Everybody wants private equity to buy them. Fewer founders are ready for what buyers actually find.

Your Health Plan Is Probably Screwing You

Your health plan might be robbing you blind. The fun part? You may be paying someone to let it happen. Healthcare benefits are one of the biggest expenses for small business owners, and most employers are stuck playing a game where the rules are hidden, the prices move, and somehow the bill always gets worse. In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, hosts Matthew R. Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca sit down with Donovan Ryckis, CEO of Ethos Benefits, to rip the lid off employer-sponsored healthcare. Donovan breaks down why insurance costs keep rising, how brokers can create conflicts of interest, why pharmacy benefit managers deserve a long side-eye, and how small businesses can start asking much better questions before renewal season punches them in the face. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why healthcare is usually expense number two or three for a business * How broker compensation can work against employers * Why "the insurance company pays me" is not the cute answer people think it is * The four moving parts of every healthcare plan * Why claims data matters more than carrier logos * How pharmacy benefit managers quietly drive up drug costs * Why direct primary care can cut ER visits and save employees time * The real reason better benefits do not have to mean higher costs * How small business owners can stop picking the "least bad" plan * Why transparency is the first step to taking back control 💡 Notable Takeaway: "The only way any healthcare plan is going to lower costs for the employer is if it first lowers costs and works better for the employees." - Donovan 👤 About our Guest: Donovan J. Ryckis is the CEO of Ethos Benefits, an award-winning employee benefits consulting firm helping employers lower healthcare costs through fiduciary-based consulting. He is also the producer of the documentary "It's Not Personal, It's Just Healthcare." 🎧 Why Listen: Before your next healthcare renewal, listen to this episode and ask your broker one question: "Exactly how are you getting paid?" Then visit EthosBenefits.com to learn more, watch Donovan's documentaries, and see what a smarter healthcare plan could look like for your business. 🔗 Links + Stuff Website: www.EthosBenefits.com [http://www.ethosbenefits.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebusinessofbenefitspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thebusinessofbenefitspodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/] Watch the healthcare documentary: https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary [https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary] Watch the PBM documentary, Side Effects May Include: https://ethosbenefits.com/pbm-documentary [https://ethosbenefits.com/pbm-documentary] 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86 [https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan]• Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca]• The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

Everybody wants private equity to buy them. Fewer founders are ready for what buyers actually find.

Selling your company can look like "the big win." The check clears. The headlines sound nice. Maybe someone even posts a tasteful LinkedIn announcement with way too many gratitude emojis. Then comes the hard part: contracts, systems, data, cyber risk, SOPs, people, processes, and the tiny little question that can wreck a deal: Can this business actually run without you? In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project Podcast, Matt sits down with Mark Sims, Managing Principal of Technology Solutions at ConsultMSG, to talk about what business owners need to fix before private equity shows up with a checkbook. Yes, they talk about what happens after a private equity deal closes. New boss. New board. New systems. New rules. Weird vibes in the Monday meeting. But the bigger warning is this: if your business is held together by handshake deals, tribal knowledge, messy data, and "Judy knows where that file is," you may not get the valuation, speed, or smooth transition you were hoping for. Mark breaks down how technology, clean data, documented processes, AI, cybersecurity, and basic operational discipline can protect company value before a sale…or quietly drain it when buyers start looking under the hood. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why founders need to think past the check * What private equity buyers look for beyond revenue * Why messy systems can lower company value * How poor documentation slows down deals * Why handshake deals do not impress buyers * How clean data helps buyers understand how you make money * Why AI is only useful if your data is not garbage * How cyber insurance protects value * Why SOPs matter more than founders want to admit * What makes a business easier to buy, run, and scale 🎧 Listen if you're thinking about… * Selling your business someday * Buying or integrating a company * Cleaning up your operations before a deal * Making better decisions with data * Avoiding expensive tech mistakes * Turning technology into a growth engine 💡 A line we loved… "A founder-owner needs to really think through what life's gonna look like post-close." 👤 About our Guest: Mark Sims is Managing Principal of Technology Solutions at ConsultMSG, where he helps companies use technology, data, and systems to improve operations, support M&A, and scale smarter. He has more than 25 years of experience across strategy, IT, ERP, private equity, manufacturing, retail, and business transformation. 🔗 Links + Stuff * Website: https://consultmsg.com [https://consultmsg.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjsims/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjsims/] Before you chase the private equity check, make sure your business can survive the buyer's questions. Listen now, then share this episode with a founder who thinks "we'll clean that up later" is a strategy. 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com] • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ] • Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://shorturl.at/LwxsA [https://shorturl.at/LwxsA] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan] • Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca] • The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

