Judy J. Mims
Judy has been a business broker for 16 years, including five as a member of the Georgia Association of Business Brokers. Judy Mims formed Childcare Properties, LLC in 2014. Dedicated to providing the highest levels of integrity, experience and service for the childcare industry in the Atlanta metro area, Childcare Properties, LLC focuses exclusively on the sale of childcare facilities, preschools, Montessori and private schools.
A business broker and a licensed commercial real estate agent for over twelve years, Judy received her real estate license in 2004 and her Broker’s license in 2011. She is an active member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ACBR), the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the Georgia Child Care Association (GCCA), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA). Judy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Scripps College, Claremont, California.
What area do you specialize in as a business broker?
Child care facilities, private schools, preschools and Montessori schools in the greater Atlanta area.
What led you to business brokering?
A background in advertising sales and a meeting with Chet Walden who offered to train me in business brokerage. To build a database of prospects, I made 20 cold calls a day Monday thru Friday every week for three years.
What have you accomplished this year as a GABB Board member?
Worked to set up classes at our conferences that would give CE credit to members; rewrote the ethics code; helped to establish a real estate school focused on business brokerage. I also helped develop the Board-Certified Broker curriculum that will give a Georgia-based certification to business brokers.
How has the GABB helped you improve as a professional business broker?
The GABB has helped me tremendously! The contacts with affiliated professionals are invaluable, and every time I take a class, I learn something. Also, help with navigating the COVID crisis has been very valuable to me.
What advice would you give to people who are trying to build a business brokering practice?
Try to find a mentor, or at least surround yourself with seasoned professionals who can help “untie the knots” in a stalled transaction. Be patient—it takes a long time to establish a good reputation and only a minute to destroy one. Be ethical! Don’t cut corners. Marketing is very important—remember to define your market and get to know it well. Sales skills are also very important—you are selling your skills and also your listings.
What area do you specialize in as a business broker?
Child care facilities, private schools, preschools and Montessori schools in the greater Atlanta area.
What habits do you have that you think make you successful?
Persistence and honesty.
What else would you like to tell us?
This is a fascinating industry, but not an easy one. Have patience in developing your business and work hard to establish a good reputation. Think through your area of expertise very carefully, because it is hard to develop a presence in an industry and you don’t want to have to change areas of expertise very often.