Supporting the Red Cross (from left) Casey Grimes, Loryn Grimes, David Proffitt, Carl and Kathy Grimes of the CBI-Sunbelt-Northwest Arkansas Team, attended the annual Red Cross Heroes celebration Saturday night, May 4th, held at the John Q. Hammons Center in Rogers, Arkansas. CBI-Sunbelt of the Ozarks was a sponsor of the event and supports the Red Cross.

Job Description:

A business intermediary finds sellers and buyers of companies and arranges the transactions between them.  This draws upon the intermediary capabilities in sales, marketing, financial analysis, negotiations, financing and business management. The successful business intermediary has a smooth blend of inter-personal, financial, and personal organization skills. The position requires a highly-organized approach and a solid understanding of business financials. You must have high ethical and professional standards, and be a confident, creative problem-solver and natural networker. Although the position requires both sales/marketing and financial skills, the qualities of an effective salesperson are the most critical ones for success.

We provide detailed business intermediary training, drawing upon the organization’s 30 years of success and thousands of transactions, as well as coaching and a broad range of support.

Desired Skills and Experience:

When selecting new members for our team (and we are very team oriented), we look for the traditional indicators of successful business intermediaries:

• Maturity- at least 5 years of business experience
• Initiative- a well-organized, well-planned self-starter
• Creativity- development of solutions for complex business problems
• Selling experience- prospecting for, qualifying and closing customers and sales
• Business management or ownership- past entrepreneurial and management experience, a plus
• Education- college degree preferred.
• Background- management or financial consulting, or commercial/industrial real estate may be a plus

If you believe that you have the qualifications and are interested in exploring this opportunity please email your resume with cover letter to info@cbiteam.com or call 877-582-5200.

The Seller told CBI-Sunbelt that his CPA told him his business was worth just the depreciated asset value, basically -0-. It was sold for much, much more than that because the Buyer wisely recognized the strong cash flow and upside of the business.

After the business transferred ownership the former owner told the CBI-Team he was, “tickled plumb to death” with the efficient process CBI-Sunbelt uses and that he’ll be referring other business owners to CBI-Sunbelt. The Buyer said he has been actively searching businesses for sale and that he was impressed with how CBI-Sunbelt notifies potential buyers of listings they might be interested in and updates their websites regularly with new businesses.

Learn how CBI-Sunbelt can help you, contact the CBI-Team at info@cbiteam.com or 877-582-5200.

The CBI-Team thanks Dr. Bill Pickard for his wonderful recommendation and we all look forward to continued friendship and association.

IBBA, Pepperdine University Survey Also Shows Clarity over Taxes and US Fiscal Situation Helping to Drive M&A Activity in 2013

 (3-15-13)

The fourth quarter Market Pulse Survey Report by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), M&A Source, and Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management found that, for the first time, baby boomer retirement was the top reason driving business sales in all Main Street and lower middle market sectors. The second most common reason to sell was burnout for Main Street businesses and family issues for businesses in the lower middle market.

While the retirement of baby boomers has ranked high among sale motivators in recent years, the potential for tax increases was the main concern for many businesses owners last year.

“Baby boomer retirement will be a consistent trend, particularly now that 2009 is four years behind us for valuation purposes and the first boomers are now 67 years old,” said Carl E. Grimes, Chairman of CBI-Sunbelt Business Advisors, member of (IBBA / M&A Source). Many boomers would have sold in 2009 or 2010 but they were blindsided by the recession and had to hold on much longer than they expected.”

The fourth quarter Market Pulse Survey Report (http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/privatecapital) shows that, overall, brokers and M&A advisors are more optimistic about business sales in 2013. Business sales are expected to pick up due to baby boomer retirements (35 percent), market clarity following the presidential election (20 percent) and the fiscal cliff resolution (14 percent).

“People might not like everything that happened in Washington over the last few months, but at least now they have the answers they need to move forward,” said George Lanza, president of Plethora Businesses and chairman of IBBA. “Combine the U.S. election and fiscal uncertainly with the financial mess over in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why many sellers were just sitting tight and waiting for the dust to clear.”

