Defenders of Business Value

Ed Mysogland

The Defenders of Business Value Podcast combines over 30 years of valuation and exit planning expertise working with business owners. Ed Mysogland has a mission and vision to help business owners understand the value of their business. Most of the small business owner's net worth is locked in the company, and to unlock it, a business owner has to sell it. Unfortunately, the odds are against business owners that they won't be able to sell their companies because they don't know what creates a saleable asset. Ed interviews experts who help business owners prepare, build, preserve, and one-day transfer value with the sale of the business.

  1. 1D AGO

    EP 147: How to Earn the Preferred Buyer Status

    Getting access to deals is one thing. Getting taken seriously is another. George Wellmer, Founder of Tupelo SMB, shares what it takes to get noticed by brokers and win deals. With hundreds of buyers competing for the same opportunities, the process has shifted. Systems, speed, and credibility now determine who moves forward and who gets ignored. Learn how preferred buyer status works, why most buyers fall short, and how technology is reshaping the way deals are sourced, screened, and closed. If you're serious about buying a business, this is a look at how the process works behind the scenes. In this episode, you will: Hear what helps buyers rise above the noise in competitive deals Find out how brokers decide which buyers move forward  See how AI is changing buyer screening and deal flow Highlights: (00:00) Meet George Wellmer (02:32) What the preferred buyer status means (06:18) How SMB deal processes work (08:56) Challenges working with smaller broker shops (17:53) How AI is changing buyer screening (22:20) Fast-tracking serious buyers in a crowded process (27:16) Why brokers spend most of their time vetting buyers (28:52) What helps buyers stand out to brokers (31:16) How to handle your first meeting with a business owner   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/   Follow George: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgewellmer/  Learn more about Tupelo SMB: http://tupelosmb.com/    Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    40 min
  2. APR 22

    REPLAY: The Next Generation of M&A: Trust, Tech, and the Human Side of Exits

    Most professionals in the M&A space have been closing deals for decades. But being young doesn't mean you can't bring value to the table. Morgan Tate, founder of Breakwater M&A, has built a reputation as one of the younger voices in the industry. He has helped facilitate over $250 million worth of deals and is now using automation to make the process faster and more efficient. From the lessons learned in those transactions, he created the Breakwater Blueprint to keep deals from falling apart. Morgan offers a glimpse at the future of exits, where human connection and technology go hand in hand.   In this episode, you will: Hear how younger advisors are closing more transactions Learn how AI is speeding up the deal process Understand why advisory fees are declining and how brokers can protect their value   Highlights: (00:00) Meet Morgan Tate (02:36) The Breakwater Blueprint (04:29) Earning trust as a younger advisor (10:42) Will AI lower advisory fees for business owners? (15:47) Let AI be your junior broker  (19:06) Where human judgment matters most in business sales (21:30) The future of M&A (26:18) AI can solve this mistake that hurts deals   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/   Follow Morgan: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgantate  Learn more about Morgan's company: Breakwater M&A: https://www.breakwatermna.com   Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    33 min
  3. APR 15

    EP 146: How to Overcome the Loneliness of Running a Small Business with Jared Luegers and Kevin King

    Owning a business can feel isolating. Entrepreneurs face daily challenges and tough decisions without others who truly understand their experience. A strong support network makes it easier to create long-term success and prepare for a smooth exit. In this episode, Jared Luegers and Kevin King, co-founders of OWN Indiana, share how they're helping business owners in Indiana create a supportive community and build lasting business value. They discuss the importance of overcoming the loneliness of entrepreneurship, the power of connecting with other operators, and how small businesses can leverage tools like AI to thrive.   In this episode, you will: Learn how building a community of operators can support business growth Gain insights into the challenges of creating long-term business value Understand how leveraging AI can help small businesses become more efficient   Highlights: (00:00) Meet Jared Luegers & Kevin King (02:41) What is OWN Indiana? (06:34) The 600,000 small businesses at stake in Indiana (17:37) Why business owners don't think strategically (23:49) The loneliness of ownership  (32:08) What to expect at an OWN Indiana event (45:32) How AI will save small businesses in America (55:40) OWN Indiana's vision for the next 10 years (42:47) One piece of advice to increase business value   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/   Follow Jared Luegers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredluegers/ Follow Kevin King: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-king-tn/  Learn more about OWN Indiana: https://ownindiana.org/    Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    45 min
  4. APR 8

    REPLAY: No One-Size-Fits-All: Amy Wirtz on Succession Without the Drama

    Managing a business is tough enough on its own. But add family dynamics in the mix, and things get even more challenging. As a strategic advisor at The Family Business Consulting Group, Amy Wirtz shares her expertise on navigating ownership transitions in multigenerational families. Amy discusses the challenges of balancing family relationships with business goals, offering insights on how to manage both for a successful transition. She also shares tips to help prepare the next generation for leadership to ensure that both the business legacy and family harmony are preserved. In this episode, you will: Learn how to create a clear succession plan  Discover strategies for managing conflict within the family Understand how generational wealth planning works   Highlights: (00:00) Meet Amy Wirtz (02:57) The responsibilities of an exit planner (07:00) From family law to family business advising (12:55) Parallel planning for families and businesses (16:22) Family ownership dynamics (19:34) How next generations "pay" for family business transfers (22:19) Navigating complex family communication (26:29) The biggest problem in ownership transitions (29:33) What family businesses teach about legacy and long-term thinking   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/   Follow Amy: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywirtzcepa/  Email: wirtz@thefbcg.com  Learn more about The Family Business Consulting Group: https://www.thefbcg.com/    Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    35 min
  5. MAR 25

