Kris Hughes 🪓

Social Media Content Creator

Coaching ambitious freelancers to build better businesses.

Developing a strong marketing program isn't easy.
A couple of roadblocks stand in the way.
Some have to do with time, and others, resourcing.

Here's the typical scenario for many companies:
* They're doing some marketing content and storytelling now and then.
* They may occasionally fire off a cold campaign, or run some ads.
* Their marketing is 'good enough,' but they know it could be better.
* Marketing responsibilities are split between several different people.
* Who check the 'task boxes' begrudgingly.
* And the resulting work is disjointed at best, or confusing at worst.

For these companies, marketing is anything but strategic. Or the strategy is made of sticks and string when it should be concrete.

Things can be different, though.

Our work as Fractional Marketers helps these companies:
* Tell a more cohesive and powerful story
* Identify their core audience and create a marketing narrative that resonates
* Find the right channels to develop so effort isn't wasted
* Execute quickly on short-term opportunities and lay the foundation for long-term growth and sustainability 
* Install and execute on repeatable, predictable processes & strategies that continue to move the needle

We offer three options for engagement:

* It all begins with our Marketing Tune-Up. Over 30 days we'll take a 'look under the hood' of your current marketing and find 2-3 opportunities for quick wins that we can work on together. 
* Your investment for the Marketing Tune-Up is directly applied, to one of two monthly retainer options if you choose to keep working with us, the Scale plan and the Soar plan.
* Under the Scale plan we're developing warm and cold email outreach, an organic traffic engine, social media marketing, and thought leadership content to have things firing on all cylinders.
* Under the Soar plan, we become your marketing team, hiring freelancers from our network and going full-speed ahead to help you pour fuel on the fire of your marketing momentum.

You get two of us at Zanate—me and my wife Julie—who bring a combined 30+ years of experience in content, marketing, and storytelling to the table to help your portfolio companies custom-craft and execute a content strategy that's right for their unique situation and niche.

The cost?
Less than half the annualized cost of a typical full time Chief Marketing Officer, on the high end.

Interested to learn more?
It all starts with a free Marketing Strategy Call to set the table.

DM me or book 30 minutes here:
https://savvycal.com/krishughes/marketing-strategy-call

Founder --> Ghostwriter & Content Creator for Growing Coaches & Solopreneurs

Tune-In to who you are at your core, and achieve your wildest dreams from a place of ease & flow | Mentor | Catalyst | Advisor | Fluid Power & Sales Expert

You built a successful business, but now it feels like it owns you.

Sound familiar?

As an engineer turned entrepreneur, I've been there: working longer hours, missing family time, and watching my health suffer while my million-dollar B2B distribution company demanded more of me.

Then I discovered the secret: building systems that let your business run without you.

Today, I help technical founders and B2B companies transform from owner-dependent operations into self-running machines that scale past 7 figures and exit successfully.

My TunedIn Process delivers:

✅ Crystal clear organizational design based on team strengths
✅ Automated systems that run without constant oversight
✅ Key metrics that drive growth while you're away
✅ M&A strategies for exponential expansion
✅ Exit preparation when you're ready

⛔️ Stop letting your business own you. 

Let's build the systems that give you back your freedom while driving growth.

I specialize in:

> Strategic Business Growth Planning
> Distribution Channel Development
> GTM Strategy
> E-commerce Integration
> Technical Business Advisory
> CEO Mindset and Performance

DM or visit my website for more info, or simply call me at:📞(786) 322-3322 (or WhatsApp)

www.ricardosolorzano.com

Ricardo J. Solorzano

“They just made me an offer to buy my business.”







Most founders think:

> They’ll wire the money,
> We’ll sign some paperwork,
> Done.

It’s rarely that simple.

--

When a serious group shows up with an LOI, understand this:

You’re not negotiating with an individual.

You’re negotiating with a team.

People whose job title is literally:

BUYER.

> They’ve closed dozens of deals.
> They know how to structure earn-outs.
> They know how to use exclusivity.
> They know how to re-trade after diligence.

And their compensation is tied to the price and terms they negotiate.

This isn’t personal,

It’s a process.

--

Now compare that to most founders:

> This is their first sale
> Their net worth is concentrated in the company
> They’re emotionally attached
> They haven’t defined their ideal structure

Your objective is not “an offer.”

Your objective is:

> Money in the bank,
> On terms that work for your life,
> With a transition you can actually live with.

That requires:

Clarity on the deal structure you want

Understanding what truly drives valuation

Creating competitive tension

Managing milestones and buyer accountability.

