Head-to-Head: One Buyer, One Small Business Valuation Expert, and Plenty of Relevant, Unscripted Questions

This week's episode is less an interview with a small business expert and more of a working session.

It features David C. Barnett, a small business valuation expert and head of Business Buyer Advantage, and Ken Lain, owner of Watters Garden Center, a successful plant nursery in Prescott, AZ.

David excels at advising those looking to acquire small businesses, while Ken is currently shopping to purchase other garden centers.

They make a perfect pairing: an experienced valuation adviser and a business owner actively looking to buy.

The questions that Ken asks and the answers that David gives prove invaluable to anyone thinking of buying — or selling — a company.

David and Ken have both been guests on Monday Morning Radio previously, but separately.

David's latest book is Business and Asset Values: How Owners, Buyers, Sellers, Lenders, and Advisors Should Think About Small Business and Equipment Value. 

Along with his wife, Lisa, Ken hosts the popular Mountain Gardener podcast.

[Mark your calendars for Friday, October 9th, when Monday Morning Radio co-host Maxwell Rotbart will sign copies of his latest anthology, All You Can Eat Business Wisdom: Second Helpings, at Watters Garden Center. For more information or to register for the free event, visit https://tinyurl.com/MMR-Watters]

Monday Morning Radio, now in its 15th season, is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart.

Photos: David C. Barnett and Ken Lain
Posted: September 28, 2026
Monday Morning Run Time: 56:42
Episode: 711