designated 5,000 shares of the Company’s authorized preferred stock as Series “A” Preferred Stock, par value $0.0005, which rank senior only to any other class or series of designated and outstanding preferred shares of the Company, and the holders of which are entitled to receive a quarterly dividend, payable after a dividend has been made on the common stock. In addition, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or upon the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of our common stock. For more information, see “Description of Capital Stock”.

In addition, prior to the consummation of this offering we expect to create a class of Series B Preferred Stock with such preferred stock’s certificate of designation containing protective provisions requiring holders of 50% of the stock to consent before we can conduct major corporate actions. We expect to issue to BPA XIV, LLC (an entity jointly controlled by Messrs. Lipman and Toporek), prior to the consummation of this offering, more than 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding.

Future issuance of our Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants could dilute the interests of existing stockholders.

We may issue additional shares of our Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants in the future. The issuance of a substantial amount of Common Stock, preferred stock, options and warrants could have the effect of substantially diluting the interests of our current stockholders. In addition, the sale of a substantial amount of Common Stock or preferred stock in the public market, or the exercise of a substantial number of warrants and options either in the initial issuance or in a subsequent resale by the target company in an acquisition which received such Common Stock as consideration or by investors who acquired such Common Stock in a private placement could have an adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock.

Future debt issuance may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.

If, in the future, we decide to issue debt securities that rank senior to our common stock, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.

Anti-takeover provisions in our certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and Tax Benefit Plan could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and may affect the trading price of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and Tax Benefit Plan include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

RISKS RELATED TO THE OFFERING

Investors in This Offering Will Experience Immediate and Substantial Dilution in Net Tangible Book Value.

The public offering price per share of our Common will be substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding Common Stock. As a result, investors in this offering will incur immediate dilution of $4.59 per share, based on the assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share. Investors in this offering will pay a price per share that substantially exceeds the book value of our assets after subtracting our liabilities. See “Dilution” for a more complete description of how the value of your investment will be diluted upon the completion of this offering.

We May Need Additional Capital, and the Sale of Additional Shares or Equity or Debt Securities Could Result in Additional Dilution to Our Stockholders.

We believe that our existing cash, together with the net proceeds from this offering, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next two years. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or other future developments. If these resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or obtain one or more credit facilities. The sale of additional equity securities could result in additional dilution to our stockholders and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a Common Stockholder. The incurrence of indebtedness would result in increased debt service obligations and could result in operating and financing covenants that would restrict our operations. It is uncertain whether financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

If we raise additional funds through government grants, collaborations, strategic alliances, licensing arrangements or marketing and distribution arrangements, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue stream or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us.

We Have Broad Discretion in the Use of the Net Proceeds from This Offering and May Not Use Them Effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, including for any of the purposes described in the section of this prospectus entitled “Use of Proceeds.” You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our securities to decline and delay the development of our product candidates. Pending the application of these funds, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

Substantial future sales of shares of our Common Stock in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

Holders of shares of Common Stock that we have issued, including shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion and/or exercise of outstanding convertible notes, shares of preferred stock options and warrants, may be entitled to dispose of their shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Additional sales of a substantial number of our shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Common Stock. Our Common Stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace and there is not now, nor has there been, any significant market for shares of our Common Stock, and an active trading market for our