An unsolicited offer can be flattering.

It can also be expensive.

--

If you’ve received an LOI (or think one may be coming),

Don’t go at it alone!

You need someone in your corner who does this every day.



DM me if you want to dissect what it really means. Confidentially.

#exitplanning #businessbroker #mergersandacquisitions #middlemarket

Exit ready doesn’t mean you HAVE TO sell.






That’s the biggest misconception founders have.

We think that because we’re investing time preparing for an exit, we’re somehow committing to doing it.

But the truth is:

Getting exit ready just makes your business BETTER.

> More resilient.
> More valuable.
> More freeing.

--

‘Tom’ and his wife ‘Susan’ were referred to me.

They were thinking about selling.

They’ve been running their 8-figure business since 1998.

> She’s exhausted.
> He loves it.

Work is his hobby. He barely takes vacations.

As we dug into the business, there were clear gaps, so they moved forward with our grow-to-sell engagement.

Four months later:

> Clear KPIs
> COGS under control
> Documented operations, trained team
> Functional org chart (EOS/GWC), hard people decisions made
> Modern sales systems plus AI-driven prospecting
> Two new sales hires

All in support of a defined 10x vision.

Always with an exit option in mind.

But something kept bothering me.

Tom’s energy when we talked growth.

How alive he was inside the business.

So over lunch I asked him:

“Tom: do you actually want to sell?”

He paused and said:

“If I don’t, my wife might collapse.”

The company is almost exit-ready.

He isn’t, and that’s okay.

Because now he has options.

He can replace his wife’s role.
He can keep building.
And he can exit when, and if, he wants to.

On his terms.

It’s not about the transaction.

It’s about the vision,

and having a business that supports whatever future you choose.

--

Curious about what exit-ready means?

DM me or schedule your complimentary call below!


#businessbroker #businesscoach #mergersandacquisitions #middlemarket #growtosell #sellmybusiness #exitplanning

His friend left $1.5M on the table.






He didn’t want to make the same mistake.

When we discussed our engagement and exclusivity, he didn’t push back.

“Common sense,” he said.

What changed his perspective?

A close friend in the same industry, similar size, similar age, was approached by private equity groups.

After enough emails, he engaged.

> The LOI looked strong.
> The headline number was attractive.
> He signed.

No advisor.
No valuation benchmark.
No competitive process.

He entered exclusivity.

He was locked in.

During diligence:

> Working capital adjustments surfaced,
> Structure shifted toward earn-out,
> Risk allocations moved,
> Price was re-traded.

By the time the deal closed, the headline number was not the real number.

Several issues could have been addressed 12 to 18 months earlier with proper preparation.

That experience cost him $1.5M.

But the greater cost was REGRET.

An exit should create freedom.

Not second guessing.

When you have someone in your corner:

> You define the structure before negotiating,
> You create competitive tension,
> You prepare for diligence before buyers see the business,
> You sign only when the terms align with your life.

An offer is flattering.

A controlled process is powerful.

If you are within a few years of exit or already fielding inbound interest, the decisions you make early matter more than you think.

If this resonates, reach out.

The right exit is designed. Not improvised.

--

I only improvise when playing...

#exitplanning #businessbroker #mergersandacquisitions #middlemarket

I've never liked being rushed into things...even as a little kid.







And have always known there's a better way of doing things,

Away from the hustle & grind.

And it's not so much that hustle doesn't have its place, it does!

But it doesn't feel like it when you act from a place of alignment.

...in which grind simply doesn't exist.

--

One of my very first clients was desperate when we first connected.

He NEEDED to sell due to health reasons.

Thought we could just list and that he would have the money wired in his account the next day...

Surprisingly, we did attract a partner that eventually came in and took over while he got better.

But it certainly wasn't ideal.

--

He could have:

> Gotten his financials in order,
> Signed more recurring contracts with top clients,
> Clarified his business model and pipeline so that anyone could take over.

...and it would have surprised him.

He could have sold at top dollar.

But he wasn't ready...

He was forced to RUSH.

--

Don't wait to be rushed...

You can implement steps to run your business exit ready.

Schedule your complimentary discovery call and I will show you how.

Simple. Actionable. Insight.

#businessbroker #businesscoach #exitready #mergersandacquisitions

I'm not going to talk about valuation this time...but this is valuable to me:






Family.

--

My daughter organizes pilates events for foundations within her school.

Every month.

She pours her heart and soul, and it shows!

Today was one of those events, and even though I scrambled to move some stuff off my schedule, I made it right on time!

That's her and my nephew in that picture ❤️

Amazing event, amazing energy...and shaky legs afterwards! 

It was haaaard. But I loved it.

--

When I think about legacy, this is what comes to mind.

Not transactions
Not numbers
Not titles

Family.

And here’s the interesting part:

When you truly prioritize what matters most, your business actually gets better.

Because if family is important to you:

> You build systems
> You create processes
> You hire strong people
> You develop a real back office
> You stop being the bottleneck

You design a company that runs, even when you’re not there.

That’s not stepping away,

That’s building something real.

Legacy isn’t what you leave behind someday.

It’s what your business allows you to be present for today.

#family #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #growtosell

What if your business spoke a universal language?







It does,

It’s called CULTURE.

You don’t see it on the balance sheet,

But buyers feel it within the first 15 minutes.

Have you ever walked into a company and instantly felt alignment?

Now think about the opposite:

Forced smiles, tension in the room, decisions bottlenecked at the founder,

That’s culture.

And here’s the part most founders miss:

When you go to market, culture shows up as:

> Leadership depth
> Employee retention
> Decision velocity
> Customer loyalty
> Transferability

Which all translate into one thing:

VALUATION.

A culture of growth, ownership, and trust expands your multiple.

A culture of dependency, fear, or founder control compresses it.

You can install all the systems in the world,

But if the culture doesn’t scale beyond you, neither will the price.

--

The best exits don’t just sell revenue.

They sell a company that plays in harmony without the founder conducting every note.

If you’re serious about a grow-to-sell strategy, I help founders:

> Clarify the values that actually drive performance
> Define the gap between their current and desired culture
> Build a practical roadmap to bridge it, in a way buyers reward

DM me for details!

--

(My wife caught me during one of my guitar moments last weekend).


#culture #values #businessconsulting #mergersandacquisitions #growtosell #sellmybusiness #miami

My wife always sends me a text with what she needs from the store...






She knows I will forget most of the stuff if she doesn't!

And whether or not I still fail to bring all the stuff she asks for, that's a discussion for another day...😉

Point of it is:

You want people to remember something?

Put it in writing!

--

Lot's of founders get paralyzed when I tell them how much owner dependency affects their valuation...or even the mere possibility of exiting.

They simply don't know how to get started.

Simple:

If you could do ONE thing today,

Document what you do. Split it into subject areas, and just do process workflows with each task involved.

Within that workflow, you'll find you need certain forms / documents,

Add links to them,

Save the process workflow somewhere accessible to everyone,

And schedule a one hour training session with stakeholders.

That's it!

--

Feel lost when figuring out how to get exit ready?

I'm here to help, with easy, actionable insight.


#businessbroker #mergersandacquisitions #businesscoach #exitplanning

Do you like wasting your time talking to tire kickers?






While most just focus on your business valuation,

I like to also add a layer to find out who your IBP is:

Your Ideal Buyer Profile.

Just as we do with sales, where we clarify our ICP, knowing who your ideal buyer is, just makes the process a lot easier.

While also filtering out those that make the deal impossible.

--

I received an inquiry for one of my listings just yesterday.

> The buyer seemed quite the professional at what she does,
> Reported having more than enough to cover the purchase,
> Was even prequalified from 3 different institutions!

BUT: still wasn't qualified.

This specific business requires a license to operate it.

(It's laid out in the public listing info).

And even though there are some workarounds, the SBA requires industry experience at a minimum to approve the loan...and the person with industry experience has to cosign!

She was upset,
Her broker was upset.

But she just didn't meet minimum qualifications.

--

My client?

Didn't even find out. No need to waste his time.

--

Save time by working with a professional broker that filters out tire kickers.

Thinking of selling?
Interested in creating an exit roadmap?
Need help bridging the gaps to your desired valuation?

Schedule your complimentary discovery call and let's get started!


#businessbroker #businesscoach #growth #exitstrategy #exitplanning #mergersandacquisitions

If I could get a dime for every $2M+ EBITDA request I get:








Search funds. Ivy League MBAs. PE firms. Family offices.

“Ricardo, if you ever run into a business with…”

> Consistently growing revenue
> Well diversified customer base
> Recurring revenue model
> Clear repeatability
> Strong management team
> Minimal owner dependency

On and on it goes...

--

Everyone wants the clean one,

The perfect one,

The one with zero risk,

Here’s what most founders don’t realize:

The cleaner it is, the more expensive it is.

Good, strong buyers are not afraid of risk.

