Confidential Business Sale, Inc. uses a TEAM approach to selling your business. Our team of professionals have received extensive training in handling business transactions. In addition, our team has business ownership experience, education credentials, and transaction know-how that cannot be matched. We understand what it means to be a small business owner and the issues that you face on a day-to-day basis.
Our Team (Click on the name to read the profile):
Selling your business is best handled by a professional business brokerage firm. Business brokers will provide you confidentiality and security and will market your business without current employees, customers, or competitors being aware that the business is for sale. All inquiries and meetings regarding the sale of your business are confidential and when convenient for you. Prior to the exchange of your company's private information, prospective buyers are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. This agreement binds the prospective buyer from disclosing any and all proprietary information on the operations of your business.
Utilizing a business broker's services can speed up the selling process and save you the hassle in dealing with the complexity of a business sale. The firm should use a variety of tools and technologies to market your business. Established relationships with SBA lenders and financial institutions making the sale of the business possible are essential. Expertise is invaluable in negotiating an agreement that works for you. Business brokers should be able to provide a list of types of business that they have sold giving you comfort that they will be able to handle your industry..
Not All Are Equal…
Selecting the right business brokerage firm may be the difference between just listing your business and selling your business. We know that real estate brokers may be willing to sell a business for a less percentage than us. We also know that there are people that call themselves “business brokers” that may also agree to sell your business for a lower commission. However, not all business brokerage firms are equal. Maximizing your return and getting the job done is what you as a business seller are looking for. If these are able to be achieved along with us making our fee, isn’t that worth the expense?
Sometimes business owners trip over dollars trying to pick up pennies. Selling your business is a once in a lifetime event. Studies show that 90% of an owner's personal wealth is in their business. Making sure the job is given to the right firm is important. Experience in selling a business is important.
A business broker having completed numerous transactions has seen the good, bad, and ugly. They know how to handle the emotional roller coaster of buyers and sellers along with being able to go toe-to-toe with opposing accountants and attorneys during negotiations. They have the experience to manage last minute issues that pop-up that could become potential deal killers. They are deal makers working with all of the other business advisors such as attorneys, accountants, lenders, to make sure that everything comes together to complete the business sale.
Confidentiality is a major concern for business owners. Not all intermediaries treat confidentiality the same. Some business brokerages have strict policies and others will do anything to make the sale, which may mean telling everyone they can that a business is for sale just to make the sale. Some business brokers don't effectively screen buyers and show the business information to any anyone without knowing if they have the financial means to buy the business. Good business brokerage firms will screen buyers by asking important questions in regards to the buyer’s background as well as their net worth and liquid funds to see if they are a good fit with the business and the owner.
You want to make sure that the business brokerage firm has a Certified Business Intermediary on staff. These professionals are skilled business intermediaries because they have received education, passed an examination, and have been in the business for at least three years.
Experience is not a commodity. It cannot be shopped for price. In the case of selling a business, the return on investment of using the right business brokerage firm can easily be worth millions.
Our Business Brokerage Team
Chuck Brown
Chuck Brown is the holder and inventor of United States Patent # 6,390,916 pertaining to the Charitable Gambling & State Lottery Industry. Mr. Brown has designed and sold over 50 exclusive products and has owned and operated a successful distributorship since 1999 with sales exceeding $5,000,000.
In May 2004 Mr. Brown signed a license contract with a national distributorship to exclusively use his products. This distribution company has annual sales of $60,000,000. He was also retained by the company as a consultant in patent litigation, infringement and licensing.
Mr. Brown attended West Side Institute of Technology for an Associates Degree and Stationary Engineers License in the Heat and Steam Industry and then worked for the Catholic Diocese as a Maintenance Director for 4 years.
Mr. Brown is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA).
