Business Brokers have the unique opportunity to see a lot of businesses and meet a lot of very interesting entrepreneurs. Many have taken the advice of the investors on ABC’s Shark Tank. They found a problem and solved that problem with their product or service. Below are just a few examples of businesses we have sold recently.
Bear Vault was founded by a husband and wife who enjoyed back packing but didn’t enjoy waking up to find a bear had destroyed their food supply. After trial and error, and several patents, they developed a food canister that was unable bears couldn’t open, and a patented lid that a human could open but Bears couldn’t.
Ursack, oddly enough, was another company that manufactured a product that protected food supplies from bears. Ursack solved the problem in a different manner. Ursack is a bag, rather than cannister, but the bag is made with Kevlar which prohibits the bear from ripping open the bag.
Dog Beach Dog Wash solved a problem and was a business of passion for the two founders. Taking their dogs to the beach created dirty dogs, but no place to wash them, unless they wanted to make a mess in their own homes. So over 25 years ago, Dog Beach Dog Wash was born. (and with great forethought, they also registered www.dogwash.com) While today there are over a dozen self service dog washes, these two entrepreneurs virtually invented this self service dog wash industry.
Bridal Bazaar solved a problem that many newly engaged couples face. Where to find wedding venues, caterers, wedding dresses, flowers and all of the other products and services associated with getting married. Started over 40 years ago, they now run 3 shows per year and feature up to 200 vendors at each show. And an interesting twist about Bridal Bazaar is we sold it 18 years ago so that the owner could herself take time off and get married. Then, just recently, we sold it so that the second owner could enjoy their long awaited retirement.
Of course, not all businesses or business owners we work with invented a product or revolutionized an industry. Many have built successful business or franchise, refined the operations, improved profitability, and are ready to move on to their next project or to retire. Whatever the reason an owner wants to sell, we love working with San Diego’s small business owner and seeing first hand that entrepreneurial spirit.