Lindsay South, Judy South, Maii O'Neill, Kobie O'Neill

Lindsay and Judy South had been trying for over two and half years to sell their successful, profitable health foods and supplements store in Heber Springs, Arkansas, a beautiful resort community on the shores of Greer’s Ferry Lake in central Arkansas.
Once CBI-Sunbelt of the Ozarks listed the business the buyer was identified in less than 12 months and closing took place Sunday, December 11th, 2011.
Mai and Kobie O’Neill of Florida saw the ad for the health food store on the Sunbelt website, made the inquiry and then traveled to Heber Springs as quickly as possible to begin due diligence on the store and meet Lindsay and Judy.
Things went well from there and all parties were exhausted but happy after the inventory and closing Sunday evening.
Lindsay said, “CBI-Sunbelt’s ability to help all of us over the problems and rough spots kept the deal going to closing.”
Lindsay, a native of Australia, and Judy, who is originally from Memphis, Tennessee plan on helping the new buyers, Mai and Kobie, get up to speed for the next 45 days and then the Souths plan on continuing to live in Heber and traveling more.
Mai and Kobie have children who are enrolled in Heber Springs schools. They have bought a home and are happily opening their store daily and excited about their future.
CBI-Sunbelt brokers were Connor Grimes and Bill Grimes.  Pictured from left to right:  Lindsay South, Judy South, Mai O’Neill, and Kobie O’Neill.

Carl became one of the first franchisees of Sunbelt Business Advisors in 1984 and served as First Vice Chairman of the Board for Sunbelt from 2001 to 2006.

Before Carl Grimes founded CBI-Sunbelt Business Advisors of the Ozarks, he published an award-winning newspaper, built and operated a state-of-the-art cable television system, owned a real estate firm, a retail catalog sales business, and an abstract and title company.  All of these businesses were successfully sold and led Mr. Grimes to the field of business brokerage.  He received the designation of Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) from the International Business Brokers Association and that organization recently honroed him by naming him a Fellow of the IBBA. Grimes and his family own CBI-Sunbelt Business Advisors of the Ozarks in Fort Smith, AR, Joplin, AR, and Springfield, MO.

A graduate of the inaugural class of Leadership Fayetteville, a program conducted by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, Carl has served as a city councilman, school board member, and a Chamber of Commerce president. A member of University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Carl has also served as an elder, a deacon, and a Sunday School teacher.

Michael Auten, President, stated that “Having served as a franchisor CEO under the direction of Carl Grimes as First Vice Chair at Sunbelt, I have exceptional confidence in Carl to lead our management team to serve the franchise community with targeted solutions at an economically affordable price point with honesty and integrity.  Carl and his family will continue to operate their Sunbelt/ CBI Team franchise on the XpandCRM private label platform (BRIM) while performing his oversight of the company’s vision and strategic direction.”

Helping Business Owners (and getting paid to do it)….CBI-Sunbelt Associate Advisor Randy Alexander (right) receives a payday as a business advisor CBI-Sunbelt Team founder Carl Grimes (left). Randy helped his client and got paid to do so.

If you or anyone you know is looking for a new career (NOT a job) as a full time, professional business intermediary then send your resume to info@cbiteam.com. The CBI-Sunbelt Team is looking for business advisors for all four of offices, Fort Smith/River Valley, Springfield, Missouri, Joplin, Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.

The growing local office of the world’s largest and oldest business brokerage network is looking to add to its team a few self-motivated associates to function as broker/agents in the River Valley and Northwest areas of Arkansas as well as Southwest Missouri. A business broker/agent finds sellers and buyers of companies and arranges the transactions between them.  This draws upon the broker/agent’s capabilities in sales, marketing, financial analysis, negotiations, financing and business management. The successful business broker/agent 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.

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

• Maturity- at least 20 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 ownership- past entrepreneurial and management experience, a plus
• Education- college degree required, MBA, JD or CPA, a plus
• Background – management or financial consulting, or commercial/industrial real estate may be a plus

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

The position offered is that of an Independent Contractor. THIS IS A COMMISSION-ONLY POSITION in which you will be expected to earn $100,000 or more per year, depending largely on your own efforts and results. Business brokerage is a complex, extended process so a new broker should expect 6-9 months before collecting that first commission check. But we place no upper limit on your earnings potential. This is challenging, very interesting work that can be highly rewarding for the right person.

With millions of baby boomers approaching retirement age, we are now in the initial stage of what is expected to be the greatest wave of business transitions in US history.  NOW is the time to enter this industry—Get a foothold now and be at the peak of your game as more and more businesses come to market.

We are an equal opportunity enterprise and we are particularly interested in including some women on our team.

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.

Ron and Carol Filer have owned the franchise in Fort Smith since 1987.  When Kevin Smith, the new owner, started looking into buying the business, he was impressed that the loyal, honest, and hardworking auto technicians employed by the Filers had over 40 years combined business.  Kevin used his 401K investment to purchase Midas.  If you have a 401K plan and are looking for a penalty-free way to invest it, call us today.  Buying a business with your retirement savings is easy and affordable.

October 2011—Our regional business broker, Connor Grimes, helped close the deal on Boar’s Nest BBQ Club and Restaurant in Fayetteville!  Stop by and say hello to the new owner, Michael McNamara.  Last year, Connor sold Willy D’s Piano Bar in Little Rock for the same folks.  Pictured from left to right:  William Ray (seller), Michael McNamara(buyer), Will Houston(seller), and Don Ray(seller).

The National Settlement Services and Compliance Summit has become the premier annual destination for title and settlement services leaders and top real estate professionals to come together for unmatched networking and learning.

Expert speakers and noted industry veterans take the stage for two days of educational presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Attendees return year after year to learn and discuss the most important issues impacting their businesses. They walk away with CE/CLE credits, new business partnerships, innovative approaches to business, and the insight to remain compliant.