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
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June 24, 2026
EP 151: The “Money Map”: Driving Business Value and Scalability
We’re taking a short summer break in July and August to focus on some exciting news — Ed’s new book, Done Deal: Exit Without Regret. How to Prepare, Promote, and Protect the Sale of Your Business, launches on September 9. This is the ultimate guide for business owners who want a profitable, empowered exit without regret. Pre-orders are now open [Pre-order link: https://a.co/d/0imeCz3D] — we’d love your support! We’ll be back in September with fresh episodes. Thanks for being part of the Defen
150
June 17, 2026
EP 150: Bridging the Gap Between Military Service and Business Ownership
Navigating the business world requires immense grit, but knowing how to transition from a structured military playbook to a thriving business acquisition is where true enterprise value is unlocked. Courtney Zaugg is the founder of VentureVets and an economic development professional dedicated to building the infrastructure for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. She breaks down why veterans excel at buying existing businesses, the hidden operational power of military spouses, and the thr
June 10, 2026
REPLAY: Shift-N-Gears: From Stuck to Scalable with Acquisition Thinking with Della Kirkman
You don’t have to build your own business from scratch to be an entrepreneur. You can buy one instead. Della Kirkman, CPA and founder of Shift-N-Gears, is on a mission to help 10,000 women become business owners through acquisition. After starting as a waitress at Cracker Barrel, Della worked her way up to owning and selling her own accounting firm. Now, she’s teaching others how to achieve wealth, independence, and freedom by buying businesses that are already established and successful. In t
June 3, 2026
REPLAY: Inside the Broker’s Engine Room: George Wellmer on the Future of Business Sales
Most people think selling a business is just like selling a house. That’s where they’re wrong. , founder of , clarifies the misconceptions sellers have about brokers and the deal process. George explains how technology and AI are simplifying...
149
May 27, 2026
EP 149: How to Pick the Right SBA Lender Before You Buy a Business
Buying a business is exciting, but navigating the financing side without the right lender can cost you everything. Jared Johnson is an SBA lender and business acquisition specialist with nearly $900 million in closed deals. He breaks down what it takes to finance and close a business acquisition the right way. Learn why most buyers underestimate the importance of their lender choice and why taking on less leverage may be the smartest move you make. In this episode, you will: Learn why your SB
May 20, 2026
REPLAY: 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 Strategic Partnerships at Registered Social Security Analysts (RSSA), explains why 96% of Americans leave money on the table when they treat Social Security as an afterthought. Drawing from his client work, he discusses how self-employment tax, entity structure, and “reasonable com
May 13, 2026
REPLAY: How EOS Builds a More Sellable Business with Ashley Walters
Many business owners still feel trapped in the day-to-day because their companies rely too heavily on them. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) changes that by helping leadership teams build structure and accountability so businesses can run smoothly without the owner. Ashley Walters, Professional EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, explains how to align EOS with exit planning to build efficiency, long-term growth, and transferable value. She shares how she guides leadership teams through
148
May 6, 2026
EP 148: What 4 Exits Taught TK Herman About Business
Building a business is challenging, but truly understanding its value and how to maximize it is where many entrepreneurs fall short. TK Herman, entrepreneur, four-time exit veteran, and Curator at The Halcyon Forum, breaks down what it actually takes to build and sell a business at maximum value. Learn why most founders leave money on the table, what TK would do differently across his four exits, and why working on yourself may be the highest-return investment you make in your business. If you
147
April 29, 2026
EP 147: How to Earn the Preferred Buyer Status
Getting access to deals is one thing. Getting taken seriously is another. , Founder of , 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,...
April 22, 2026
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. , founder of , has built a reputation as one of the younger voices in the industry. He has helped...
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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.