In this episode of Amazing Authorities, host Mitch Carson sits down with Dave Bookbinder — valuation expert, consultant, author of three business books, and host of the global podcast Behind the Numbers. Dave breaks down why most business owners misunderstand what their companies are truly worth, the hidden pitfalls in valuation, and why deal structure can make or break a seller’s financial future.

Dave shares insights from his newest book, The Evaluation Toolbox, a practical guide designed to help business owners understand valuation drivers, avoid costly mistakes, and prepare long before they’re ready to sell. Through real examples—including his own experience selling an agency with 47% gross margins—Dave illustrates how earnouts, clawbacks, and poorly negotiated deal terms can shrink a seller’s payout dramatically, even when the valuation looks strong on paper.

You’ll also hear why valuation disagreements often stem from future projections rather than past performance, why AI tools fall short in valuation accuracy, and what business owners should expect from the market in the years ahead.

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In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why most business owners misunderstand valuation—and how to get it right

• The biggest mistakes sellers make when preparing to sell a business

• How earnouts and clawbacks can dramatically reduce your payout

• Why deal structure matters as much as the headline valuation

• How valuation disagreements happen and how experts resolve them

• Why AI cannot replace human judgment in business valuation

• The long-term outlook for business value despite short-term chaos

• How Dave’s global podcast helps business leaders make smarter financial decisions

Dave also shares insights on industry risks, why he avoids speculative markets like crypto and cannabis valuation, and how building diversified content (books, podcast, speaking) has helped him reach listeners in more than 100 countries.

Learn More About Dave Bookbinder:
Podcast: Behind the Numbers
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-numbers/id1233564887

Books:
The Evaluation Toolbox — https://a.co/d/xyz (replace with final link)
Other Books — https://www.davebookbinder.com

Website:
https://www.davebookbinder.com

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebookbinder

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