Stephenson brings years of entrepreneurial and financial expertise to the growing River North Chicagoland Sunbelt office.

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/21/2011 -- Daniel Kite, President and Managing Partner of Sun Street, LLC, an affiliate of Chicagoland Sunbelt, ( http://chicagolandsunbelt.com/), is pleased to announce that Fred Stephenson has joined the downtown office of Chicagoland Sunbelt as a business broker. Stephenson's career as an entrepreneur, banker, and merchant trader prepared him well for his new role as a business broker as it provides him a unique perspective and practical deal making skills as he moves forward to help business owners sell their business. Stephenson entrepreneurial experience stems from when he founded and headed a commodities transportation business that served processors, manufacturers and exporters in a round-the-clock, no-holidays operation. In nine years Stephenson quadrupled the business to over $2 million in annual revenue and built the staff to nearly 20 employees.

"We're very excited about the addition of Fred Stephenson as a Business Broker. We believe that he has a unique set of skills that will make him very successful as he helps people sell a business and provide the best results," stated Dan Kite, "I was struck by Stephenson's business knowledge and experience as well as his ability to understand the personal and financial implications for an individual when it comes to them selling their business."

Most recently Stephenson was a banker at Charter One Bank providing financing and to small and medium sized businesses. He arranged conventional and SBA loan packages for manufacturers, distributors, line haul and local transporters, research concerns, franchises, software makers, staffing companies, contractors, professionals, property managers and service industries of all types. His clients ranged in size from $5 to $20 million in revenues.

Stephenson started his career in US-based grain trading where he advised and executed trades on behalf of users, merchants and speculators with interests in the commodity futures and options markets. Stephenson became a member of the Chicago Board of Trade and designed accounting software and control systems for grain consumption/payment and options and futures risk management. Fred oversaw the grain consumption and inherent risk of a major miller as well as managed the sale of the consequent by-product to markets ranging from individuals to domestic conglomerates to worldwide exporters.

Fred's experiences have allowed him to gain insight to a wide spectrum of businesses and to develop the skills necessary to help business owners sell their businesses in a matter that rewards them financially and helps them transition to the next phase of their life.

Stephenson graduated from Purdue University in 1980 where he studied economics with a focus on agriculture and business management.

About Dan Kite
Daniel Kite is President and Managing Partner of Sun Street, LLC, an affiliate of Chicagoland Sunbelt. Chicagoland Sunbelt is part of the Sunbelt Network which is the world's largest business brokerage firm. Sun Street, LLC was formed as a partnership between Mr. Kite and Chicagoland Sunbelt to expand Sunbelt's rapidly growing brokerage firm into the downtown Chicago market.

Dan has twenty years of entrepreneurial business experience and is considered an expert in business development, franchising, retail operations, technology development and real estate development. Dan began his career working with his family's business. The business, the Marcus Corporation based in Milwaukee, WI, is the sixth largest movie theatre chain in the country and owns or operates over sixteen full service hotels. He has owned, developed, operated, and sold his own businesses, including a chain of Blockbuster Video stores, Screenz Computing Centers, and Tailor's Touch. He has also founded two software companies and has licensed his technology to Fortune 500 companies throughout the nation. Dan has been both a franchisee and a franchisor giving him a unique perspective on the world of franchising. Dan most recently spent five years as a Director of a private equity firm.

Daniel Kite holds an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University where he graduated, Magna Cum Laude.

To learn more about Dan Kite visit http://www.chicagolandsunbelt.com/team-Kite.htm

About Chicagoland Sunbelt
Chicagoland Sunbelt is a business brokerage firm that focuses on helping people buy, grow and sell businesses in Chicagoland and the surrounding Midwest. Having sold hundreds of businesses, Chicagoland Sunbelt specializes in a broad range of industries, including business services, distribution, food & beverage, franchises, personal services and retail. Its experienced team of M&A brokerage consultants also develop and execute comprehensive strategies designed to meet individual financial and non-financial goals.