The Q4 survey also showed that large businesses take longer to close. In all Main Street sectors, the majority of companies (56 percent) sold in six months. For those in the lower middle market, the majority of closings were between eight months and two years.

“Companies in the lower middle market really need to be proactive,” says Kevin Dempsey, principal of Summa Financial Group and chairman of the M&A Source. “Burnout and family issues are leading reasons that these owners sell. But when it can take a year or more to sell a company, you don’t want to be reacting to negative triggers, especially as buyers put the most value on the last 12 months of business performance.”

Other key findings from the fourth quarter Market Pulse Survey:

• Main Street M&A continues to shift away from a buyer’s market sentiment, suggesting a balancing of leverage in this sector. In Q4, 53 percent of Main Street brokers representing deals of $500,000 or less said they were operating in a buyer’s market. That’s a decline from 70 percent in Q2 and 60 percent in Q3.

• Existing companies were the most common buyer in the lower middle market and the $1 million – $2 million Main Street sector. Individuals who had previously owned a business also played a prominent role in Q4, ranking second across most of the markets.

• For companies under $1 million, most buyers were located either within the same metro area or same state as the selling business. But for businesses valued over $1 million, buyer distance jumped considerably with more than half (55 percent) coming from out of state.

The fourth quarter 2012 Market Pulse Survey may be found on the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project website at http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/privatecapital

Market Segments

About the Market Pulse Quarterly Report

The International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and M&A Source, in partnership with Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project, have set a goal to provide quality information on a quarterly basis in order to become the go-to source for Main Street and lower middle market transactions. The “Market Pulse Quarterly Report” gives business owners and their advisors access to current market conditions and trends regarding business sales across the country to help them make well-informed decisions regarding selling their business. It also gives business brokers and intermediaries timely and accurate data to help them build and maintain a successful and sustainable business.

About International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the M&A Source

Founded in 1983, IBBA is the largest non-profit association specifically formed to meet the needs of people and firms engaged in various aspects of business brokerage, and mergers and acquisitions. The IBBA is a trade association of business brokers providing education, conferences, professional designations and networking opportunities. For more information about IBBA, visit the website at www.ibba.org.

Founded in 1991, the M&A Source promotes professional development of merger and acquisition professionals so that they may better serve their clients’ needs, and maximize public awareness of professional intermediary services available for middle market merger and acquisition transactions. For more information about the M&A Source, visit the website at www.masource.org.

About the Graziadio School of Business and Management

Founded on the core values of integrity, stewardship, courage, and compassion, Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management has been developing values-centered leaders who advance responsible business practice since 1969. Student-focused, experience-driven and globally oriented, the Graziadio School offers fully accredited MBA, Masters of Science, bachelor’s completion and non-degree executive business programs for business professionals, entrepreneurs, managers and senior executives at all stages of their professional and personal development. More information: http://bschool.pepperdine.edu/newsroom

Media Contacts:

Scott M. Bushkie, CBI, M&AMI

Principal – Cornerstone Business Services, Inc.

IBBA – Marketing Chair

920-436-9890

sbushkie@cornerstone-business.com

www.cornerstone-business.com

Carl E. Grimes, Certified Business Intermediary, Fellow of the IBBA

CBI-Sunbelt Business Advisors of the Ozarks          

Member (IBBA / M&A Source)         

(479) 770-8989                      

carl.grimes@cbiteam.com

www.cbiteam.com and www.sunbeltoftheozarks.com

www.arkansasorthodontics.com

CBI-Sunbelt Business Advisors initiated and was the Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor to Dr. Bill Pickard and Arkansas Orthodontics, the leading orthodontic practice in Arkansas. Dr. Bill Pickard practiced for over 35 years and founded Arkansas Orthodontics in 2003, which he soon expanded to five high-tech locations in Northwest Arkansas and The River Valley. In 2012 Dr. Pickard reached the point where he became ready to “pass the torch” and retire. On March 13, 2013 ownership of Arkansas Orthodontics was officially transferred to Dr. Ben Burris.