    REPLAY: The Story That Sells Your Business with Charlie Stanton

    In a business appraisal, the numbers will always matter — but how they're communicated can have just as much impact on value. Charlie Stanton, CFA and founder of Stanton Valuation Advisors, believes every valuation tells a story. Drawing from his work in estate planning, litigation, and succession, he explains how storytelling can transform the way a business's worth is understood. This episode explores the eight elements every appraisal story should include, why owning your narrative builds buyer trust, and how a clear, consistent story can make your business more saleable. In this episode, you will: Learn how to communicate risks without hurting your valuation Understand the impact of transfer restrictions and illiquidity on appraisal outcomes Understand why regulatory appraisals differ from deal-market valuations   Highlights: (00:00) Meet Charlie Stanton (03:01) Why every valuation is really a story (09:31) Building trust with a transparent narrative  (14:52) Valuation for different purposes (17:14) Fair market value vs. market value explained (21:00) Understanding control and marketability discounts (27:44) The difference between appraisers and deal advisors (33:22) Advice for owners who want to increase business value   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/   Follow Charlie: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-stanton-cfa-b8172591/  Email: charlie@stantonvalue.com  Learn more about Stanton Valuation Advisors: https://stantonvalue.com/    Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    37 min
  6. MAR 18

    EP 144:  Indiana Business Investor Edition

    One of the best things about running my own podcast is the freedom to experiment. Over the years, I've been first on a few things — building our original website from scratch, launching our first newsletter, and starting the podcast. Today, I'm trying something new again. I loaded several of our current business teasers into AI, and it generated a podcast episode around them. But here's what makes this more than a novelty: in the show notes, you'll find a direct link to the full business profile and NDA. Why does that matter? Buyers tell me constantly that they hear about good opportunities too late. This format fixes that. The same listing hits the web, the email, and now the podcast — all at once, all with a clear path to learn more. If this is a format you'd like to see continue, let me know.   Highlights: (00:00) Welcome to The Defenders of Business Value (02:17) Central Indiana Commercial Electrical (05:27) Dental Equipment Service (05:51) Remotely Operated Publishing Franchise (08:19) Multi-location Market and Restaurant (10:02) Established Plumbing and HVAC Solutions (11:24) Freestanding Retail Center (13:22) Boutique Fitness Franchise (15:00) Relocatable Pest Management Franchise (16:45) Two Warehousing Fulfillment & Logistics Companies (18:49) Well-established Prototyping Company (19:30) Well-established Sub and Pizza Shop   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/ Learn more about Central Indiana Commercial Electrical: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/commercial-electrical-contractor/    Learn more about Dental Equipment Service: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/dental-equipment-service-business/   Learn more about the Remotely Operated Publishing Franchise: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/established-and-remotely-operated-publishing-franchise/   Learn more about the Multi-location Market and Restaurant: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/established-multi-location-market-restaurant/    Learn more about the Established Plumbing and HVAC Solutions: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/established-plumbing-and-hvac-solutions-provider/    Learn more about Freestanding Retail Center: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/retail-center-with-two-franchises/   Learn more about Boutique Fitness Franchise: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/premium-boutique-fitness-franchise/    Learn more about Relocatable Pest Management Franchise: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/relocatable-pest-management-franchise/    Learn more about Two Warehousing Fulfillment Logistics Companies: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/two-warehousing-fulfillment-and-logistics-companies/    Learn more about the Well-established Prototyping Company: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/well-established-prototyping-company/    Learn more about Well-established Sub and Pizza Shop: https://indianabusinessadvisors.com/acadp_listings/well-established-sub-and-pizza-shop/    Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    22 min
  7. MAR 11

    EP 143: Women Entrepreneurs Breaking the Mold with Gabrielle Rubenstein

    Many people think that once you buy a business, you're set for life. But the reality is, there's a lot of hard work that comes before you can reap the rewards. In this episode, Gabrielle Rubenstein takes us through her first year as an entrepreneur after acquiring Ace-Pak Products in 2024. From navigating the challenges of scaling to overcoming the growing pains that come with ownership, she shares the lessons learned, the surprises along the way, and how she's turned her acquisition into a thriving, growing business. Tune in for an honest conversation about the ups, downs, and everything in between in that crucial first year after buying a business.   In this episode, you will: Learn how to evaluate acquisition risk using worst-case scenario analysis Understand how SBA leverage can amplify returns and risk Discover why systems and clean financials drive business value   Highlights: (00:00) Meet Gabrielle Rubenstein (03:42) Women navigating entrepreneurship (10:59) Financial sensitivity and customer concentration (14:56) SBA leverage and return expectations (19:53) Moving from Sage to QuickBooks (23:37) Competing with industry giants (25:39) Credit apps and transition mistakes (28:08) Using advisors for smoother integration (29:27) Growth strategy and ideal customer profile (32:49) Systems, SOPs, and clean financials   Resources: For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/   Follow Gabrielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-rubenstein/ Learn more about Ace-Pak Products: https://ace-pak.com/ Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

    35 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Defenders of Business Value Podcast combines over 30 years of valuation and exit planning expertise working with business owners. Ed Mysogland has a mission and vision to help business owners understand the value of their business. Most of the small business owner's net worth is locked in the company, and to unlock it, a business owner has to sell it. Unfortunately, the odds are against business owners that they won't be able to sell their companies because they don't know what creates a saleable asset. Ed interviews experts who help business owners prepare, build, preserve, and one-day transfer value with the sale of the business.

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