Chicagoland Sunbelt is also a proud member of Sunbelt Midwest, which operates offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Illinois. For your next business purchase or sale, visit Chicagoland Sunbelt at http://chicagolandsunbelt.com/

Contact: Daniel Kite
Address: 350 W. Hubbard, Suite 470, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-878-1231
Email: dan.kite@sunbeltnetwork.com
URL: http://www.chicagolandsunbelt.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Timson manages sale during tough time for franchise sales. Baby Boomers sell businesses as they look towards retirement. This is a growing phenomenon that will drive the market for business sales in the future.

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/09/2011 -- Charlie Timson, Broker at Chicagoland Sunbelt, Visit Our Site, successfully completed the sale of a nationally known franchise restaurant in downstate Illinois. The seller had purchased the franchise after a successful corporate career. Not wanting to fully retire, the franchise was an opportunity to keep busy and grow a business. After 15 years of franchise ownership and doubling revenues in that period, the seller decided it was time to spend more time on the golf course and less in the restaurant. Jim Harris, the seller, who is approaching 65, looked forward to his future free of business responsibilities: "I hope to have a pretty blissful life from now on. I expect to stay busy but not have the pressure that comes with owning your own business."

The market showed a lot of interest in the listing. There were ninety-four inquiries, twenty-nine showings and three offers. The market responded positively for a number of reasons: the cash flow was sufficient to support a family, the franchise is well-known and respected, and the business is located in a college town with a number of large, stable employers. The strong economic base was not affected by the current economic situation and was reflected in the sales and profitability of the business for sale.

"Any franchise resale depends on the reputation of the franchisors" said Timson, "and we really benefitted in this case that the franchisor had been making significant upgrades and changes to the operations, menu and overall feel of the restaurant." Timson continued with other advantages of this franchise: "The majority of purchasing of food and supplies is in the hands of the individual operator which affords them more control over margin."

This transaction is another example of Baby Boomers transferring businesses to a new generation of ownership. The buyer was in his thirties and was ready to leave traditional employment for the benefits and independence of business ownership.

About Charlie Timson
Charlie Timson brings over thirty years of sales, marketing and management experience to the business brokerage profession. This experience ranges from small start-up ventures to Fortune 500 companies such as General Electric and LensCrafters. Timson successfully built, operated and sold his own business and has been part of many other business transactions. In addition, he has been responsible for managing significant operations for large to mid-size companies.

Throughout his career he has provided valuable advice and counsel to business owners and leaders in the areas of designing exit strategies, due diligence processes and negotiating transactions. As a Sunbelt agent he helps people achieve their personal objectives by facilitating the buying and selling of small businesses.

About Chicagoland Sunbelt
Chicagoland Sunbelt is a business brokerage firm that focuses on helping people buy, grow and sell businesses in Chicagoland and the surrounding Midwest. Having sold hundreds of businesses, Chicagoland Sunbelt specializes in a broad range of industries, including business services, distribution, food & beverage, franchises, personal services and retail. Its experienced team of M&A brokerage consultants also develop and execute comprehensive strategies designed to meet individual financial and non-financial goals.

Chicagoland Sunbelt is also a proud member of Sunbelt Midwest, which operates offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Illinois. For your next business purchase or sale, visit Chicagoland Sunbelt at www.chicagolandsunbelt.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Beimfohr, CBI, brought numerous interested buyers to the table and successfully negotiated a sale for a Baby Boomer wanting to retire. Baby Boomers looking to retire is a growing phenomenon in business brokerage.

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/07/2011 -- Chicagoland Sunbelt and Kathy Beimfohr, Certified Business Intermediary and Broker at Chicagoland Sunbelt (www.chicagolandsunbelt.com) were contracted by an owner of an electronic education business to handle the sale of his business. The successful transaction was completed in the last quarter of 2010. The seller wished to retire and needed to transition his business to a new owner. In addition to operating a business he founded and ran for seventeen years, the sale of his business provided funds for retirement. This transaction is part of a growing trend. In 2011 the oldest Baby Boomers turn sixty-five. There are seventy-six million Baby Boomers in the United States. The business community is looking at a period of businesses ownership transition as business owners look to sell one of their major assets –their business- and move on to retirement.