Dr. Pickard retained CBI-Sunbelt in September 2012 to sell Arkansas Orthodontics. CBI-Sunbelt Founder Carl Grimes recommended that Dr. Pickard use the exclusive Confidential Auction Program (CAP) to confidentially market the practice. Utilizing direct mail, email, telemarketing, the internet and specific target marketing to Private Equity Groups (PEG’s) and large regional orthodontic practices, CBI-Sunbelt identified a large number of interested buyers, obtained Non-Disclosure Agreements and financial information prior to disclosing the name and locations of Arkansas Orthodontics. Dr. Pickard received several offers from firms across the USA. Dr. Ben Burris of Jonesboro, Arkansas was the successful candidate.

Dr. Burris and his wife Bridget acquired the assets of Arkansas Orthodontics on Tuesday, March 13, 2013.

The CBI-Team is poised to help owners sell their businesses, from large companies such as Arkansas Orthodontics to Mom and Pop “Main Street” businesses. To schedule a free, confidential consultation contact CBI-Sunbelt at info@cbiteam.com or 877-582-5200.

Pictured from left to right:
Dr. Paul Fitzgerald, Dr. Chad Matone, Penny Fitzgerald and Dr. Monty Heathman

After practicing dentistry for over 50 years, Dr. Paul Fitzgerald D.D.S. transferred ownership of his business through CBI-Sunbelt and has retired. In early October, 2012 Dr. Fitgerald chose to use CBI-Sunbelt to sell the office he owned and operated in Sheridan, Arkansas since 1975.

Casey Grimes, associate broker for the CBI-Team, helped Dr. Fitzgerald prepare his business sale and also identified the new owner, Dr. Monty Heathman D.D.S., through the CBI-Team’s marketing efforts. Casey’s enthuastic efforts to structure an acceptable offer was instrumental in completing this deal, which was finalized on March 8, 2013.

Not only were great relationships formed between the buyer and seller, but also with CBI-Sunbelt. Both parties gave tremendous recommendions for the work done by Casey Grimes and the rest of the CBI-Team. An interview with Dr. Paul and Penny Fitzgerald can be found below:

To see how the CBI-Team can help sell your business contact CBI-Sunbelt at info@cbiteam.com or (877)582-5200.

Do you need help selling your business or know somebody that does? For a free, confidential consultation contact the CBI-Team at info@cbiteam.com or (877)582-5200.

Rock Solid Powersports, “The River Valley’s best place to buy powersports, accessories and more”, transferred ownership thanks to the dedication of associate broker Dan Evans and the rest of the CBI-Sunbelt Team.

Owned by Tyler Lee, Rock Solid Powersports has sponsored numerous races and has been providing The Arkansas River Valley with motorsports vehicles, repairs and equipment since 2009. In October, 2012 Tyler decided to use the CBI-Team’s expertise to help him sell his business. Kitco Incorporated learned that the Rock Solid Powersports was for sale and through CBI-Sunbelt, made an offer to purchase the business. The offer was accepted by Tyler and the deal was finalized on February 28^th, 2013, which is less than six months from when it was originally listed for sale.

Have you considered selling your business? Contact CBI-Sunbelt for a free, confidential consultation at info@cbiteam.com or (877)582-5200.

The year-end report for 2012 that ranks the most expensive and most affordable metros in the country lists Springdale as the sixth most affordable in the county. This is the second straight year Springdale has made the Top 10.

The ranking, conducted by the Council for Community and Economic Research, measures regional differences in the cost of various goods and services.

The index is based on the costs of housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.

Least Expensive Metros:
1. Harlingen, TX
2. McAllen, TX
3. Norman, OK
4. Ardmore, OK
5. Memphis, TN
6. SPRINGDALE, AR
7. Wichita Falls, TX
8. Muskogee, OK
9. Pueblo, CO
10. Ashland, OH

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