Brad Ruth

Introduction

Brad Ruth is a seasoned business advisor, entrepreneur, and mergers & acquisitions professional with over 30 years of experience as a business owner and more than a decade of hands-on success in business sales, valuations, and exit planning.
Brad is the founder of Great Lakes Business Advisors, a boutique M&A and exit planning firm focused on guiding business owners through the complex and often emotional process of selling or transitioning their companies. Under his leadership, the firm has become known for its selective, high-integrity representation of businesses across sectors — including home services, construction, manufacturing, distribution, and B2B services.
Brad holds three of the most respected designations in the industry:
• Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), awarded by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
• Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), granted by the Exit Planning Institute
• Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (CM&AP), earned through studies through M&A Source at Kennesaw State University.
These credentials reinforce his reputation as a trusted advisor who combines real-world entrepreneurial experience with professional M&A training.
? Entrepreneurial Roots
Brad’s professional journey began not as a broker, but as a business owner. Over the course of his career, he built, owned, and successfully exited multiple companies, including two restaurants he founded, operated, and sold. These experiences gave him an insider’s understanding of what it takes to grow, manage, and eventually let go of a business — an emotional and financial journey he now helps others navigate.
His hands-on business ownership experience allows him to speak the same language as his clients, many of whom are hardworking, self-made business owners who have never sold a company before. He brings empathy, clarity, and professionalism to every engagement.
? M&A and Exit Planning Expertise
Brad has personally managed over 50 business sales and strategic exits, ranging in size and complexity. He is especially skilled in:
• Exit planning and readiness assessments
• Business valuation and value gap analysis
• Seller representation and deal negotiation
• Strategic buyer targeting and buyer screening
• Value acceleration planning for owners not yet ready to sell
As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®), Brad helps owners understand the three critical dimensions of exit: business readiness, financial readiness, and personal readiness. He guides clients through the value gap (what the business is worth vs. what they need to retire), the wealth gap (what they need in retirement vs. what they’ve accumulated), and how to address each.
He works closely with wealth managers, CPAs, attorneys, and operational consultants to deliver a team-based approach for business owners seeking a high-value, low-drama exit.
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? Education & Affiliations
Brad holds a B.S.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from Central Michigan University. He is an active member of:
• International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
• Northern Ohio Business Brokers Association (NOBBA)
• Exit Planning Institute
• M&A Source
• eXp Commercial
• National Machine Tool Association (NMTA)

He is a frequent speaker and panelist on topics such as exit planning, business readiness, and navigating the emotional side of selling a business.
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? Community Leadership
Outside of his professional work, Brad has served for over 27 years as a member and leader of the Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls, reflecting his deep commitment to ethical service and community impact.
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? Mission
Brad’s mission is simple:
To help business owners get clear on their value, build a plan, and exit with confidence — on their terms.
Whether you're a year away from selling or just starting to explore your options, Brad and his team at Great Lakes Business Advisors are here to be your strategic guide, from first valuation to final signature.