Fortune Favors Those Who Burn the Boats: Patrick O’Connell | EP 162

What happens when a former investment banker burns the boats and builds his own path?

In this episode, Ross welcomes Patrick O’Connell — 2x founder, CPA, and financial due diligence expert — for a powerhouse conversation on entrepreneurship, M&A, and the personal transformation that comes from going all in.

Patrick shares how growing up in a family of seven, mowing lawns at age 8, and grinding through the corporate ladder led him to found O’Connell Advisory Group — a boutique financial diligence firm that’s helping hundreds of entrepreneurs buy small businesses with confidence.

You’ll learn:

• Why most business buyers dramatically underestimate the risk of small business acquisition
• How Patrick turned “make enough to pay the mortgage” into 50+ deals/year with solo buyers and capital groups alike
• The true power of financial diligence: not paperwork, but purchase price negotiation and protection from life-altering mistakes
• What it actually means to burn the boats — and why you don’t have to wait for permission to chart your own destiny
• Why presence — not net worth — might be the best legacy you can leave your family

Whether you’re an aspiring acquisition entrepreneur or a corporate professional eyeing your next big pivot, this conversation will give you both the financial lens and the personal courage to act.

Stick around for the end to hear Patrick’s answer to: "What’s the #1 way to impact your family?"

Connect with Patrick O’Connell

• Website: https://www.oconnelladvisorygroup.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-o-connell-3b235177/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Patrick_OConnell
• X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/SMBDealGuy
• Linktree: https://t.co/M3DcUUuX4D
• Email: [email protected]