Benchmark Business Group Research
Advisory Approach
Benchmark Business Group (BBG) is a unique hybrid firm combining business brokerage with comprehensive coaching and consulting services. Founded in 1999 by Bob and Susan Clements, BBG operates with the foundational belief that business ownership should provide more money, time, freedom, and satisfaction rather than constant struggle. The firm's thesis centers on "Value Realized"—helping business owners maximize the value of their businesses through systematic processes whether they're growing, buying, or selling.
What makes BBG distinctive is its origins in business coaching. The firm began as an E-Myth Mastery coaching center before expanding into business brokerage through the 2011 acquisition of Henderson Business Group. This coaching-first perspective shapes their entire M&A approach: they view transactions as the culmination of proper business systems and preparation, not just financial events. Their sweet spot is main street and lower middle market businesses (typically $500K to $20M in enterprise value) where founder-operators need guidance on both the technical and emotional aspects of transitioning their business.
The firm's process is highly structured and systematized, reflecting their E-Myth heritage. They emphasize minimizing seller frustration through clear communication, systematic marketing to pre-qualified buyers, and their proprietary Seller Insights Coaching program that prepares sellers emotionally and strategically for the transition. Their anti-thesis includes pure asset sales and businesses below $500K in value, as they focus on going-concern enterprises where their coaching methodology creates meaningful value.
Sector Focus
Benchmark Business Group is a generalist business broker serving main street and lower middle market companies across diverse industries. Their "Businesses We've Sold" page demonstrates transaction experience across manufacturing, distribution, retail, food & beverage, healthcare, automotive, construction, home services, and professional services. Rather than specializing in specific vertical markets, BBG focuses on business characteristics: founder-owned companies with $500K-$20M in enterprise value, primarily in the Midwest and Southwest.
Within their broad market, they show particular depth in several areas. Manufacturing and industrial businesses represent a significant portion of their track record, including precision machining, custom manufacturing, wood products, and fabricated metal products. This expertise stems from broker Dennis Henderson's background running a manufacturer's representative agency in custom engineered metals, plastics processing, injection molding, and rotational molding. The firm also has meaningful experience in business services, particularly cleaning and janitorial services, where they've completed multiple transactions at various price points. Their geographic footprint—heavy presence in Iowa, Arizona, Nebraska, and surrounding states—naturally creates exposure to agriculture-related businesses, food distribution, and transportation/logistics companies.
Deal Track Record
Benchmark Business Group has completed hundreds of transactions since entering the business brokerage space in 2011. Their publicly available "Businesses We've Sold" page lists over 100 completed deals ranging from $50,000 to $20,000,000 in sale price. This represents only a portion of their total transaction volume, as the page states it shows "some of the businesses we've sold" rather than a complete inventory.
Notable transactions include: Distribution companies ($18M and $6M), E-commerce distribution businesses ($2.96M), Manufacturing companies including wood products ($6.2M), industrial operations ($4.5M), and precision manufacturing ($2.8M), Daycare and childcare centers ($8.88M and $2.2M), Commercial cleaning companies at multiple price points ($230K-$1.4M), Restaurant and food service establishments, Automotive dealerships and service centers, HVAC and trade services businesses, and Professional services firms including marketing agencies and consulting practices.
In April 2025, BBG broker Brad Dostal advised on the sale of Pella Windows & Doors of CT & NY to Yonah Group, a search fund led by Army veterans. The transaction was covered in PR Newswire and demonstrates BBG's ability to handle deals with sophisticated buyers including search funds and institutional acquirers. Based on their public track record, BBG has completed approximately 100+ transactions since 2011, with aggregate deal values likely exceeding $150M+.
Process & Fee Structure
BBG's sell-side process is highly structured and reflects their systems-oriented approach: It begins with a confidential, no-obligation conversation to understand the seller's situation, followed by a complimentary Opinion of Value for businesses in their market areas. Once engaged through an exclusive listing agreement, BBG's marketing team creates presentation packages identifying the business's unique selling points, then markets the business through their proprietary buyer database and major listing platforms while maintaining confidentiality. The firm facilitates all buyer negotiations and communications, coordinates due diligence, assists with buyer financing, manages closing preparations, and serves as liaison with lenders. A unique differentiator is their complimentary Seller Insights Coaching program that prepares sellers for what buyers will want to know and helps them avoid common deal-breaking mistakes.
BBG positions its services as minimizing disruption to the seller's daily operations—"so you can spend your time running your business" is a recurring theme in client testimonials. The firm has managed closings on "hundreds of business acquisitions in the Midwest" and handles all elements of the transaction including working with attorneys and accountants on both sides. Their fee structure and typical retainer information is not publicly disclosed on their website, which is common for main street business brokers who often customize engagement terms based on deal size, complexity, and services required.
