Scrushy on Business

This week on Scrushy on Business , Richard Scrushy breaks down what investors actually look for when founders raise capital—especially in today's tighter 2026 environment. Richard explains the real-world meaning of traction (and why pilot customers and reference calls can make or break a raise), then goes deeper into the "behind-the-scenes" language VCs use: capital efficiency , runway , and the p...

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 p...

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" m...

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 profitabil...

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 trill...

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...

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 prof...

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...

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 execut...

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...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business , Richard Scrushy answers listener questions that came in after his conversation with Bill Manovich , the founder of Simple Scrub . Bill's story about identifying a simple problem and turning it into a successful product inspired a flood of questions from entrepreneurs who want to do the same — create a business that truly fits a need. Richard dives into how...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy sits down with Bill Manovich, the founder and inventor of Simple Scrub — the innovative cleaning tool that's changing how people clean their homes. Bill shares the story behind how he came up with the idea for Simple Scrub, how he turned a simple concept into a national brand, and what it was like to take the product to the Home Shopping Netw...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business , Richard Scrushy tackles some of the toughest questions from listeners about how to buy companies —from spotting the right opportunities to structuring deals that actually work in the real world. He also addresses issues tied to his former company, offering candid insights and lessons learned that every entrepreneur and business leader can take to heart. If...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard takes a step back to recap highlights from the past few weeks of guests before diving into some of your most pressing listener questions. He tackles three critical topics every entrepreneur and business leader needs to understand: Avoiding burnout and overextension — how to stay focused and not spread yourself too thin as an owner. Generational plann...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy sits down with Cody Nicholson, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helium. Cody partners with visionary entrepreneurs to help them build, buy, and sell their companies—and he's passionate about transforming groundbreaking ideas into thriving businesses. Cody shares his entrepreneurial journey, including: How he first got started in business Wh...

In this episode, Richard Scrushy sits down with entrepreneur  Lamont West for an inspiring conversation about the true power of business ownership. Lamont shares how being your own boss gives you control over your life, the importance of building businesses that last for the next generation , and how to create residual income that works for you long after the initial effort. If you've ever thought...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business , Richard Scrushy tackles some big topics making headlines: Recent news about Encompass Health Corporation — Richard shares his perspective as the company makes moves in today's healthcare and business landscape. Understanding Sarbanes-Oxley — a clear explanation of what the legislation is, why it was created, and how it continues to affect business leaders,...

This week on Scrushy on Business , Richard Scrushy sits down with serial entrepreneur Hunter Carr for an unfiltered conversation about building, scaling, and reinventing businesses across industries. Hunter shares the hard-earned lessons from his entrepreneurial journey—what it takes to spot opportunities, the mindset needed to overcome setbacks, and the strategies that have fueled his success tim...

In this episode, Richard Scrushy dives into some of the toughest crossroads entrepreneurs face. From deciding between building a services business or launching a product, to weighing the independence of a startup versus the structure of a franchise, Richard breaks down the real tradeoffs that shape long-term success. Listeners wrote in with powerful questions, including: How do you know when to st...

In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy breaks down one of the biggest make-or-break factors for any company: having the right financing in place. Whether you're launching a startup or scaling an existing business, securing the proper funding can mean the difference between success and struggle. Richard shares practical advice from his decades of experience leading multi-billion-do...

On this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy and Dave Greene dive into one of the most important keys to entrepreneurial success: having an idea that truly fills a need. We discuss the story of Bill Manovich, inventor of Simple Scrub—a clever cleaning tool that has taken the market by storm and even made its debut on the Home Shopping Network. We talk about the story behind the product,...

In this episode, former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy breaks down the real reason to start a business—and it's not just about making money. Scrushy shares why identifying a true need in the market is the first and most important step for any entrepreneur. He also reflects on how this mindset led him to break away and launch HealthSouth, one of the most successful healthcare companies in the U.S....

In the first episode of Scrushy on Business, you meet hosts Richard Scrushy and Dave Greene. Scrushy talks about growing up in Alabama, starting to work at age 12 and where his drive comes from. He discusses getting into the medical field and the beginnings of HealthSouth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices