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

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Eric Wynalda, U.S. soccer legend, broadcaster, and entrepreneur, for a candid conversation about building your brand by staying true to who you are. Eric shares his wild journey from playing in three World Cups to unexpectedly stepping into an 18-year broadcasting career and now launching his own media company. He breaks down lessons learned from navigating career pivots, leading high-performing teams, embracing imperfection, and trusting instincts in business. Eric’s stories—from live TV meltdowns to winning championships in coaching—highlight the importance of authenticity, adaptability, and surrounding yourself with the right people when building a brand and leading with impact.

Chapters

• 01:40 – Eric’s Soccer Journey: First MLS Goal to 3 World Cups
• 03:45 – How Injury Launched an Unexpected Broadcasting Career
• 05:45 – Is It Luck or Being Ready?
• 07:45 – Why Honesty Is the Heart of Great Broadcasting
• 09:40 – Starting a Media Company: Breaking Free from Censorship
• 12:00 – How a Pencil and an Ant Almost Got Him Fired on Live TV
• 14:30 – The Greatest Broadcasting Advice from Al Michaels
• 16:00 – Reinventing in Your 50s: Building a Media Empire
• 17:35 – Building the Right Team: Lessons from Elite Sports
• 19:50 – Why Knowing Your Strengths Changes Everything
• 23:45 – Live TV Disaster: When Everything Went Wrong (and Right)
• 25:45 – Why Imperfection Builds Connection with Audiences
• 27:45 – Why Passion Projects Matter (Even in Midlife)
• 30:05 – Stay Close to What You Love
• 32:50 – From Broadcast to Coaching: Building Teams and Trust
• 34:00 – How Delegating Empowered a Championship Team
• 36:30 – Final Lessons: Build Smart, Stay Authentic, Trust the Journey

Connect with Eric:

• Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-wynalda/
• X: https://x.com/ericwynalda?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacLjBRQqz8GyeZpSlgBZeEOVfGDOv5nr16TZptA2-v6OrG54zskc0D-aEN9zQ_aem_3gTESrTuBi69vd8fLDCNWg
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericwynalda/

Connect with Bryan:

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

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Connect with Bryan:

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

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.

In this episode, Bryan welcomes back Marisa Massana, former LPGA athlete and high-performance strategist, to dive into the powerful connection between accountability, intentionality, personal values, and long-term growth. Marisa shares how she transitioned from elite athlete to entrepreneur, and how journaling, goal setting, and weekly reflection became tools for building a life and business aligned with her true values. She breaks down her framework for helping Fortune 100 leaders and athletes alike reconnect with their goals, identify limiting patterns, and take aligned action. From creating impactful executive retreats to planting seeds for long-term brand partnerships, Marisa drops gems for anyone looking to evolve, lead with purpose, and grow through challenges.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Learning Through Losses
• 00:26 – Marisa Massana Returns
• 02:13 – From LPGA to Business Coaching
• 03:50 – Journaling to Find Your Zone of Genius
• 06:01 – What Intentional Living Really Looks Like
• 07:49 – Aligning Your Calendar with Your Core Values
• 09:28 – Avoiding the Trap of Success Without Purpose
• 11:33 – Why Your Hardest Moments Hold the Most Wisdom
• 13:34 – How Marisa Works with Executives & Athletes
• 15:48 – The Power of Weekly Accountability
• 17:18 – Creating Trust with “Golf & Growth” Roundtables
• 19:09 – How to Host a DIY Leadership Session
• 21:08 – The Wins, Losses, Lessons, Systems Framework
• 23:25 – How Marisa Landed a Fortune 100 Partnership
• 25:00 – Seed Planting vs. R&D: Long-Term Brand Building
• 27:07 – The Real Shortcut: There Isn’t One
• 29:04 – Marisa’s “Zero Productivity, Max Vibe” Day
• 31:14 – Rest to Return: Recharging Like a Pro
• 33:11 – Best and Worst Advice from Her Caddy
• 35:14 – Where to Connect + Marisa’s 1:1 “Challenge to Triumph” Calls

Connect with Marisa:

• Linked In: @marisamessana
• Instagram: @marisamessana
• Website: www.marisamessana.com

Connect with Bryan:

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

PS- Do you love this podcast? We would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for the show. This will continue to help us support athletes as they transition to what's next.

Don't forget to FOLLOW the podcast so you don't miss a single episode.