Buyer Network
Benchmark Business Group maintains an active pool of pre-qualified buyers and markets businesses through proprietary databases plus major business listing websites. Their buyer base includes individual buyers, search funds (as evidenced by the Pella CT-NY transaction), and institutional acquirers including private equity groups. The firm's long presence in the Midwest brokerage market and their membership in industry associations (IBBA, M&A Source) provides access to co-brokering opportunities and broader buyer networks.
From their public deal record, buyer types include: Individual buyers and first-time business owners, Family offices and high-net-worth investors, Private equity groups and search funds, Strategic buyers expanding geographically or adding product lines, and Existing companies consolidating within their industry. Their experience with transactions involving real estate (many listings note "Real Estate: Yes") indicates familiarity with buyers who acquire both business operations and underlying property.
Competitive Positioning
Benchmark Business Group differentiates through its unique combination of coaching heritage and brokerage execution. Unlike traditional business brokers who focus purely on transaction mechanics, BBG's background in E-Myth methodology and business systems means they understand the operational and human elements of business transitions. Their Seller Insights Coaching program is a proprietary differentiator—educating sellers on what to expect and how to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of selling.
The firm's multi-disciplinary team brings diverse backgrounds: legal (Bob Clements, JD), military/leadership (Brad Dostal, 26-year Army veteran), economic development (Scott Stricker, former Des Moines economic development director), and industrial operations (Dennis Henderson, manufacturing rep agency owner). This breadth allows BBG to understand businesses from multiple angles, not just financial metrics. Their presence in both Des Moines and Tucson provides geographic reach across the Midwest and Southwest, while their coaching and consulting services create multiple touchpoints with business owners before, during, and after transactions.
Not a Fit If
Benchmark Business Group typically declines: Pure asset sales or liquidations (they focus on going-concern businesses), Businesses below $500K in enterprise value (their smallest public transactions are in the $50K-$100K range, but their core focus appears to be $1M+), Businesses wanting limited buyer exposure (their process emphasizes maximum marketing to qualified buyers), and Sellers unwilling to maintain business operations during the sale process (a key theme in their messaging is that sellers should continue running their business as if they'll be there for 5-10 more years).
Team
The firm is led by Co-founders Bob and Susan Clements. Bob Clements serves as General Counsel and brings a Juris Doctorate from Creighton University (1973), 30+ years as a practicing attorney in business law and M&A, Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential, Value Builder Certification, Senior E-Myth Consultant status, and Real Estate license. His background includes ownership/management of five businesses, chamber of commerce presidency, and service on a multi-bank holding company board.
Susan Clements serves as Partner/Chief Executive Officer, though her detailed bio is not prominently featured on the site.
Dennis Henderson (CSBA) is the Founder of Henderson Business Group (acquired by BBG in 2011). His background includes ownership of a manufacturing representative agency for 20 years serving the custom engineered metals and plastics processing industries, ownership of a microbrewery, machinery & equipment appraisal certification, and the CSBA (Certified Senior Business Analyst) designation from the Society of Business Analysts.
Brad Dostal brings 26 years of active duty U.S. Army service including tours in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines, plus executive decision support for Members of Congress, U.S. Ambassadors, and Defense Department leaders. His education includes a B.B.A. from Iowa State University (1990), M.S. in Management from University of Saint Mary, certificate in Congressional Affairs from Georgetown University, and M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University.
Scott Stricker holds a B.A. from Syracuse University (1975) in Political Science and Economics and an M.A. in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan (1977). His background includes nine years with the City of Des Moines as an Urban Planner, 12 years leading Des Moines's Economic Development office (assisting hundreds of businesses with loan programs and negotiating hundreds of property transactions), and 12 years as a Real Estate Developer.
Additional business brokers include Tom Doyle, Tom Forsythe, Rick Davis, Eric Schmitz, and John Houlihan. The firm also employs business consultants (Jenn Pierce, MBA), business coaches (Joanne Elmer, CLU, FLMI, ACS; Al Depman; Angie Lookingbill; Gerry Herbison), a business valuation analyst (Kolbe Luinstra), and support staff including Linda Birmingham (Office Assistant) and Debbie Landon (Marketing Coordinator). The total team size appears to be approximately 15-20 professionals across coaching, consulting, and brokerage functions.
Geographic Coverage
Benchmark Business Group operates from two primary offices: 2409 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312 (515-288-6984) and 100 N. Stone Ave., Ste 1108, Tucson, AZ 85701 (520-775-3399). Their transaction history shows concentration in Iowa, Arizona, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, and surrounding Midwestern states. The firm also describes coaching work "in most of the 50 States and several foreign countries," though their brokerage practice appears more regionally focused. Their presence on BizBuySell and national business listing platforms indicates ability to work with buyers and sellers outside their primary markets, particularly for businesses that can be remotely managed or have national appeal.