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 this episode, Della shares her insights on risk, funding, and deal sourcing and explains why acquisition entrepreneurship is one of the most underutilized paths to financial freedom, especially for women.

In this episode, you will:

• How to scale and grow an acquired business

• Insights on sourcing deals and funding for acquisitions

• Why every business needs to go digital

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Della Kirkman

(02:36) Why women are still behind in financial independence

(05:43) The realities of buying a business

(09:42) What buyers get wrong about acquisitions

(11:17) Building an opportunity fund

(14:21) Sourcing the right kind of deals

(18:24) How to stand out to brokers and dealmakers

(23:06) Inside Della's business buying bootcamp

(28:51) Challenges in advising business buyers

(34:18) Why every business needs a digital component

Resources:

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

Follow Della:

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

Vote for Della at the 2025 Harbour Club M&A Awards: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd5soMcyzgR8tzBqEil-2-JPk-GPfMp-W5bmvKqFSkL7uvkxg/viewform

Learn more about Della's company:

Shift-N-Gears: https://www.shift-n-gears.com/

Follow Ed:

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

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

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

Most people think selling a business is just like selling a house. That's where they're wrong.

George Wellmer, founder of Tupelo, clarifies the misconceptions sellers have about brokers and the deal process. George explains how technology and AI are simplifying administrative tasks, allowing brokers to focus on guiding clients through the most important transaction of their lives. He also shares what sellers and owners need to understand about valuation and finding the right buyer before listing their company for sale.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn the difference between good and bad brokers

• Understand how deal acceleration and buyer targeting really work

• Hear how AI and automation are changing the way businesses are marketed and sold

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet George Wellmer

(05:20) How business brokers help close deals

(09:43) Vetting the quality of potential buyers

(11:45) Keeping up with the different aspects of a brokerage

(15:53) Buy-side brokers vs sell-side brokers

(22:22) How AI enables brokers to be more efficient

(26:36) Questions to ask to avoid bad brokers

(32:36) Why hiring a broker is worth it

(38:20) George's advice for buyers, sellers, and advisors

Resources:

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

Follow George:

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

Website: https://www.tupelosmb.com/

E-Mail: [email protected]

Follow Ed:

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

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

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

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 SBA lender choice can make or break your deal

• Discover the hidden trap of debt purgatory that most buyers fall into

• Understand why the quality of earnings upfront changes everything

Highlights: (00:00) Meet Jared Johnson

(04:25) Building a team and managing high deal volume

(06:30) Why choosing the wrong lender kills your deal

(11:05) The evolution of the business buyer landscape

(18:30) How brokers misrepresent financials and what to do

(22:50) Why quality of earnings should be done upfront

(28:57) Debt purgatory and the hidden risk of 90% leverage

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

Follow Jared Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredwjohnson/

Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

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

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 tough structure conversations, puts the right people in the right seats, and helps owners build companies that run independently.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand the difference between business value and transferable value

• Learn how to identify your business priorities within a 90-day frame

• Hear why buyers prefer businesses running on EOS

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Ashley Walters

(03:05) How EOS and exit planning work together to grow value

(05:50) The structure-first, people-second approach

(10:15) What a company running on EOS looks like to a buyer

(12:40) The rocks system: setting priorities that move the needle

(16:28) Why EOS reveals owner dependence and how to fix it

(21:16) Where AI fits in EOS

(23:59) The EOS implementation process

(29:54) EOS increases the rates of a successful exit

(31:39) Why an operating system is always beneficial

Resources:

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

Follow Ashley:

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

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://accelerateadvising.com/

Learn more about EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/

Follow Ed:

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

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

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

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're building to sell, this is a look at what separates the deals that close well from the ones that don't.

In this episode, you will:

• Hear valuable lessons from multiple business exits

• Find out how head trash is an entrepreneur's biggest constraint

• Understand how culture and people directly impact value

Highlights: (00:00) Meet TK Herman

(02:00) Getting fired and discovering entrepreneurship

(08:27) Breaking down TK's four exits

(14:47) Losing $2.3M on a pickleball business

(18:09) Why sellers leave money on the table

(22:39) When companies outgrow their people

(27:41) The business owner sets the ceiling for the company

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

Follow TK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkherman/

Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders

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

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

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

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: [email protected]

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

Picture this: You're a business owner ready to sell your company. Your focus starts to shift from running the business to managing the deal. Soon, your numbers start to dip. The buyer notices and begins to question the value of your business.

In this episode, Ed Mysogland breaks down the concept of the "Deal Distraction Tax. Whether you're in the middle of a deal or preparing to sell in the future, Ed shares crucial strategies for protecting your business value during this critical time.

In this episode, you will:

• Find out how distractions during a sale can lead to a decline in business value

• Understand why owner-centric businesses are at higher risk during the deal process

• Learn strategies for safeguarding your business's performance throughout the sale process

Highlights: (00:00) Introducing the deal distraction tax

(05:38) Price adjustments and deal retrades

(07:28) How to protect your value during a deal

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

Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defendersofbusinessvalue/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bvdefenders