Horizon Business Brokers Research
Advisory Approach
Horizon Business Brokers operates as a comprehensive business brokerage and M&A advisory firm serving the Mid-Atlantic region, with particular strength in the small-to-mid-market business segment. Established in 2006 by Dustin Zeher, the firm has built its practice on the fundamental thesis that business owners deserve knowledgeable, ethical intermediaries who treat buyers and sellers fairly while securing optimal deal outcomes. Their approach combines institutional process rigor with personalized attention to each transaction's unique circumstances.
The firm's positioning emphasizes confidentiality, ethical standards adherent to the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) code of conduct, and a proven track record of accelerating deal timelines. According to their market positioning, the national average time to sell a business is 8-12 months, but Horizon's average is 5-7 months—a significant differential they attribute to their valuation approach and targeted marketing strategy.
Horizon's sweet spot encompasses owner-operated businesses with enterprise values primarily in the $50K-$500K range, though the team's collective expertise extends higher for select transactions. The firm actively markets itself as serving both buyers and sellers nationwide, with particular geographic strength in the Washington DC metro area, Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, and Baltimore/Richmond corridors.
Sector Focus & Industry Expertise
Horizon Business Brokers demonstrates deep expertise across multiple small-business verticals, with particular prominence in certain niche sectors:
Laundromat & Coin Laundry Operations — This is a flagship vertical for the firm, with substantial completed transaction volume. The team has become known in the laundromat sector for understanding operational cash flow metrics, equipment lifecycles, and location-based revenue patterns. Alan Horn, a senior broker, is recognized as "The Laundromat King" by peers for his deep expertise in this sector alone. This vertical appears to represent 15-20% of the firm's completed transactions.
Building & Construction Services — Significant activity in painting contractors, electrical contractors, HVAC services, demolition specialists, and specialty trades. The firm understands project management, licensing requirements, and the dynamics of growing service-based construction businesses.
Service-Based Businesses — The team shows broad competency in cleaning services, landscaping, pet grooming, pet services, and facilities management. These businesses share common characteristics (recurring revenue potential, owner-operator models, scalability constraints) that the team understands deeply.
Retail & Food Service — Activity in restaurants, bakeries, bicycle shops, and specialty retail operations. The team includes Kristine Tonkonow, a former food and beverage CPG founder who successfully exited her company in 2025 and brings operational expertise to positioning food/beverage businesses for sale.
Automotive Services — Completed transactions in auto repair and service businesses, where the team understands technician retention, warranty exposure, and customer concentration risks.
Deal Track Record & Transaction History
Horizon Business Brokers has completed 850+ transactions representing $3B+ in total transaction value across 20 years of operation. While the firm's website features primarily small-business transactions in the $40K-$500K range (reflecting the core market served), the collective experience of the team extends to larger transactions through various team members' career histories.
Recent completed transactions include:
- Established and Profitable Laundromat in Laurel, Maryland ($450K, 2025)
- Established Laundromat in PG County Maryland ($450K, 2025)
- Growing Painting Contractor serving Northern Virginia and West Virginia ($426K, 2025)
- Established Cleaning Service in Fredericksburg, Virginia ($360K, 2025)
- Award-Winning Custom Cabinet Manufacturing Company in Northern Virginia ($360K, 2025)
- Established Demolition Contractor serving DC Metro Area ($320K, 2025)
- Lawn and Landscape Company in Northern Virginia ($315K, 2025)
- Dog Wash and Grooming Salon in Northern Virginia ($305K, 2025)
The firm maintains a "Done Deals" portfolio showcasing 25+ recent completions, predominantly in the service, retail, and light manufacturing sectors. Deal flow appears steady with consistent quarterly closings across their service territory.
Advisory Process & Fee Structure
Horizon follows a structured sell-side advisory process:
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Initial Consultation & Valuation — Free initial consultation to understand the owner's objectives and company profile. The firm offers business valuation services (including BizEquity valuation tools) as a first step.
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Engagement & Preparation — Once engaged, the firm assists with business abstract preparation, financial statement review, and seller preparation. They help position the business for market with attention to presentation quality.
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Marketing & Buyer Outreach — Horizon leverages their broker network, online listings (particularly BizBuySell, BizQuest), and direct outreach to their buyer database. The firm claims a notable buyer network built through 20 years of consistent transaction flow.
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Negotiation & Closing Support — The firm negotiates on behalf of sellers, coordinates inspections, and facilitates closing. They maintain relationships with commercial attorneys and accountants to support transaction completion.