They are afraid of unknown risk.

There’s a difference.

The business with no marketing engine
Is a problem for one buyer
And an opportunity for another.

The business with some customer concentration
Is dangerous for the wrong acquirer
And strategic for the right one.

The year with a revenue dip
Is fatal if you can’t explain it
And irrelevant if you can.

At $2M+ EBITDA, you’re not selling a job.

You’re selling a risk profile.

If you don’t understand how the market sees that profile, you’re guessing at your valuation.

Some risks compress your multiple.

Some risks create upside.

Exit readiness is not about being perfect.

It’s about knowing which is which before you go to market.

—

If you’re building with an exit in mind, and you’re not sure how buyers would actually underwrite your business today, that’s a gap worth closing.

I’m here to help you gain that clarity.


#exitplanning #businessbroker #businesscoach #advisor #mergersandacquisitions

Recurring Revenue. The elephant in the valuation discussion room?







Let's use the Fire & Life Safety Industry as an example...

(I've been working with a few clients here lately.)

Most owners I speak to think they have strong recurring revenue.

But when buyers look under the hood, the story often changes.

Let me ask you:

What portion of your revenue would a buyer classify as premium recurring?

Not what feels recurring,

Not the customers that call you every year,

Not the install backlog already awarded,

I mean: contractual, transferable, predictable revenue.

Because here’s what I've noticed seems to be the rule:

> Inspection revenue not actually under signed agreements,
> Contracts not clearly assignable upon sale,
> Retention rates assumed, not measured,
> Margins blended across installs, service, and inspections,
> Recurring revenue that depends on one technician relationship.

That’s not premium recurring.

Buyers care about:

> Contract renewal rates
> Transferability language
> Customer concentration
> Margin by revenue type
> Working capital behavior.

If you cannot clearly separate inspection contracts from service calls from installs, you do not really know your revenue mix.

And if you do not know your revenue mix, you do not know your valuation narrative.

Revenue alone doesn't drive your multiple.

Clarity does.

—

If you are in the Fire & Life Safety space and want to understand how buyers actually segment your revenue before putting a multiple on it, let’s have a conversation.

You do not have to sell.

But you should know and have systems in place to track it!

#fireandlifesafety #fire #recurringrevenue #valuation #exitplanning

You don’t actually want a “full-price” offer for your business.







You want a deal structured on your terms that gives you certainty, clarity, and the outcome you think that headline number represents.

That is why one of the first things I do with every client is lay out every possible deal structure, then design the one that aligns with your priorities:

> Cash at close
> Rollover equity
> Earnouts
> Seller notes
> Employment or transition components
> Tax-optimized pathways

Because the wrong structure can make a great valuation meaningless.

—

You’ve heard the stories:

“My buddy sold for 10× EBITDA.”

Sounds huge, until you learn how it was really structured:

A percentage in cash at closing
The rest in rollover equity at an inflated valuation
Or a 5 year earnout with terms that almost guarantee it never pays out

Suddenly that 10× becomes 3-4×.

And that “dream exit” becomes disappointment.

Expectation is everything.

When you work with the right advisor, you will not just exit.

You will exit intentionally, strategically, and aligned with what actually matters to you:

Satisfaction. Peace of mind. Legacy.

—

If you are preparing for an exit and want a broker who guides you through the real mechanics of maximizing your outcome, not just your headline number,

Book your complimentary discovery call (link in comments).

Let's build the right exit, on your terms!


#businessbroker #businesscoach #mergersandacquisitions #middlemarket #sellmybusiness #exitplanning

The best motivator for performance? Competition.






Our local supermarket is terrible.

Why?

It is the only store in Key Biscayne.

> No competition.
> No urgency.
> No reason to improve.

--

I see the same thing happening with lower middle market business owners.

They get one offer.
Maybe two.
And suddenly it feels like a done deal.

The buyer is “great.”
The terms seem “fair.”
The LOI looks “standard.”

But here is what most owners don’t realize:

Acquisition groups buy companies for a living.

You don’t sell companies for a living.

They have deal teams.
Models.
Lawyers.
Playbooks.

If you go into that process alone with one buyer, you are not negotiating.

You are reacting.

—

The difference between:

Accepting their terms
vs.
Structuring the deal on your terms

…is COMPETITION.

When multiple buyers are involved:

> Valuations move.
> Earnouts shrink.
> Terms improve.
> Certainty increases.

That’s not theory. That’s leverage.

—

If your company is doing:

$10M to $100M in revenue
$2M to $10M EBITDA

You don’t just need a buyer.

