Episodes

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...

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 there. This is what Dane Chapman and Joe Rust of SPARK Capital are working to solve. They are building a model designed to keep legacy businesses in their communities by collaborating with local partners and committed operators. Their work brings needed attention to the suc...

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....

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 b...

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 of Franchise Resales at Neighborly, leads the team that manages transitions across 19 brands and nearly 10,000 franchise owners. Her team helps owners exit smoothly while guiding new entrepreneurs into established operations — all while protecting brand consistency and busine...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

Most owners think selling a business is only about numbers, but knows it’s more complicated than that. Known as the “Seller Whisperer,” Denise has helped hundreds of sellers navigate the complex emotions that can affect deals. It’s not...

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...

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...

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 Capital Group, Inc., know this firsthand. They’ve built a portfolio of 15 companies by acquiring businesses that many others have overlooked. Colin, a CPA and CFA, and Joe, a former Google employee, bring complementary skills for buying and growing companies. Their perspect...

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...

Selling your business doesn’t always deliver the financial security or fulfillment you expect. So what if there was another option? Jim Muehlhausen, founder of Half-Retire, has worked with thousands of owners facing this exact dilemma. In this episode, he shares how business owners can step back from day-to-day operations without giving up income, legacy, or control—and why it’s a viable exit option. In this episode, you will: Learn the core principles of half-retirement Understand how to de...

For years, we’ve been told that retiring business owners would flood the market with companies for sale. The truth is that most of them are holding on longer and for good reason. In this episode, Ed Mysogland shares market data that explains why owners are staying put. He explains the investment math influencing their choices and the costly mistakes made when they stop reinvesting in their business. Ed has advice for buyers, sellers, and advisors who are keen to preserve business value in a slo...

In this episode, Ed Mysogland shares key insights from the latest quarterly Deal Stats report on business valuation trends. He discusses how EBITDA multiples have returned to typical levels after fluctuating during the pandemic. Ed also analyzes...

Join Ed Mysogland in a deep dive into the world of online business valuation calculators. Unravel the complexities and limitations of these tools as Mysogland discusses the challenges of applying market data to private companies and highlights the...

One of the primary reasons businesses don't sell is that the business owner is the person with all of the sales relationships. Most buyers have to reduce the value or offer a risk-mitigated structure to get comfortable with the existing owner's role...

I regularly get asked about how best to prepare a company for sale. The first challenge is time. Most business owners understate how long it takes to get out. The second is what this episode is about - what little things can you do to make your...

Exiting a business is a pivotal moment filled with complex emotional and financial decisions. This podcast episode dives into a structured 5-step plan to ensure a successful and fulfilling exit. We explore the significance of understanding your...

The "Telescopic Observation" provides an insightful overview of a strategic framework designed to enhance the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis by offering a more structured approach to examining an organization's internal...

In this fresh episode, we explore the Q4 2023 DealStats Value Index, providing a detailed analysis of current business valuation trends. Notably, we've spotted a significant shift: EBITDA multiples are moving towards a normalized figure, landing at...

In my 30-year journey through the world of deal-making, I’ve had the pleasure of conducting thousands of business valuations and working alongside some of the most talented appraisers across the United States. In this podcast episode, we’re diving...

In this episode, we join Ed Mysogland as he explores the crucial aspects of Confidential Information Memorandums (CIMs) in the context of M&A transactions. Ed illuminates their essential role in the smooth execution of business sales. The episode...