Fee structure details are not explicitly published on the firm's website, but standard business broker fees in this market segment typically range from 6-10% of enterprise value for buyers, with sellers' side structured similarly or through commission-based arrangements. The firm's website references "the lowest brokerage fee" as part of their value proposition, suggesting competitive positioning on pricing.
Buyer Network & Transactional Relationships
Based on the deal history and market positioning, Horizon maintains relationships with:
- Individual investors and owner-operators seeking business acquisition opportunities
- Small PE groups and investment syndicates focused on Main Street businesses
- Strategic buyers in related industries (e.g., larger painting contractors acquiring smaller competitors)
- Owner-operator networks in specific verticals (particularly active laundromat investor community)
- SBA lenders and equipment finance providers who support their buyer base
The firm emphasizes relationship-building and has cultivated trust with repeat buyers over their 20-year history. The buyer network appears to be primarily local/regional with some national sourcing capability, suited to the small-business segment they serve.
Team & Leadership
Horizon is led by Dustin Zeher, founder and principal broker, with 15+ years of IBBA involvement and recognized leadership in the business brokerage industry. Zeher serves as president of the Maryland Business Brokers Association (MBBA) and is a founding charter member of BizBuySell's Broker Advisory Committee. He is a Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and represents the firm at industry conferences and association events.
The team includes:
- Alan Horn — Seasoned business broker with 10+ years at Horizon, specializes in laundromat operations and small business transactions. Known for deep sector knowledge and relationship-building.
- Kevin Song — Associate Broker with 20+ years of small-business management experience and mechanical engineering background. Bilingual (English/Korean). Handles buy-side and sell-side engagements.
- Jean-Pierre Dieckmann — Business broker since 2006, specializes in restaurant and retail transactions. Has successfully negotiated sales of high-profile establishments (Cafe Asia, Sesto Senso, Le Gaulois, Georgetown Optician, etc.). Represents both buyers and sellers in DC and international markets.
- Phil Bongiorno — M&A Advisor and association executive with government relations background. Former CEO of Home Care Association of America. Brings policy expertise and understanding of regulated industries.
- Talisha Bekavac — M&A Professional with 20+ years of experience in M&A transactions focused on creating generational wealth. Has worked with lawmakers and regulators on M&A accessibility. Graduate of Florida A&M University (cum laude, public relations/political science).
- Kristine Tonkonow — Strategic business and operations executive. Former founder/CEO of a food and beverage CPG company that successfully exited in 2025 (nationally distributed brand). Brings hands-on operational expertise and founder perspective to advising business sellers.
- Michael Wade — Marketing Director with 10+ years in the small business sector. University of Virginia graduate with creative writing capability. Develops positioning and marketing narratives for client businesses.
The team brings approximately 75+ years of combined M&A and business advisory experience.
Competitive Positioning
Horizon differentiates itself through:
- Speed — Consistent 5-7 month sale timeline vs. 8-12 month industry average
- Transparency & Ethics — IBBA code of conduct adherence and emphasis on fair dealing
- Industry Depth — Deep expertise in specific verticals (laundromats, service businesses, retail)
- Seller Support — Comprehensive pre-sale preparation and positioning support
- Network Leverage — 20+ year track record with repeat buyers and referral sources
- Founder Credibility — Principal team members with actual business ownership/operational experience
Not a Fit If
Horizon typically focuses on owner-operated businesses and would not be an optimal fit for:
- Highly specialized/technical businesses requiring industry-specific investment banker expertise
- Transactions exceeding $5-10M+ where deal complexity requires institutional investment banking infrastructure
- Distressed situations requiring turnaround expertise
- Strategic M&A requiring sophisticated competing-offer management across multiple large acquirers
- International transactions beyond their DC metro network capability
Geographic Coverage
Primary service territory: Washington DC metro area, Northern Virginia, Maryland, Baltimore, Richmond, Raleigh, and Carolinas. Stated capability to assist buyers and sellers nationwide through broker network partnerships.
Headquarters: Tysons Corner, Virginia (1934 Old Gallows Rd, Ste 350, Tysons Corner, VA 22182).
Firm Metrics
- Founded: 2006
- Principal Broker: Dustin Zeher
- Team Size: 8-10 active advisors
- Total Transactions: 850+
- Total Transaction Value: $3B+
- Average Deal Timeline: 5-7 months
- Industry Memberships: IBBA, Maryland Business Brokers Association (MBBA), Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA), BizBuySell Broker Advisory Committee
- Key Designations: CBI (Certified Business Intermediary), M&A Advisor
- Recognition: IBBA Chairman's Circle Award, Deal Maker Award, Outstanding Producer Award