Steve Kandt
Steve was a business owner/operator for 22 years, having founded a computer software development and consulting services company in 1982. The company's market for its products and services was primarily Fortune 500 companies and organizations with more than 1,000 employees, so he has a great deal of experience operating in a large corporate environment, while managing a small business. Steve worked in many capacities in the company, including serving as President/CEO of the company for eight years. Along the way, the company acquired two other companies to meet the strategic objectives of the business. The company eventually reached $6 million in sales and was sold in 2004. In addition to his professional duties, Steve has bought, sold and managed real estate properties for more than 25 years. Steve earned a B.S. in Systems Engineering from Michigan State University and lives in Washtenaw County.
Kipp Krukowski
Kipp Krukowski is the owner of Confidential Business Sale, Inc. and has been involved in the successful transfer of over 70 businesses. Mr. Krukowski holds the designations of Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and received the Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser from NEBB Institute after fulfilling the required years of field experience, completing extensive coursework, and passing the examinations. He has grown the business through expansion and acquisition to three offices in three cities in Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Through demonstration of in-depth knowledge and success in manufacturing transactions, the Business Brokerage Press has recognized Mr. Krukowski as an industry expert.
Mr. Krukowski holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Carnegie Mellon University with concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Production and Operations Management, and Management of Information Systems. While attending Carnegie Mellon University, the school was prestigiously ranked the #2 business graduate school in the world by the Wall Street Journal. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from Youngstown State University where he was honored as the School of Engineering's "Man of the Year".
Prior to his career in business brokerage, Mr. Krukowski held various strategic and management positions at General Motors and Delphi Corporation. His background includes a wide range of commercial and operational assignments. He was responsible for managing the purchase of $82 million of automotive components annually while in Global Purchasing. While in Global Purchasing, Mr. Krukowski was nominated as the Minority Supplier Development Buyer of the Year and for the Global Excellence Award for sourcing strategies which led to significant procurement savings. As a Quality Engineer, he managed the quality assurance of $190 million of purchased components annually. He performed quality systems audits to assure compliance with ISO/QS-9000 standards. Mr. Krukowski was also the Lean and Value Stream Coordinator for Production Control and Logistics where he implemented lean manufacturing initiatives through value stream and total cost analysis.
Tony Krukowski
Anthony J. Krukowski is a retired educator of thirty-five years. He served in two district where he held the positions of teacher/coach for five years, middle/high school principal for twelve years, and superintendent for eighteen years.
Mr. Krukowski received a Masters Degree in Education Administration from Youngstown State University, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education (History/Composite Social Studies) from Geneva College. Mr. Krukowski has also completed postgraduate courses through the University of Dayton and Ashland College. In addition, he completed real estate classes through Walsh University.
As superintendent of schools, Mr. Krukowski served as chief executive officer for the operation of two different school districts. He developed and was responsible for overseeing multi-million dollar budgets. He presided as head negotiator for over a dozen contracts and defended management as its representative in all labor processes. Mr. Krukowski developed policies and procedures for the administration of the districts, saw to it that they were followed and carried out as well as established the vital communication links between board, staff, students, parents and community. He also wrote several funded grants in the areas of facilities, technology, curriculum and energy conservation.
During his tenure as superintendent, among his many accomplishments: he provided the economic leadership needed to direct one district out of a substantial financial deficit and freedom from state receivership, headed efforts that resulted in the passing of two bond issues, completed two major building projects from land acquisition to facility completion, developed an open enrollment program that produced one of the largest revenues in the state, coordinated an educational program that produced scores on the state report card that were the best in the county and among the best in the area, and was recognized statewide as a leader in promoting efficiency and effectiveness.
Kelcey Lehrich
Kelcey Lehrich joined Confidential Business Sale in 2010. Kelcey is a full-time entrepreneur and small business owner. In addition to his work with Confidential Business Sale Kelcey also works extensively as a consultant in the franchise industry, which he entered into in early 2009. Kelcey’s work in franchising includes franchisor development, sell-side franchise sales, and buy-side franchise consulting. Kelcey has worked extensively with several Cleveland, Ohio based brands such as Teresa’s Pizza and Liquid Planet. Prior to working in franchising Kelcey worked with a comprehensive financial planning firm helping small business owners create tax-efficient exit plans.
