The Pillar 

Memorial Day is a time to pause, reflect, and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. While many gather with family and friends over the holiday weekend, Memorial Day serves as an important reminder that the freedoms we enjoy every day were secured through extraordinary sacrifice. It is because of those sacrifices that Americans have the ability to pursue opportunity, build businesses, create jobs, support their families, and freely sh

In a recent episode of the Remodelers On The Rise podcast, Jared Ribley joined host Kyle Hunt to discuss a topic many remodeling business owners avoid until it’s too late: what their business is actually worth, and what drives that value in the eyes of buyers.

For many business owners, the question “What is my business worth?” isn’t just about numbers, it’s about years of effort, risk, and identity tied to what they’ve built. But business valuation isn’t a guess, and it’s not based on what you feel your business is worth. It’s a structured, market-driven process that reflects how buyers evaluate opportunity, risk, and future earnings.

When business owners think about selling, the focus is often on one question: “What is my business worth?” But buyers are asking a different question: “Is this a business worth buying?” Understanding what buyers look for is one of the most important steps in preparing for a successful exit, and maximizing value.

On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the Exit Planning Institute (EPI) St. Louis Chapter hosted an engaging and highly practical discussion on what it truly means to be exit ready, from the seller’s perspective. Led by Chapter President Jared and featuring guest speaker Kevin M. Short, Managing Partner and CEO of Clayton Capital Partners, the session combined real-world experience, advisor insight, and active audience participation to unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts

Just like a house accumulates clutter over time, businesses naturally collect inefficiencies, outdated processes, and overlooked risks. While these issues may not disrupt daily operations, they often become highly visible during the merger and acquisition (M&A) process. Buyers look beyond surface performance to assess the long-term sustainability and scalability of a company. A “clean” business signals lower risk, stronger leadership, and greater opportunity for growth.