In this solo episode of What’s Next!, Bryan breaks down a powerful framework on how to build a business you don’t have to sell, but could if you wanted to. Fresh off his talk at the U.S. Indoor Sports Conference, Bryan shares real-world insights from his own experience owning and exiting multiple businesses. He walks through the five key drivers of value beyond EBITDA: growth strategy, risk reduction, team strength, market opportunity, and financial fundamentals, and how aligning those elements creates a business that runs without you and attracts buyers. Whether you're building to exit, pass it down, or turn it into a long-term cash machine, this episode gives you the roadmap to create a valuable, scalable, and sellable business on your terms.

Key Moments

• 00:00 – Build a Business You Don’t Have to Sell
• 00:30 – Intro: Lessons from the U.S. Indoor Conference
• 01:20 – Bryan’s Experience: Exits & Equity in Action
• 02:30 – The EBITDA Formula (and Why It’s Just the Start)
• 04:15 – Adjusted EBITDA: What to Add Back In
• 06:00 – How Multiples Impact Valuation
• 07:15 – What Drives Value Beyond EBITDA
• 08:45 – Warren Buffett’s Take on Real Business Value
• 09:40 – Growth Strategy: Past, Present, and Future Direction
• 11:00 – Why Staying On After the Sale Can Pay Off Big
• 12:10 – What a Good Strategy Looks Like (Not a Zigzag)
• 13:30 – Risk Factors That Kill Business Value
• 14:45 – Sacred Cows & Hidden Risks
• 15:50 – Team Competency Formula: IQ + EQ – Ego
• 17:05 – The 6 Things Buyers Look for in Your Team
• 18:20 – Market Opportunity: Are You Solving a Real Problem?
• 19:30 – Customer Acquisition Strategy = Real Power
• 20:50 – Strong Financials: What Buyers Actually Want to See
• 22:00 – The 4 Financial Fundamentals of a Sellable Business
• 23:30 – Recap: 5 Drivers of Value Beyond EBITDA
• 24:40 – The 3 Ways All Businesses Eventually Transition
• 26:10 – Avoiding the Operating Table (and the Fire Sale)
• 27:30 – Final Thoughts & How to Work with Us

Connect with Bryan:

Check out the website: www.whatsnextpodcast.com
Connect with Bryan on Instagram: @bryanfinnerty22
Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn: @bryanfinnerty

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