Kelcey is also an Area Director for AmSpirit Business Connections. AmSpirit is a national business networking organization that assists sales representatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners succeed by creating a forum where they can exchange qualified referrals with other professionals. Kelcey focuses the organization on building relationships whereby members can become advocates for one another’s business. Because of Kelcey’s affiliation with AmSpirit he has a host of contacts in his professional network in a variety of industries.
Kelcey attended Cleveland State University for his undergraduate coursework and studied business administration with a concentration in finance.
John Mulheisen
John has over 30 years of experience in small business and franchise sales, operations, management, professional sales training and personnel development. He has extensive experience in selling franchises as well as working closely with current and new small business owners to improve their performance and increase their productivity and profitability.
As the Director of Franchise Development for Ziebart International Corporation John authored a series of standards which still serve as the benchmarks for successful business conduct for Franchisees. He also co-authored and produced numerous manuals and training videos on good business practices and has conducted hundreds of workshops and seminars throughout North America on how to succeed as a Franchisee.
John is married and he and his wife Jeannette have four grown children and three grand children. Aside from his family the most rewarding experience in life is assisting people in getting into business. His leisure time is spent reading history, playing golf and traveling with his wife.
Terrie Prebel
Ms. Terrie Prebel has over fifteen years experience in sales, management and customer service. Terrie has gained valuable experience working for small and large privately held, as well as a Fortune 500 companies. She has served in a variety of industries including: services, retail, restaurant, insurance, publishing and non-profit organizations. Terrie has been recognized for her exceptional leadership and has earned several awards throughout her tenure. She is well versed in managing all facets of a multi-program sales operation including start ups, mergers, and closures. Her expertise is in recruitment, training, development, problem-solving, motivation, sales and quality assurance. Terrie understands the importance of bringing immediate and long-term value to her customers and clients. Terrie earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.
Don Wheelock
Don Wheelock knows that to be successful you need to bring together and utilize the skills of an Expert Team. Don will insure that you will be assisted by a team of professionals throughout the transaction. From the professional business appraisal, through the Intermediary facilitated negotiations and deal structuring, to the deal’s closing, Don will there to assist you.
Don is a Graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Engineering. He started his career with a small Cleveland based job shop as a Project Engineer responsible for job acquisition and associated profit and loss. He progressed to work for General Motors, Packard Electric and Delphi, all Fortune 500 Companies. During his career with these companies, Don had top management experience in Production Control, Logistics, Customer Service, Industrial Engineering, and Purchasing. Don spent the majority of his 35 year career being "In the Middle of the Deal". As the Purchasing Business Line and Commodity Manager, Don's buy/sell transactions, under his personal responsibility and that of his team, ranged in size from as small as thousands of dollars to those valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
Don always dreamed of owning his own business. To satisfy his entrepreneurial desire, he successfully founded and managed three rental limited liability companies. Don knows firsthand what it takes to own and operate a small business. When it is time to buy, he understands what's involved in the search for the right business for you. When it comes time to sell your business, Don also knows personal attachment that the founder can have to a business since they operated their business for a significant part of their lifetime. The emotional and financial ties that can develop are well understood.
You will only Sell or Buy your Business once. You can't afford to not do it right! Let Don put his skills to work for you in your upcoming Business Sale, or Acquisition Search.
Jeff Young
Jeff has over 30 years experience in restaurant and retail management. He is regarded as an expert in domestic and international franchising. As a member of the franchise development team at General Nutrition Centers (GNC) he developed an award-winning global franchise organization that grew the chain from 900 stores to over 6000 worldwide locations. He left the company to become a business owner purchasing a GNC franchise and added a Candy Express franchise. He sold his stores in 2000 to focus on his in business consulting and work as a business intermediary.