WHY CHOOSE US?

Which business broker should you choose in Palm Beach County? What are the most essential qualities you should look for in a business broker? These are critical questions to ask yourself, as they may mean the difference between success and failure when selling your business.

Martin Berliant, the principal owner and broker of Five Star Business Brokers has successfully sold business for nearly two decades in Palm Beach County, Florida. Martin has developed a deep level of knowledge and experience of selling businesses in virtually every industry and in all shapes and sizes. It is almost certain that Martin know your industry and even the ‘lingo’ used in your industry. Why? Because he has already listed and sold businesses (often multiple times) just like yours. Few other business brokers have the experience of evaluating, listing, and selling hundreds of businesses as has Martin in the South Florida market.

Unlike with some of the bigger business brokerage firms you’ll find in South Florida, prospective clients will only deal with Martin. Not with assistants or an ‘agent.’ Only with the principal broker and owner, always accessible via phone or email. Surprisingly, picking up the phone or promptly returning calls is rare in the business brokerage industry. Effectively communicating with clients and prospective buyers in a personalized and direct way is another quality that sets Five Star Business Brokers apart from the competition.

Pricing a business properly is probably the most overlooked aspect of the role of a business broker. Valuing a business requires analyzing a company’s financials, business operations, physical assets, future prospects, role of the owner, and competitive advantages. This must be carefully weighed and balanced against the valuation multiple afforded other similar businesses within the same industry. Martin has seen countless businesses listed by brokers as far too overpriced (with totally inaccurate or misleading advertised financials) and as far too underpriced. The best way for a business owner to gauge a business broker’s level of competence is simply by asking for a free business evaluation and seeing if the broker can justify the suggested asking price. If they can’t do so to the business owner after the evaluation, then chances are they won’t be able to do so to prospective buyers! Martin at Five Star Business Brokers can always justify a suggested asking price based on his knowledge and expertise.

Yet another unique trait that sets Martin at Five Star Business Brokers apart from the competition is his own business background and accounting knowledge. Being a business owner himself (before becoming a business broker) gave Martin insights and practical knowledge into how important confidentiality is for most business owners. As a previous business owner with a deep accounting background, Martin also knows how to look for ‘add-backs’ in a financial statement which helps show the true nature of a company’s profitability.  This helps maximize your purchase price since business valuations are predicated on the current level of purported profits (or adjusted owner benefit).

The ability to procure a buyer for the highest possible price through confidential advertising techniques is probably the most important reason for business owners to choose Five Star Business Brokers. Our global advertising campaigns and targeted outreach to industry-specific qualified buyers spares no expense. Moreover, Martin has extensive contacts and a lengthy background in targeting strategically qualified buyers in the private equity space for larger and more complex deals. Our ‘blind ads’ and marketing efforts attract overseas E-2 visa seekers, out of state investors, local entrepreneurs, and competitors seeking to expand. Our nation-wide network of qualified buyers goes back many years and contains thousands of prospects. Other business brokers do not have a similar network of buyers nor do they have the advertising reach and know-how of Five Star Business Brokers.

The ability to anticipate industry-specific issues that will help facilitate a successful closing is another overlooked trait when selecting the right business broker. For example, when selling most healthcare companies, it is vital to transition new ownership under ‘AHCA’ rules. When selling highly skilled trade businesses in construction-related businesses, it is crucial to know who serves as the ‘qualifier.’ When selling coin laundromats, it is essential to understand why utility bills are a good way (and usually the only way) for a buyer to gauge the business’s success. The list goes on as far as knowing what issues are essential in selling businesses within the salon, restaurant, landscape, franchise, retail, and service-oriented industry.

In short, only trust the sale of your business to a local and experienced business broker you can trust to confidentially sell your business for the best possible purchase price and terms.

Martin Berliant
Five Star Business Brokers
Principal Broker/Owner