Turn One Studio: Long Island Business & Leadership Podcast · Eliud Custodio

Todd Ringler on Business Valuation, TAB Peer Boards, and Building a Business That Runs Without You | Turn One Studio Podcast

February 11, 2026·25 min·2 clips

Todd Ringler explains why businesses lose value when owners can't let go of control.

Todd Ringler, a CPA and Certified Valuation Analyst, joins host Elliot Custodio to discuss his multifaceted advisory roles. Ringler operates Calm Waters for business valuation and serves as a facilitator for The Alternative Board (TAB), an international peer advisory franchise. He describes his work through three lenses: valuator, educator, and navigator for business owners. Ringler has conducted over a thousand valuations across 170 industries during his 28-year career. He explains that TAB provides a structured platform combining monthly peer board meetings with one-on-one coaching for accountability and strategic planning. A key problem he identifies is business owners becoming trapped working *in* their business rather than *on* it, which diminishes the company's value. He states the objective for many should be to "pay a million dollars a year in tax because you're making a lot of money," which requires relinquishing control. Ringler shares that his typical TAB board members have at least five employees, indicating a base level of operational maturity. He notes a generational shift, observing that younger professionals in fields like law and accounting often resist the extreme hours older generations worked. He argues the current trend of reduced work hours is unsustainable for small to mid-sized businesses unless accountability and clear key performance indicators are enforced. A memorable analogy he offers is, "How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the light bulb has to want to change." He reveals his own career pivot from being a restaurateur and chef to an accountant, choosing "taxes over debt." Ringler is a cancer survivor who prioritizes life balance, with passions including surfing, rowing, and skydiving. He references business author Gino Wickman's concept of "letting go of the vine" to force effective delegation. A powerful story he mentions is hearing from Valerie Collins, the last passenger off Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, about the imperative to "live your life every day." The episode maintains a conversational and advisory tone, blending personal anecdotes with practical business frameworks. It is educational, focusing on operational principles and mindset shifts rather than deep technical analysis. Business owners and leaders feeling stuck or seeking to increase their company's value would find this episode highly relevant. Listeners looking for industry-specific financial tactics or a highly structured debate format might find it too broad or philosophical.

As heard by us

Business valuation, delegation, and the point where growth no longer fits the goal.

Todd Ringler keeps the conversation useful by linking valuation, accountability, and strategy to the everyday work of running a business. He moves from what a business and its machinery and equipment are worth to the harder task of lifting value through delegation, planning, and…

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Why you'd press play

Hear how business value, delegation, and deciding when the next jump is worth the cost.

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