<p>Ryan Ray joins Kurtis Hanni to share his journey through one of the worst storms a business can face: selling a family oil and gas surveying company during the catastrophic March 2020 price collapse and COVID-19 shutdown. Ryan walked into March 2020 with international deals lined up, a diversified strategy in place, and a business that finally didn't require him day-to-day. Within two weeks, every lever he'd built was gone—China deals canceled, oil prices cratering to sub-$10, and projects being pulled left and right. What followed was a masterclass in clarity under pressure: knowing when to shut down, how to use PPP strategically, and ultimately how to exit to his own team. Ryan breaks down the emotional weight of laying off employees, the practicality of owner dependency as the ultimate business lever, and why understanding "the game you're playing" is more valuable than any 10-year plan.</p>