Archive

I have personally invested in, managed, purchased and/or sold different types of businesses including retail cell phone and computer repair, information technology service provider, environmental testing business, real estate inspection, self storage, business consulting and property management. Our primary experience is in Business Management Consulting. Our focus in working with over 40 clients during the last two years has been in strategic planning and technology consulting for technology, healthcare and construction trades businesses. IBBA- Member, Athens Area Associations of Realtors, Georgia Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Lake Lanier Medical Group Managers Association, Athens Area Medical Group Managers Association, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Hall County Chamber of Commerce ,Northeast Georgia Latino Chamber of Commerce.

Small businesses with revenues under $3,000,000.

I had a couple of bad experiences working with brokers who were very unprofessional. As a business consultant, I believed I could do better in assisting my clients transition in or out of business.

This has been a learning experience for me. As a relatively new member, I have been able to learn how the GABB works and have developed a better appreciation for the Board’s desire to not only improve opportunities for brokers, but also improve the level of professionalism of members and our image to the public.

Having a wealth of resources available through the membership has been extremely valuable. Again, as a new broker, I have a lot to learn and the membership has been very accommodating in answering questions.

I would stress the importance of education and that it can come in many forms. Learn from the successes and failures of others by developing relationships with successful peers. Find your niche, always be honest, and don’t compromise.

I think my success is tied to my active networking habits. I never eat lunch alone and have almost as many breakfast meetings as lunch meetings because this is when people, who otherwise are not available, can meet. Networking has helped build credibility and expanded my circle of influence such that people are now reaching out to me for meetings.

I have an MBA and have more than 30 years of business experience with more than 22 years as a business owner. As a private investor, I have invested in, bought, sold and started businesses for more than 20 years, so I understand both buy-side and sell-side dynamics. I also understand how to grow a business and how to maximize value. These are all experiences and credentials I believe allow me to deliver exceptional value to my clients.

After employment by a Fortune 100 company, Jeffery Merry, began the BUSINESS HOUSE, inc.^SM. Since its inception over 20 years ago, the BUSINESS HOUSE, inc. ^SM has become one of the most successful business brokerage firms in the Southeast.

As a Business Intermediary, Jeff has been involved in over 200 mergers and acquisitions that have ranged in acquisition price from $60,000.00 to over $15,000,000.00. Jeffery specializes in serving the manufacturing, distribution, veterinary, service, and medical industries.

He is a lifetime member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers (GABB) prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Club and was the first Georgia broker in the GABB to receive the Phoenix award for being in the Multi-Million Dollar Club for 10 consecutive years. Jeffery and the BUSINESS HOUSE, inc. ^SM have been a member of GABB for 20 plus years and has held the Presidency and Board of Directors positions many years.

Jeff holds a Bachelors Degree from Mercer University, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Illinois, and a Juris Doctorate from Atlanta Law School. Jeffery is also a licensed real estate broker in Georgia and Florida. Further, he is an Adjunct Professor of strategic management, accounting, and finance in MBA programs.

Veterinary hospitals, manufacturing, distribution, HVAC, and green related companies i.e.: Landscaping and tree companies.

I was consulting and my client asked me to sell his company

Yes, the GABB has helped me both professionally and personally. Networking and the education tools we
have to work with.

Write a business plan and the steps necessary to attract clients, then implement it.

Good communication skills and good marketing habits.

Matt Wochele CBI (Certified Business Intermediary) founded Preferred Business Brokers, Inc., in 1996 after a successful 17-year career in the investment banking industry. He is a life member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers Million Dollar Club, membership chairman of the GABB board, a GABB Phoenix Award recipient and a member of the International Business Brokers Association. As president and managing broker of Preferred he has had the opportunity to be personally involved in hundreds of private business sales. The combined personal experience in the public sector with the private business sales has positioned the company to handle both the smaller main street business deals and the larger middle market business acquisitions. Matt and his wife Kathy, a professional artist, live in Sandy Springs.

Our firm specializes in general business brokerage. What this means to the public is that we are intimately familiar, experienced and knowledgeable in selling private businesses. Our approach is to recognize that while the industry might vary, understanding the business model, financials and how to market the individual business or practice is not that different. We believe this gives us a large advantage in being able to put buyers and sellers together. It has been proven time and again that most buyers have certain ideas and parameters on what they are looking for in a purchase but have not necessarily narrowed it down to one industry. Also, most buyers come from outside the particular industry of the business.

After spending 17 years working with larger public companies as an investment banker I wanted to take that knowledge and be more involved in the main street business sales. The personal connections in helping smaller private business owners and buyers achieve their goals were important to me. It made me feel like I was making a difference with people who I got to know on an individual basis.

This year has been a challenging year with COVID-19. As a board member I am fortunate to be part of a team made up of individuals who care about the GABB members and serving the public. Our goals were centered on education and giving value to our membership. It is important to us to keep the membership engaged with business brokering. The business owners who are ready to sell and the buyers who are looking to buy are still out there. We need to be on top of our game to help them navigate through this time to get them to the closing table.

There is no question that being a member of the GABB has greatly enhanced my professional career as a business broker. The endless opportunities to share the latest knowledge and networking so that I may better serve my clients is invaluable.

Get a mentor. There is no room for error in representing someone’s sale of their business.  Educate yourself in all aspects of our trade.

I would say number one is listening to the wants and needs of our clients. Once you have a clear picture of your mission then it’s a matter of putting in the work. Being thorough and responsive when it comes to dealing with all the individuals involved in making a sale happen is key. We all need each other. I think we exhibit a strong ability to bring deals and people together.

My personal philosophy is to never stop learning or growing as an individual and a professional. This covers a lot of ground, but that’s what makes most things exciting and worthwhile. This enables me to give back to those coming up behind me so that the standards of growth and success are constantly being raised for the benefit of all.