Defenders of Business Value

Overview

Episodes

Details

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.

Recent Episodes

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 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 compensation" influence Social Security benefits. Thomas also walks through how RSSA's analysis helps owners save thousands of dollars a year in taxes, protect future benefits, and make Social Security a strategic part of their exit plan so it isn't ignored.

In this episode, you will:

Understand why every owner should check their SSA earnings record and run an independent analysis before selling
Learn what younger owners should do now to avoid losing benefits later
See how RSSA analysis ties Social Security into your full exit and retirement plan

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Thomas Drapala

(01:42) The shocking statistics on Social Security optimization

(03:32) Understanding Social Security rules and benefits

(05:49) Strategies for business owners to maximize Social Security

(13:37) Case study: The bagel store owner's Social Security optimization

(16:52) When it makes sense to bring in a Social Security expert

(24:12) How a full Social Security review is done

Follow Thomas:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-drapala-rssa%C2%AE-878611207/

Email: [email protected]

Learn more about Registered Social Security Analysts: https://rssa.com/

Follow Ed:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

32 MIN

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 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 succession challenges rural business owners face.

Dane and Joe discuss rural valuation gaps, personal goodwill risk, and how owners can prepare before value slips. If you are an owner in a small community or someone who advises one, this episode offers a clear look at how rural businesses can transition successfully.

In this episode, you will:

Learn how rural businesses can stay locally owned instead of closing or relocating
Understand why rural buyers take a different view of growth and risk compared to urban buyers
See how sellers can make their businesses more attractive to mission-driven buyers

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Dane Chapman and Joe Rust

(02:28) The origin story of SPARK Capital

(06:11) Why rural owners struggle to sell their companies

(11:04) The role of local advisors, operators, and community partners

(17:02) How SPARK Capital approaches valuation and risk

(28:13) How owners can prepare for succession

(33:54) Community-based capital may shape the future of rural business

(35:53) Mindset shifts for a more saleable business

Resources:

For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/

Follow Dane:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danechapman/

Follow Joe:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joerust/

Learn more about SPARK Capital: https://sparkcapitalin.com/

Follow Ed:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

38 MIN

NOV 26, 2025

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

Entrepreneurship isn't just for adults, and Hunter Beale is proof that it's never too early to start.

Hunter is the Executive Director of High School Hustle, a fast-growing movement that helps students across Indiana build real businesses and learn through hands-on experience. In just one year, the program has grown from 17 to over 2,000 students, generating nearly $1 million in revenue. What began as a handful of high schoolers mowing lawns and washing cars has turned into a statewide mission to awaken the next generation of entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Hunter shares how he helps students find purpose, earn income, and gain confidence through small business ownership.

In this episode, you will:

Learn how High School Hustle is helping students build real businesses
Hear how mentorship and incentives keep young entrepreneurs accountable
Understand how failure builds confidence and leadership at an early age

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Hunter Beale

(06:13) Finding purpose in mentoring

(10:25) How High School Hustle turns students into real business owners

(17:47) Hands-on learning for young entrepreneurs

(21:21) The role of parents and communities

(25:44) Life lessons and improved confidence from doing business

(30:42) Expanding High School Hustle beyond Indiana

Resources:

For past guests, please visit https://www.defendersofbusinessvalue.com/

Follow Hunter:

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterjbeale/

Learn more about High School Hustle: https://highschoolhustle.org/

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

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 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: [email protected]

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

36 MIN

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 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 business value.

In this episode, Alyssa shares why franchise businesses often sell faster and at higher prices than independents, and how early planning can help owners achieve better outcomes when it's time to sell.