You need a controlled process that creates competitive tension.

Let’s talk.

I will show you how to materially increase your odds of a premium valuation and a deal structure you can live with after closing.


#lowermiddlemarket #mergersandacquisitions #advisor #businessconsultant #competition

Don’t let private equity define your exit.







It’s one thing to be told what “a typical deal” looks like.

It’s another to know what would actually make it a hell yes for you.

And then find the PE group where that structure isn’t just acceptable…

…but strategic.

--

I recently spoke with a founder who’d been approached by three PE firms.

All ‘very interested.’

All with a similar playbook:

> Take control of your business
> Optimize the org chart
> Put their operator in
> Exit in 5 years at a higher multiple

You’ve heard it before.

He was excited.

And uncomfortable.

When we slowed it down and clarified what he actually wanted, it became obvious:

Yes, they could bring capital.
Yes, they could bring credibility.
Maybe even a second bite.

But they weren’t buying into his vision.

They were buying into theirs.

That’s the difference.

If this is your first exit, especially in the $2M+ EBITDA range,

You don’t get practice rounds.

You get one.

Even if what you want feels too specific, too founder-driven, too long-term,

There are buyers looking for exactly that.

But only if you’re clear on it first.

Build the deal around your outcome.

Then attract the capital that fits it.

--

Thinking about selling?

Been approached?

Before you sign that LOI, let’s make sure it’s actually a hell yes.

#businessbroker #mergersandacquisitions #privateequity #exitplanning

***NEW LISTING ALERT*** Fast Food Franchise in Mall's Foodcourt!







A CONFIDENTIAL FAST-FOOD FRANCHISE IS UP FOR GRABS 🍔🔥

I’m representing a confidential listing for a well-known national fast-food franchise with a proven playbook and a location that already does the heavy lifting.

Think:

> Recognizable brand,
> Turnkey operations,
> Trained staff in place,
> Clean financials,
> Systems that actually work.

This is a plug-in-and-execute type of deal.

No reinventing the wheel. No guessing.

The owner is selling due to retirement, and this is one that won't be in the market for long!

If you’ve ever thought:

> “I want something that prints cash when run right,”
> “I want a business, not a startup,”
> “I want systems, not chaos.”

Then this is worth a private conversation.

Comment “details” or DM me and I’ll walk you through it.

#newlisting #businessbroker #franchise #forsale #buyabusiness #miami #e2 #e2visa

What if an exit didn’t mean retirement?




What if you could:

> Partially cash out and strengthen your retirement,
> Reinvest to create passive income,
> Retain equity and stay involved,
> Work significantly fewer hours.

What if you could finally deliver on those promises…

To your kids.
To your spouse.
To yourself.

Travel.

Be home for dinner.

Fish or golf midweek without guilt.

As Dave Matthews Band sings in Ants Marching:

“Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die.”

Is that really what you want to do with your life’s chances?

You don’t have to sell 100%.
You don’t have to walk away.
You don’t have to wait.

Let’s get you EXIT ready.

On your terms.

I’m just a DM away.

#businessbroker #mergersandacquisitions #exitplanning

“Ricardo: I want to make them SUFFER!”






Those were his exact words.

A senior executive at a supplier we work with.

Let’s call him 'Henry.'

> He was fired up about the competition.
> Not about building something better.
> Not about serving customers better.
> Not about innovating.

He wanted them to suffer.

Think about that mindset.

All that energy.
All that intensity.
Pointed at destroying someone else.

And here’s the irony.

He doesn’t own anything.

No equity.
No legacy.
No long-term upside.

Just a title on a business card that can disappear the moment the board decides it’s time.

—

Passion without ownership is misdirected power.

If you’re going to burn that much energy, at least build something that’s yours.

Here’s a better strategy:

> Befriend your competitors. You’ll learn more from them than you think.
> Play to your strengths instead of obsessing over someone else’s weaknesses.
> Focus on enterprise value, not ego.

If you’re in corporate and you feel that fire, channel it differently.

> Use your experience.
> Use your industry knowledge.
> Use your operational discipline.

Acquire a cash-flowing business.
Optimize it.
Scale it.
Create real equity.

Something you actually own.

Because a 401(k) is not a legacy.
An asset that produces cash, grows in value, and can be sold on your terms…that is.

And please, don’t fall for the “buy a business with zero down and no risk” fantasy.

Structure it correctly.
Finance it intelligently.
Negotiate it strategically.

—

If you’re serious about leaving corporate and building something that’s yours, let’s talk.