Your business is not supposed to survive on fumes and vibes.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matthew R. Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca sit down with Ron Saharyan, co-founder and managing partner of Profit First Professionals, to talk about the money problem most business owners pretend is "normal." Ron breaks down why profit is not greed, why cash flow needs a real system, and why your customers, team, family, and mission all need your business to make money. Not someday. Now. Oh, and by the way. Ron is giving away 10 FREE copies of his book. Keep scrolling to learn how you can get one. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why "sales minus expenses equals profit" is not a system. * How Profit First helps owners pay themselves first. * Why cash flow clarity beats guessing from old reports. * The reason too many businesses are check-to-check. * How tiny mistakes quietly murder your margins. * Why taxes can be a badge of honor. Annoying, but still. * How profit helps you pay debt, hire, give, grow, and sleep. * Why business owners need money with a job before it arrives. * How to start with one bank account and 1% of revenue. 💡 Notable Takeaway: "Profit is never bad. It's people that are bad. Profit helps you achieve." 👤 About our Guest: Ron Saharyan is the co-founder and managing partner of Profit First Professionals, a global company that trains accountants, bookkeepers, and financial coaches in the Profit First method. He helps business owners build stronger cash flow, better habits, and companies that do not fall apart every time a bill shows up. Listen…then take action! Open one separate bank account this week and move 1% of your revenue into it. That is your first rep. Build the muscle. Want help bringing Profit First into your business? Visit profitfirstprofessionals.com to get matched with a certified Profit First Professional, or ask your accountant to check out the certification. Ron also offered 10 free copies of Profit First for Liquid Lunch Project listeners. CLICK HERE [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/LKRftA5XujPjo6bR3Ffo] to snag one before they're gone! 🔗 Links + Stuff * Website: www.profitfirstprofessionals.com [http://www.profitfirstprofessionals.com] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ron.saharyan [https://www.facebook.com/ron.saharyan] * LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ronsaharian [https://linkedin.com/in/ronsaharian] * My Money Bunnies: Fun Money Management for Kids (Available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/My-Money-Bunnies-Management-Kids/dp/0578929988/ref=sr_1_1?crid=RV5VAXTDSU1Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lcm-3qOzAdQ22gNU2B8wRm9zJdaU3XuVn79nNYER8e2hzp9vVK3CkA0qXSp_W4V1r5FPm8snhrR6dU-n_nKenENq5jxqt3qxTtcSm-6bNzg.0hp7SNVZGk0pMxDW6hYbF4dxFF_tixUCeVjHEpNpfAA&dib_tag=se&keywords=profit+first+money+bunnies&qid=1780062723&sprefix=profit+first+money+bunnies%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-1]) * See the complete catalog of Profit First books here. [https://profitfirstprofessionals.com/books/] 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://shorturl.at/LwxsA [https://shorturl.at/LwxsA] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan]• Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca]• The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

Would your customers wear your jersey… or ditch you for a cheaper coupon?

In this World Cup-themed episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi break down what every business owner can learn from sports fans: people don't stay loyal because you asked nicely. They stay because they feel something. Customers buy. Fans come back, talk about you, forgive the occasional screw-up, and send people your way without needing a bribe. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident. It comes from trust, clear service, strong brand identity, and a customer experience people actually remember. No guest this week. Just Matt, Luigi, World Cup fever, and a very serious question for your business: Would anyone root for you if they didn't have to? 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why customers chase price, but fans chase connection * The real difference between a sale and a loyal customer * How World Cup fandom applies to small business growth * Why clear pricing and clear next steps build trust fast * How brands like Liquid Death, Uber, Costco, Dropbox, and Starbucks create repeat buyers * Why swag, referrals, and rituals can make your brand stick * The "Jersey Test" every business owner should run * Yellow cards and red cards for customer loyalty mistakes * Why making people feel played is worse than making a mistake * How to build something people actually want to root for 🎧 Listen if you're wondering… Why people keep buying from certain brands even when they cost more. Why your "satisfied customers" are not sending referrals. Why discounts are not a loyalty plan. Why your business might be forgettable, even if your product is good. Listen now, then run the Jersey Test on your business: Do customers remember you, refer you, trust you, and come back without being chased? If the answer stings a little, good. That means this episode is doing its job. 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com] • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/] • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ] • Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://shorturl.at/LwxsA [https://shorturl.at/LwxsA] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan] • Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca] • The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

The Real Cost of Buying a Franchise in 2026

Think franchises are all burgers, fries, and regret? Rich Potter says you're looking in the wrong aisle. In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi sit down with Rich Potter, founder of Franchise Heroes, to talk about what franchising really looks like in 2026. Not the shiny brochure version. The real version. Rich breaks down how franchise ownership works, what it costs, how people fund it, and why the right franchise can be a smart move for someone who is done letting corporate America hold the leash. They also dig into licensing vs. franchising, the truth about "business in a box," and why senior care may be one of the biggest franchise opportunities sitting in plain sight. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why franchising is way bigger than food and beverage * The difference between a franchise and a licensing agreement * What an FDD is and why you better read it * Typical franchise costs in 2026 * Why many owners buy more than one territory * How SBA loans and ROBS funding come into play * Why "business in a box" still needs a real operator * What makes a franchisor worth betting on * How to turn an existing business into a franchise * Why senior care is getting Rich's vote right now 💡 Notable Takeaway: "You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just use what other people have done successfully and replicate it in your market, and you know, off to the races." 👤 About our Guest: Rich Potter is the founder of Franchise Heroes, where he helps people explore franchise ownership without the hype, smoke, or sales circus. He works with professionals in transition, veterans, and future business owners who want a real shot at building something that fits their life. 🎧 Why Listen: Thinking about buying a franchise, leaving corporate life, or turning your own business into a franchise model? Hit play before you sign anything, wire money, or tell your boss where to park their quarterly review. 🔗 Links + Stuff * Franchise Heroes: https://franchiseheroes.co [https://franchiseheroes.co] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-potter-533381a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-potter-533381a/] * Substack: https://franchiseheroes.substack.com/ [https://franchiseheroes.substack.com/] 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://shorturl.at/LwxsA [https://shorturl.at/LwxsA]