Inside Business Brokerage: Buying, Selling, and Getting Deals Done

Welcome to Happy Buyer, Happy Seller.

In this foundational episode, award-winning Central Florida business broker Shaun Thornton shares how he transitioned from nine-figure international industrial sales to becoming a master-certified business intermediary, one of fewer than 100 in the world.

If you are thinking about selling your business, buying a business, or planning an exit strategy, this episode lays the groundwork for understanding what actually drives successful transactions.

You will learn:

• Why only 15–20% of businesses listed for sale actually sell

• The real role of a business broker

What buyers must understand before entering the market

• Why preparation determines valuation

• The importance of due diligence and financial clarity

• Buy vs start: which path makes more financial sense?

• How SBA 7(a) loans impact small business transactions

• Where business brokerage ends and M&A begins

Shaun draws on decades of corporate sales experience, leading complex nine-figure international deals across steel, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. That discipline now shapes how he structures, markets, and negotiates privately held business sales.

If you're serious about business ownership, exits, acquisitions, or valuation strategy, this show is for you.

🔔 Subscribe for conversations with business owners, SBA lenders, CPAs, attorneys, private equity professionals, and brokers who work on real deals every day.

📌Connect or follow Shaun Thornton

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunthorntonbusinessbroker/

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunThorntonBusinessBroker/

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappyBuyerHappySellerPodcast

00:00 Welcome to Happy Buyer, Happy Seller

01:05 Shaun Thornton’s credentials and brokerage background

02:40 From engineer to nine-figure international sales

05:15 Selling $250M industrial projects

07:45 Why complex deals require zero surprises

09:30 What makes a successful business sale

11:10 The guests and experts coming to the show

12:45 Why only 15–20% of businesses actually sell

14:05 The importance of preparation and knowing your numbers

15:40 The broker’s real role in selling a business

16:50 Only 10% of buyers actually buy

17:45 Buy vs Start: which is smarter?

18:55 Final thoughts and what’s coming next

#BusinessBroker #BusinessBrokering #BuyingABusiness #SellingABusiness #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #PrivatelyHeldBusiness #DueDiligence #SBALoans #BusinessEducation #DealPreparation