Build. Don’t destroy.

#businessbroker #acquisitions #legacy #entrepreneurship

INEVITABILITY.





I read this word in a book today, and couldn't help but remember Mr. Smith in The Matrix (I love that movie).

And thought: what makes something inevitable?

Can you think of examples?

> If you work out every day, you will inevitably be stronger,
> If you eat clean, whole foods you will be healthier,
> Think better thoughts = attract better outcomes.

Also:

> Create systems for everything in your business,
> A communications plan where you're not needed,
> Respect your team's decisions to show trust.

And inevitably: you will reduce owner dependency.

As you also refine if your team is truly functional and adjust:

You will eventually have a fully functional team,

Which inevitably will mean: higher valuation.

--

If an exit is in your future,

Think of one thing that will make your desired exit INEVITABLE.

Act on it NOW.

And DM me if you need some ideas.


#businessconsultant #mergersandacquisitions #middlemarket #exitplanning

Couldn’t have said it best: 

Deal flow for PE firms generally means you get the short end of the stick as the SELLER.

He’s right: brokers bring competitiveness so that it’s harder for these buyers to stand out.

They end up paying more or losing deals.

Don’t go at it alone!

Helping Private Equity Firms & Family Offices Accelerate Off Market Deal Sourcing.

After 200+ conversations with PE firms the last couple months, I keep hearing the SAME frustration...

"We're tired of competing with 20 other buyers on every deal."

Here's why broker dependency is killing your deal flow.

Let's be honest. The traditional deal sourcing process is broken. You know the drill:

1. A broker calls with a deal.
2. You're one of 10-20 buyers in a crowded room.
3. The auction drives up the price.
4. You either overpay or walk away empty handed.

I spoke with a blue collar PE firm recently. They do great deals in the $2M-$8M EBITDA range (roads, concrete, bridges, fiber optics). Solid business. But every single deal comes through a broker.

That means:

• Competitive auctions
• Higher prices
• Zero negotiating leverage

What do these firms really want? Proprietary deal flow. Deals before they hit the market. Sellers who aren't talking to 20 other buyers.

The core problem? Most PE firms don't have a system to source off market deals. They're stuck in the broker cycle.

We built a marketing system that consistently generates 80+ qualified seller calls per month for one of our partners. This isn't cold calling; it's smart marketing spend that brings in business owners actively exploring a sale.

These aren't sellers on the market. They're not talking to brokers. They're responding to targeted ads and self educating through our process. By the time they schedule a call, they're already framed for a serious conversation.

The true way to break broker dependency and build your own deal flow machine is simple:

1. Build a system that reaches sellers *before* brokers do.
2. Use performance marketing (not outbound cold outreach).
3. Let sellers self educate and self schedule.
4. Engage them early in their decision process.

Deal flow is king. And the firms that control their own deal flow? They win.

Death by Financials: When Your Books Break Trust.






Yet another chapter from our 'deals dying' series:

“The business seemed solid, but the books told a different story…”

On the surface, everything looked great:

> Growing revenue,
> Loyal customer base,
> Strong margins,
> Owner ready to exit.

But once the buyer’s CPA dug into the financials…cracks started to show:

- Payroll “adjustments” that didn’t reconcile
- Add-backs with no documentation
- Year over year inconsistencies
- Missing explanations for inventory swings

It wasn’t fraud.
It wasn’t even intentional.

Just messy.

But to the buyer?

It signaled risk.
Doubt.
Distrust.

And in M&A, trust isn’t built during diligence:  it’s tested.

Once it's shaken, it’s nearly impossible to restore.

The deal died a quiet death.

Not because the business failed.

But because the numbers couldn’t defend the narrative.

If you’re planning to sell, clean financials aren’t optional,

They’re your currency of credibility.

That means:

> Documented and defensible add-backs
> Consistent accounting methods
> Third-party QoE if the deal size warrants it.

A story that matches the numbers

Buyers don’t just buy profit.

They buy CONFIDENCE in that profit.


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If you want to position your business to stand up to buyer scrutiny, let’s talk.

I’ll help you avoid the graveyard.

(Schedule your complimentary discovery call)

#dealflow #businessbroker #sellmybusiness #mergersandacquisitions #exitplanning #dealkillers

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The Battle

Kris Hughes 🪓

Ricardo J. Solorzano

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Performance ScoreRicardo J. Solorzano's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Kris Hughes 🪓

Ricardo J. Solorzano

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Ricardo J. Solorzano's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreRicardo J. Solorzano's LinkedIn Performance