by Ryan Ray
Join the next Exit-Ready Cohort - https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady This show is for business owners who want a business that works without them. Not bigger for the sake of bigger. Better built. Each episode covers how owners design companies that run clean, handle stress, and hold value. Less chaos. Fewer fires. Clear roles. Real systems. The goal is simple. Build a business you control. One you can step away from, grow, or sell on your terms.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/14/2026
Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.
February 2, 2026
<p>Don't miss the next cohort!</p><p><br /></p><p>Learn how exactly what you need to do to get hundreds of thousands, if not millions more, when you exit. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Get my free assessment to see what you need to work on to build a valuable business.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://t.co/CYRqybwYK4" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.rgahub.com/exitready</a></p>
January 15, 2026
<p>Join the next Exit-Ready Cohort - <a href="https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady">https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady</a></p><p><br></p><p>Business is not business is business." In this episode of the Exit Ready podcast, Ryan Ray sits down with Nick (aka "Co-founders Nick"), a serial entrepreneur who has bought and sold over a dozen companies across industries ranging from healthcare to crypto mining.</p><p>Nick pulls back the curtain on the buyer's mindset, explaining exactly what he looks for when evaluating a business under $10M. He breaks down the four critical questions every buyer asks, why "sub-scale" businesses are just high-priced jobs, and how to spot a "falling knife" before it cuts you. Whether you're planning to sell in 6 months or 6 years, this episode is a masterclass in seeing your company through the eyes of an acquirer.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we cover:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>The Buyer's Lens:</strong> Why your "reason for selling" is the first thing buyers scrutinize.</p></li><li><p><strong>The 4 Deal-Breakers:</strong> Owner dependency, messy financials, lack of SOPs, and the "Falling Knife" risk.</p></li><li><p><strong>Valuation Multiples:</strong> Why a $1M EBITDA business trades at 5x while a sub-$1M business trades at 3x.</p></li><li><p><strong>Clean Books:</strong> Why messy financials aren't just annoying—they are a liability risk that lowers your price.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Ryan -</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@RyanRaySr">https://www.youtube.com/@RyanRaySr</a></p><p><a href="https://x.com/ryanraysr">https://x.com/ryanraysr</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanraysr/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanraysr/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.rgahub.com/exitready">https://www.rgahub.com/exitready</a></p></li></ul>
January 15, 2026
<p>Join the next Exit-Ready Cohort - <a href="https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady">https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady</a></p><p><br></p><p>If you are an owner planning to sell your business, you might look at your bank account and know exactly how much money you made last year. But when a buyer comes to the table with millions of dollars at risk, they aren't going to take your word for it—and neither will the bank.</p><p>In this episode of the Exit Ready podcast, Ryan Ray interviews Patrick O'Connell, founder of O'Connell Advisory Group. Patrick is a financial due diligence expert who works with entrepreneurs, private equity groups, and the ETA (Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition) community.</p><p>They dive deep into the concept of a <strong>Quality of Earnings (QoE)</strong> report—what it is, why buyers demand it, and why sellers should get one before going to market to defend their valuation.</p><p><strong>In this episode, we cover:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>What is a QoE?</strong> Understanding the difference between a standard audit and a Quality of Earnings report.</p></li><li><p><strong>EBITDA vs. SDE:</strong> How to calculate the true earnings of your business by identifying valid add-backs.</p></li><li><p><strong>Common Deal Killers:</strong> Why commingling personal expenses (like family vacations and non-working relatives on payroll) creates a "muddy picture" that scares off buyers.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Timeline:</strong> How far in advance (3 to 12 months) you need to start cleaning up your books to ensure a smooth exit.</p></li><li><p><strong>Defending Your Value:</strong> How to prevent buyers from using due diligence to lower the purchase price.</p><p><br></p><p>Connect with Ryan -</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@RyanRaySr">https://www.youtube.com/@RyanRaySr</a></p><p><a href="https://x.com/ryanraysr">https://x.com/ryanraysr</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanraysr/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanraysr/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.rgahub.com/exitready">https://www.rgahub.com/exitready</a></p></li></ul>
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Join the next Exit-Ready Cohort - https://rgahub.short.gy/ExitReady
This show is for business owners who want a business that works without them.
Not bigger for the sake of bigger. Better built.
Each episode covers how owners design companies that run clean, handle stress, and hold value.
Less chaos. Fewer fires. Clear roles. Real systems.
The goal is simple.
Build a business you control.
One you can step away from, grow, or sell on your terms.
This podcast updates daily.
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.