REPLAY: The Story That Sells Your Business with Charlie Stanton
From Defenders of Business Value by Ed Mysogland
March 25, 2026 · 37 min
About this episode
Charlie Stanton discusses how storytelling can enhance the understanding of a business's value in appraisals.
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…
People in this episode
Guest: Charlie Stanton
Topics covered
- business appraisal
- storytelling
- valuation
- buyer trust
Keywords
- valuation story
- appraisal outcomes
- transfer restrictions
- illiquidity
- regulatory appraisals
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Stanton Valuation Advisors
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