Startup funding, venture capital, micro VCs, projections investors believe—this episode of Scrushy on Business dives into what really makes a deal attractive. Richard Scrushy breaks down today's VC landscape—from micro funds writing $500k–$3M checks to mega funds—and share how founders should build credible financial forecasts, avoid investor red flags, and prove the founder/team fit that drives returns.

What you'll learn

• How investors actually read projections (and what makes numbers credible)

• The biggest red flags that kill deals fast (market size, margins, leadership gaps)

• Why founder leadership, organization, and execution beat "cool ideas"

• Reporting that keeps investors confident: monthly P&L, margins, key operating stats

• The reality of today's AI funding boom—and why timing & competition matter

• The true "It Factor": timing, team, market, and relentless execution working together

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In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy takes questions straight from listeners and dives deep into the realities of leadership and entrepreneurship. He shares practical insights on keeping teams motivated through tough times, offering real-world strategies for inspiring confidence and maintaining momentum when challenges arise.

Richard also offers guidance for first-time executives, exploring what it truly takes to step into leadership with confidence and clarity. He breaks down the difference between a good CEO and a great one, revealing the habits, mindset, and vision that elevate leaders to the next level.

Listeners will also hear Richard's take on how small business owners can successfully compete with large corporations, and the most overlooked skill entrepreneurs need to thrive in today's fast-changing business landscape.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or just hungry to learn from a seasoned executive, this Q&A session is packed with practical wisdom, motivation, and timeless lessons in leadership.

Ready to launch—or scale—the right way? In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Dave Greene and Richard Scrushy dig into what first-time founders need to know, from choosing the right corporate structure to validating your idea, finding mentors, winning investor confidence, and knowing when to finally pay yourself. Richard also teases an upcoming session with Troy University's Sorrell College of Business on how to take a company public—from SEC filings and "red herring" prospectus basics to running an investor roadshow.

• C-Corp vs. LLC vs. S-Corp for founders planning an IPO (and why many incorporate in Delaware)

• Public-company prep: audited financials, proxy/10-K/8-K awareness, clean cap tables, and leadership optics

• Roadshows & demand: oversubscription, pricing mechanics, and what institutional funds look for

• Startup triage with limited capital: product vs. team vs. marketing (and low-budget ways to get traction)

• Paying yourself: how Richard handled salary in year one at HealthSouth—and the milestone that changed it

• Mentors that matter: where to find them, how to compensate them, and why "big-boy loans" change the game

• Validate before you raise: friends & family pitfalls, market saturation (CBD example), and doing the math

• Investor red flags: lawsuits, overpaid insiders, all-family leadership teams, thin margins, me-too markets

• Idea vs. business: how homework, unit economics, team fit, and execution make the difference