How to Build a Strong Finish to 2026
It’s October. Somewhere between budget season and holiday chaos, a lot of owners quietly decide the year is “basically done.” It isn’t, and twelve weeks is plenty of time to change how 2026 ends. TL;DR: Treat the next 90 days like a sprint, not a wind-down. Tighten cash, clean up your numbers, make your tax […]
How to Value Your RIA Before a Sale
So you’re thinking about selling. Maybe retirement’s calling, maybe a bigger firm made an offer hard to ignore. Either way, before you sign anything, you need to know what your firm is worth. TL;DR: To value your RIA before a sale, focus on your adjusted earnings, not your revenue. That multiple swings hard based on […]
How To Increase Business Value Before An Exit
You’ve built something real. Whether a buyer pays what it’s actually worth depends almost entirely on what you do in the months, or years, before you sign anything. Owners who know how to increase business value before an exit almost always walk away with a better number and a smoother deal. TL;DR: Buyers pay for […]
3 Valuation Mistakes Founders Make
You’ve spent years building something real. So when it’s time to put a number on it, the last thing you want is a surprise. Yet founders make the same business valuation mistakes over and over, and most don’t find out until a buyer’s already at the table. TL;DR: The three biggest business valuation mistakes are […]
Maximum Business Value Before You Exit
You’ve spent years building something real. Here’s the uncomfortable question: is it built to sell, or is it just built around you? TL;DR: If you want to maximize business value before you exit, start years (not months) before you plan to sell, and fix the things that make buyers nervous. What Does It Mean to […]
Why Buyers Pay More for Prepared Companies
Ever wonder why two nearly identical businesses can sell for wildly different prices? The answer almost always comes down to preparation. TL;DR: Buyers pay a premium for businesses that reduce risk and make ownership easy to hand off. When you prepare your business for sale early, you’re not just tidying up, you’re building the story […]
What Size Companies Do Private Equity Firms Typically Acquire?
If you’ve ever wondered whether your business is even “big enough” to catch a private equity firm’s attention, you’re not alone, it’s one of the most common questions we hear from owners exploring an exit. TL;DR: Most private equity firms acquire companies with $2 million to $10 million in EBITDA, though the exact range depends […]
RIA vs. Broker-Dealer: Which Structure Is Right for Your Advisory Business?
Choosing between an RIA and a broker-dealer isn’t just a compliance question. It shapes how you get paid, who you’re accountable to, and what your business is actually worth. TL;DR: RIAs operate under a fiduciary standard and typically offer more independence and business value at exit. Broker-dealers provide infrastructure and product access but come with […]