Selling an Existing Play It Again Sports Franchise with Rick Bauman

How do you go from a conservative CPA career to owning the #1 hockey retail store in Washington—without ever having laced up a pair of skates?In this episode of Entrepreneurship Unlocked, host Seth Rudin is joined by Rick Bauman to pull back the curtain on a 35-year journey in the franchise world. Rick didn't just survive in retail; he dominated the "Play It Again Sports" system by leaning into adaptability, pioneering rental models, and knowing exactly when to exit at the top of his game.If you’ve ever wondered how to build a business that is "sellable" from day one, this conversation is your roadmap. Rick shares the raw, emotional reality of walking away from a legacy and the practical steps he took to ensure his financials were ready for a high-value broker exit.In this episode, we dive into:The CPA to Entrepreneur Pivot: Using analytical skills to build a retail empire.The Power of "Gut Feel": Why Rick tells younger entrepreneurs not to over-analyze in the age of the internet.The "Rental" Secret: How adding a rental and service arm transformed his store into a top-tier performer.Selling on Top: Why you should never wait for a "fire sale" to exit your business.The Identity Shift: What life really looks like the first year after selling a 30-year legacy.