First Business Resources, Inc. - Research
Advisory Approach
First Business Resources, Inc. is a Dallas-based private business advisory firm specializing in sell-side M&A for privately held middle market companies. Established in 1999, the firm operates with a core thesis: business owners maximize value when they work with experienced intermediaries who handle the entire sale process professionally. FBR positions itself as a full-service advisory partner providing acquisition, divestiture, and exit strategy consulting to private corporations seeking to achieve optimal outcomes in business sales.
The firm's approach emphasizes thorough buyer vetting, detailed process management, and skilled negotiation. Rather than simply marketing a business to the broadest audience, FBR focuses on identifying strategically aligned buyers—whether high net worth individuals, family offices, strategic acquirers, or private equity firms—and managing the deal from engagement through closing. This thesis is grounded in the understanding that the right buyer-seller match, combined with institutional-quality process discipline, produces superior results.
Sector Focus
FBR serves a diverse range of industries across manufacturing, distribution, healthcare services, business services, retail services, and specialty manufacturing. The firm's 25-year transaction history demonstrates particular strength in manufacturing and light industrial businesses, including precision manufacturing, cast stone and precast concrete products, contract manufacturing, and specialty components. A significant portion of their practice also focuses on healthcare services, including physician recruiting firms, practice management platforms, and healthcare software providers.
Other sectors represented in their transaction history include retail services execution, import/distribution businesses, custom manufacturing (drapery hardware, chocolate products), roofing services, and specialized software solutions. This diversity reflects FBR's broad appeal to middle market business owners across sectors, though manufacturing and distribution comprise a meaningful portion of their deal flow.
Deal Track Record & Market Activity
George Chamblee, co-owner, has personally completed capital transactions exceeding $3 billion over 45 years in the real estate and M&A sectors. While FBR does not publicly disclose a "number of completed transactions" metric, their representative transactions page lists 20+ representative engagements ranging from plumbing services and roofing contractors to healthcare consulting, software companies, and specialty manufacturers.
Recent notable transactions include the sale of PUREDI (healthcare software and RCM services) to a strategic buyer, the acquisition of MESA Precast & Supply by a family fund, the sale of Goddard Healthcare Consulting to Sun Healthcare Group (a public company), and numerous sales to private equity firms including Mariner Capital Partners and Transition Capital Partners. The firm actively represents both sellers and buyers, though sell-side advisory predominates. Geographic focus is primarily Texas with selective national engagement (recent deal: MESA Precast in Arizona).
Process & Fee Structure
FBR offers comprehensive exit strategy development and sell-side representation. The firm's process includes initial business valuation and positioning, preparation of offering memoranda (confidential business memoranda), targeted buyer outreach, negotiation management, and transaction coordination through closing. The firm emphasizes "institutional-quality" process discipline with attention to detail, competitive buyer tension, and deal structure optimization.
The firm is a Texas Real Estate Broker and provides real estate consultation as part of their service offerings. While specific fee structure is not published on their website, FBR operates as a traditional M&A advisory and business brokerage firm. The firm coordinates with tax attorneys, accountants, legal counsel, and other advisors to manage complex transaction aspects. Client testimonials emphasize FBR's ability to save clients legal fees through effective deal management and creative problem-solving.
Buyer Network & Competitive Positioning
Based on the transactions listed, FBR maintains relationships across high net worth individuals (majority of deals), strategic acquirers (healthcare, software sectors), family offices/family funds, and select private equity firms (Mariner Capital Partners, Transition Capital Partners). While not positioned as a "PE powerhouse," the firm successfully matches sellers with financial sponsors and strategic buyers across sectors.
FBR differentiates through:
- Process rigor — Detailed attention to buyer qualification, deal documentation, and closing management
- Broad advisory capability — Real estate expertise combined with M&A advisory (unique positioning for deals involving real property)
- Negotiation strength — Testimonials consistently highlight Janae's accounting acumen and George's negotiation tactics as a powerful combination
- Seller advocacy — Strong focus on maximizing seller value and minimizing buyer surprises
- Operational knowledge — Team members understand business operations, not just financial metrics
Not a Fit If
Based on transaction history and positioning, FBR is less ideal for:
- Sellers seeking rapid exits (FBR emphasizes thorough, methodical processes)
- Ultra-large deals (Fortune 500 scale or public company acquisitions)
- Businesses without institutional financial documentation (FBR works with established profitable entities)
- Sellers unwilling to invest in proper deal preparation
- Technology unicorns or venture-backed businesses (traditional middle market focus)
Team
The firm's strength lies in its founding and core team:
Janae Chamblee (Founder/Co-Owner) — CPA with 30+ years of business advisory experience. Her credentials include CPA, BCB (Board Certified in Business Valuation), and CBI (Certified Business Intermediary). Strong accounting and financial analysis background. Praised by clients for patience, knowledge, and ability to manage emotions and financial complexities of selling. Speakers on M&A and business transfer topics.
George E. Chamblee III (Co-Owner) — 45 years in capital transactions, $3 billion+ completed. Lifetime M&AMI (Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary) and Lifetime CBI. Two BBA degrees (Finance, Management) from Texas Tech University. Prior experience as EVP at Equitable Real Estate managing $3 billion portfolio. Real estate expertise (licensed real estate agent, MAI appraiser designation) combined with M&A experience. Media source for Dallas Business Journal and Dallas Morning News.
Larry Shaw (Senior Advisor) — MBA in Finance, MS in Real Estate and Regional Science, BBA from Southern Methodist University. Provides specialized real estate and financial expertise.
Geographic Coverage
Primary service area: Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and Texas. Most transactions are Texas-based (Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston corridors). Selective national engagement visible in Arizona and beyond. No multi-state office structure; boutique firm operating from Dallas headquarters.
Industry-Specific Expertise
Manufacturing & Distribution: Precision manufacturers, cast stone/precast concrete, adhesive-backed film converters, electrical equipment distribution, fastening solutions, roofing contractors.
Healthcare Services: Physician recruiting and staffing, practice management software (RCM services), healthcare consulting.
Business Services: Retail execution services, corporate performance improvement, specialty labor services.
Retail & Consumer: Custom hardware, imported specialty products, chocolate manufacturing, drapery and textiles.