Defenders of Business Value

The Defenders of Business Value Podcast combines over 30 years of business 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.

Recent

Jan. 7, 2026

EP 138: Inside the Mind of a Buyer: What Makes or Breaks a Deal with Ted Leverette

A successful corporate executive leaves his high-paying job to buy a business, only to face a disaster leading to lawsuits and financial turmoil. That painful experience taught Ted Leverette valuable lessons and set him on th...

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Dec. 31, 2025

REPLAY: The Late-Stage Entrepreneur: Gary Hentschel on Lessons on Risk, Value, and Second Acts

Most buyers slow down in their sixties. But not . He’s out buying companies, doubling their value, and selling them again. As a partner at and CEO at , Gary brings decades of experience as a banker, entrepreneur, and operator. In this...

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Dec. 24, 2025

REPLAY: How Circle City Capital Group Turns Overlooked Businesses Into Thriving Investments

What really makes a business attractive to buyers? Buyers weigh more than just financials. They consider risk, operations, and whether the business can run without you. Colin King and Joe Van Deman , Principals at Circle City...

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Dec. 17, 2025

EP 137: The Hidden Challenges Latino Entrepreneurs Face When Selling a Business with Rudy Bustamante

Latino-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy, yet many owners still struggle when it’s time to sell or transition. Gaps in financial records, limited access to the right advisors, and th...

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Dec. 10, 2025

EP 136: The Retirement Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight with Thomas Drapala

Owners fixate on the purchase price of their exit, but the bigger loss to long-term income can come from how Social Security is handled. Get it wrong, and you can quietly lose six figures. Thomas Drapala , Director of Strateg...

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Dec. 3, 2025

EP 135: Small Town, Big Opportunity: How to Exit in Overlooked Rural Markets

The majority of deal conversations focus on big cities and private equity groups, but small towns have businesses too. Many of these companies are facing transition challenges because the buyers and advisors they need aren’t ...

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Nov. 26, 2025

EP 134: How Small Hustles Create Big Outcomes with Hunter Beale

Entrepreneurship isn’t just for adults, and is proof that it’s never too early to start. Hunter is the Executive Director of , a fast-growing movement that helps students across Indiana build real businesses and learn through hands-on experience....

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Nov. 19, 2025

EP 133: 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 ...

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Nov. 12, 2025

EP 132: Why Franchises Sell (and Independents Don’t): Lessons from Inside Neighborly

More entrepreneurs are turning to franchises, and it’s easy to see why. With proven systems, recognizable brands, and built-in support, franchises make both ownership and resale less risky. Alyssa Hernandez , Vice President o...

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Nov. 5, 2025

EP 131: 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 navi...

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About the Host

Ed Mysogland

For the last 31 years, Ed has dedicated his career to serving small business owners. He is the managing partner of one of the Midwest's largest and most successful business brokerages, having completed over 2,200 deals. He is a certified business appraiser specializing in market pricing for maximum value as well as designated in equipment appraisal. Finally, he is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Certified Value Builder to aid in presale exit services.