The seller founded the business seventeen years ago. The product serves the continuing educational needs of school administrators and superintendents. The seller gathered relevant educational theory and practice content from today's leading experts. Interviews with leaders in education and business were the highlight of each edition. The unique content is delivered by DVD or streamed from the web. Three states have contracted with this business to supply continuing education to their education professionals statewide. "This company truly provides the first anytime/anywhere resource for busy administrators and educators," says Beimfohr, "making it extremely convenient and highly accessible information that is required for continuing education credits."

Over one hundred interested buyers contacted Beimfohr and Chicagoland Sunbelt with interest in learning more about the business. This business was a truly one-of-its kind educational format with consistent revenues and a tremendous opportunity for growth. The combination of the industry served and the state-of-the-art distribution made the business very attractive to business buyers.

Fifty-seven potential buyers actually were shown the business. Multiple offers were generated that produced successful results: the business sold for full asking price. The buyer and seller worked out a satisfactory transition including consulting from the seller as the buyer got up to speed and put his future plans in place.

"The interest in this type of business was remarkable", says Beimfohr, "due to its position on the forefront of technology and the fact that it meets a consistent need of our nation's educators."

"It is important when considering the sale of your business to find the team that is right for you," stated Domenic Rinaldi, Managing Director of Chicagoland Sunbelt, "and Kathy Beimfohr really provides leadership to sellers in a potentially stressful time.

Her designation as a Certified Business Intermediary demonstrates her commitment to being a transaction professional."

About Kathy Beimfohr
As a former business owner, Beimfohr brings extensive knowledge and experience that supports her ability to assist buyers and sellers alike meet their objectives. With seven years of experience at Sunbelt, Kathy has assisted numerous business owners in the confidential sale of their business ranging from main street operations to multi-million dollar enterprises. In her role as an intermediary, Beimfohr is able to identify key issues in the process of selling, create marketing strategies that bring results, negotiate offers, and work closely with a client's advisors such as attorneys, CPA's and others to help ensure a smooth and successful transaction.

She is a member of the International Business Brokers Association and has been awarded the professional designation of Certified Business Intermediary. This designation is earned through the IBBA who maintains industry standards within the business brokerage industry in order to ensure that professional conduct and ethics is extended to clients at all times.

About Chicagoland Sunbelt
Chicagoland Sunbelt is a business brokerage firm that focuses on helping people buy, grow and sell businesses in Chicagoland and the surrounding Midwest. Having sold hundreds of businesses, Chicagoland Sunbelt specializes in a broad range of industries, including business services, distribution, food & beverage, franchises, personal services and retail. Its experienced team of M&A brokerage consultants also develop and execute comprehensive strategies designed to meet individual financial and non-financial goals.

Chicagoland Sunbelt is also a proud member of Sunbelt Midwest, which operates offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin & Illinois. For your next business purchase or sale, visit Chicagoland Sunbelt at http://www.chicagolandsunbelt.com.

About Certified Business Intermediaries – Source: International Business Brokers Association
A Certified Business Intermediary, or CBI, is the designation awarded by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) to members that have met select educational requirements and ethical standards. IBBA, with 1,500 members worldwide, is the largest international, non-profit association operating exclusively for the benefit of people and firms engaged in the various aspects of business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions.

With the skills necessary to handle the marketing, negotiations and complex details involved, a CBI can successfully complete the purchase or sale of your business. A higher level of education and training means that a CBI will have more access to people and information than other business brokers. A CBI has professional affiliations with hundreds of other intermediaries in addition to the most current industry information regarding taxes, government and legislation.

A CBI's experience and knowledge of current marketplace conditions is critically important when it becomes time to sell a business.

Contact: Domenic Rinaldi
Address: 8745 W. Higgins Road, Suite 220, Chicago, IL 60631
Phone: 773-243-1603
Email: drinaldi@sunbeltnetwork.com
URL: http://www.chicagolandsunbelt.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm