Unlocking Your Businesses Value with Rudy Scarito, Founder of RS Finance | Episode 21

This week on Wealth Wisdom, we sit down with Rudy Scarito, founder of RS Finance & Consulting, a powerhouse in middle market M&A with a resume that includes Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, and decades of hard-earned experience helping founders close multi-million dollar deals.

But Rudy didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur—she was thrown into it after the 2008 financial crisis flipped her world upside down. What started as survival turned into a thriving boutique investment banking firm helping business owners navigate the most important financial decision of their lives.

In this episode, we get into: 💼 What “middle market” businesses actually are—and why they’re such a hot space
📉 How getting laid off in 2008 led Rudy to build something of her own
📈 The emotional and strategic side of selling your life’s work
⚙️ What you need to have in place before talking to buyers
🤝 What buyers truly care about (spoiler: it’s not always top-line revenue)
⏳ How to plan for your next chapter after the deal is done
👀 The red flags that can kill a deal—even at the finish line

If you’re a founder in your 50s or 60s thinking about your next move—or just want to build a business that’s worth something when the time comes—this episode is full of real talk, sharp advice, and lessons you won’t hear anywhere else.

 

Timestamps:

01:03 Career Beginnings at Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs

02:09 Transition to Boston and Tucker Anthony

03:56 Founding RS Finance and Consulting

04:10 Challenges During the Financial Crisis

05:05 Winning the First Client

06:32 Building RS Finance and Networking

12:57 Defining the Middle Market

17:17 Challenges in Mergers and Acquisitions

20:42 Focus on M&A Over Capital Raising

21:55 Balancing M&A and Financing Deals

22:53 Post-COVID Market Trends

23:34 Challenges for Business Owners

27:22 Impact of Interest Rates on Valuations

30:40 Generational Shifts in Business Ownership

33:26 Preparing a Business for Sale

41:48 Final Advice for Business Owners

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Wealth Wisdom aims to give you the insights and tools to navigate financial trends with confidence. Through conversations like these, we strive to make complex financial topics more accessible and actionable for everyone.

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DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, tax, or legal advice. Past performance of the market is not a guarantee of future results. Always consult with a financial professional before making investment decisions.

About Fox Hill Wealth Management

At Fox Hill Wealth Management, we believe wealth is about more than just money—it’s about financial freedom, confidence, and security. As a fee-only, fiduciary Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we provide unbiased, expert financial guidance with your best interests at heart.

We specialize in:
✅ Active Investment Management – Helping you grow and protect your wealth
✅ Comprehensive Financial Planning – A roadmap for your short- and long-term goals
✅ Tax Strategy & Estate Planning – Keeping more of what you earn while securing your legacy

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