From Idea to IPO: Richard Scrushy on Structuring, Validating & Raising Right
Release Date: 10/30/2025
Business Plans 101: What Investors Really Want to See (And What Can Go Wrong)
Scrushy on Business
Most business plans don’t fail because the idea is bad—they fail because the plan is vague, unrealistic, or doesn’t answer the questions serious investors will ask immediately. In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy breaks down what a business plan is actually for (hint: it’s not just a document to send lenders), the biggest mistakes first-time founders make, and how to build a plan that’s clear, believable, and usable inside your company. Richard shares what he looks for when someone hands him a business plan, why “pie-in-the-sky” projections kill credibility,...
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New Year Business Planning: Stay Focused, Fund Growth & Know When to Quit Your Job
Scrushy on Business
Happy New Year and welcome to a brand-new episode of Scrushy on Business! Richard Scrushy to kicks off 2026 with a practical conversation about how entrepreneurs should think at the start of a new year—what to review, what to fix, and how to build a plan you can actually execute. Richard shares a real example from a listener who’s preparing to take a company public, and why staying a “pure play” matters when you’re pitching investors. They break down why over-diversifying can kill momentum, how smart founders think about growth rates and valuations, and when it’s time to consider...
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How to Raise Venture Capital: Pitch Deck, Traction, Burn Rate & Term Sheets
Scrushy on Business
Thinking about raising venture capital for your startup or growing business? In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy breaks down what founders need to know before pitching VCs—plus what investors look for (and what gets you turned down fast). Richard shares real-world lessons from building and backing companies, including why speed and scale often matter more than early profitability, and how to structure your company so you don’t kill your deal before it starts. He also discusses how media is changing (radio vs. digital platforms), why hyper-local content matters, and how...
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AI Unicorns, $3 Trillion VC Deals & 9 Must-Do Steps to Start Your Business | Scrushy on Business
Scrushy on Business
In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Dave Greene and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy break down the real world of venture capital, sky-high AI valuations, and the practical steps every entrepreneur must take to start and grow a business the right way. From OpenAI’s $300B valuation and SpaceX as the world’s most valuable private company, to Databricks’ bold claim it can become a $1 trillion AI company, Richard explains how investors actually think about valuation, dilution, and return on investment—and what that means for your startup. Then the conversation pivots from Wall...
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Richard Scrushy on Bad Lawyers, Beating False Charges & Building Healthcare Businesses
Scrushy on Business
In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy opens up about legal battles, dishonest lawyers, and conflicts of interest that nearly destroyed his life and career – and how he is fighting back. He explains what really happened in his federal case, being found not guilty on 36 counts, and why entrepreneurs must protect themselves in today’s litigious business environment. Richard also digs into the business lessons behind the headlines: How conflict of interest in law firms can devastate a client Why you must run conflict checks and ask tough questions of your attorneys and...
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Inside the Billion-Dollar Lawsuit: Richard Scrushy Speaks on Conflict-of-Interest Allegations
Scrushy on Business
In this powerful and candid episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy publicly addresses the breaking news story featured on AL.com: a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit Scrushy has filed against a major Alabama law firm. Richard details, in his own words, how he discovered alleged conflicts of interest, what his legal team uncovered, and why he believes the firm violated basic rules of professional conduct. Beyond the headline story, this episode dives into real-world business lessons drawn from listener questions: 🔹 How restaurant chains are collapsing...
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What Investors Want: Projections, Red Flags & the ‘It Factor’ | Scrushy on Business
Scrushy on Business
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) ...
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Leadership, Motivation, and Competing with the Giants
Scrushy on Business
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...
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From Idea to IPO: Richard Scrushy on Structuring, Validating & Raising Right
Scrushy on Business
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. What you’ll learn C-Corp vs. LLC vs. S-Corp for founders...
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Scrushy on Business: How to Stay Focused, Build for the Next Generation & Know When to Let Go
Scrushy on Business
In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy dives into listener questions about what it really takes to build — and sustain — a successful company. From knowing when to pivot to teaching the next generation to lead, Richard shares candid insights from decades of entrepreneurial experience. Topics covered include: ✅ How to stay persistent when progress feels slow (Q3 – Danielle from St. Louis) ✅ Avoiding burnout and learning when to say no to new opportunities (Q7 – Hannah from Des Moines) ✅ How to start the process of generational business planning (Q8 – Carlos from...
info_outlineReady 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.
What you’ll learn
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C-Corp vs. LLC vs. S-Corp for founders planning an IPO (and why many incorporate in Delaware)
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Public-company prep: audited financials, proxy/10-K/8-K awareness, clean cap tables, and leadership optics
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Roadshows & demand: oversubscription, pricing mechanics, and what institutional funds look for
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Startup triage with limited capital: product vs. team vs. marketing (and low-budget ways to get traction)
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Paying yourself: how Richard handled salary in year one at HealthSouth—and the milestone that changed it
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Mentors that matter: where to find them, how to compensate them, and why “big-boy loans” change the game
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Validate before you raise: friends & family pitfalls, market saturation (CBD example), and doing the math
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Investor red flags: lawsuits, overpaid insiders, all-family leadership teams, thin margins, me-too markets
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Idea vs. business: how homework, unit economics, team fit, and execution make the difference