What our clients are saying…

When it was time for popular Edmonton aesthetician Alicja Krzyzowska to find the right buyer for her skin care salon, she was happy to hand the job over to Sunbelt business broker Michael McCulloch.

She especially appreciated that he screened prospects to confirm their resources and potential to assume the business and only set up meetings with buyers he felt were serious. That allowed her to maintain her regular operations.

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Securing the right buyer was critical to longtime Play and Learn owners Gord and Sandy Nicholl.

“We wanted not just the right money, but the right owner,” says Gord. “We feel we’ve achieved that.”

Gord credits Sunbelt business broker John Patrick for making it happen and satisfying both parties, end-to-end.

“Selling a business is complicated. You need a professional who can walk you through the minefield of details,” Gord stresses. “People may think they can do it on the cheap, but it doesn’t work that way.”

“I was fortunate to engage Sunbelt. Many friends of a similar age in business are having trouble trying to do it on their own with so many baby boomers wanting to sell. I’m recommending they go to Sunbelt.”

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“I couldn’t tell anyone I was selling,” says Laurence Way. “Customers can start to worry if they hear that a place is up for sale… is their money still there.”

“I knew the sale would be handled confidentially with Sunbelt,” adds Laurence. “They’re professionals. I bought the business (home decorating consignment) through them in 2003.”

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After selling his John Deere dealership of 44 years, John Williams gets to “fix” what he loves in his own time, including the rebuilding of antique steam engines.

Creative workarounds by Sunbelt office owner and president Greg Kells gave John and his wife ongoing income and made the purchase affordable for the buyer.

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Former Trytel Internet Inc. company owner Jeff Hurrie knew how to build a business but he didn’t know how to sell one.

“Sunbelt was critical in helping us put our best foot forward,” says Jeff. “They were amazing They were there above and beyond the call of duty. Another thing I liked about working with Sunbelt is that, in addition to their professionalism and expertise they are motivated because they don’t get paid unless they make the sale.”

Barbara Malone had listed her business of 20 years, Glebe Side Kids, with Sunbelt because she was acquainted with Sunbelt Canada President Greg Kells personally and believed he would handle the transaction fairly, honestly and professionally.

Both seller and buyer found his input and advice invaluable.

I was a complete novice, says Barbara. This was the first time I had ever been through selling a business and I was very happy with the service. Greg is a hard worker. He worked on the inventory with me and he was very helpful when it came to closing the transaction.

Buyer Christina McNab was equally effusive in her praise.

“Greg was very helpful in going through the steps involved in the process and prior to my buying Glebe Side Kids, Greg sent me on two buying trips to Montreal with Barbara, so that I could see what the process is, meet the suppliers, and get to know Barbara.”

Sam (Ahmed) Rabaa and his wife Maha were thrilled at the opportunity to move to California. But they faced one major hurdle: before they could leave Ottawa, Sam had to sell Studio Elegante, his successful hairdressing salon. Sam had tried to sell it privately but, at the 11th hour, the deal fell through.

Then Maha went on line and found Sunbelt Business Brokers, says Sam. “We called, reached agent Mark Cullen, met with him, and listed the business.”

Meanwhile, the three Bunsick kids finally were old enough for their mom, Nathalie, to make her foray into the business world. Owning a beauty salon topped her wish list. Husband Andrew went on line where, like Maha Rabaa, he discovered Sunbelt.

“Andrew was impressed with Sunbelt,” says Nathalie. “He used to be a banker so he knew what to look for. He researched several of the businesses that were listed with Sunbelt and the information was good.”

The Bunsicks contacted Sunbelt and sat down with agent Mark Cullen.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Would they recommend Sunbelt to others?

Absolutely!

Taplen Construction was Henry Armstrong's baby. But after four and a half decades of hands-on devotion to business, Henry was ready to retire. Like all caring parents, he wanted the best for his baby so he turned to the best- Sunbelt Business Brokers—to locate a suitable buyer. "I definitely didn't want to close down the operation," he says. "I have a lot of good people working for me and I wanted to make sure the company carried on."

Impressed with Sunbelt's client roster and philosophy, he listed Taplen Consrruction for sale with Sunbelt. He is delighted with the results. "Sunbelt's staff is excellent," he says. "They really kept things moving and got the sale done."

After due consideration of two potential buyers, Henry opted to sell the business to Michael Assal, who moved his family back to Ottawa from Washington, D.C., where they were living when the opportunity surfaced.

"The transaction required me to spend a lot of time negotiating with Mr. Armstrong," says Michael. "Sunbelt was very professional and often stepped in to facilitate when possible areas of conflict surfaced.

"Things well went from the first week I took ownership."