Horizon Business Brokers Research
Advisory Approach
Horizon Business Brokers is a main street business brokerage firm founded in 2006 by Dustin Zeher, specializing in the sale and acquisition of small businesses with enterprise values typically under $1 million. The firm operates with a clear thesis: that selling a business requires exhaustive buyer outreach combined with institutional-quality process management, even for smaller main street transactions. Their sweet spot is founder-owned and family-owned service businesses, construction trades, and laundromats in the $100,000-$500,000 price range where operational complexity creates valuation challenges.
The firm distinguishes itself from traditional investment banks by focusing exclusively on main street businesses rather than lower middle market companies. This positioning allows them to develop deep expertise in specific business categories (particularly laundromats, where Alan Horn is known as "The Laundromat King") and maintain relationships with buyers actively seeking small business opportunities rather than private equity firms pursuing platform acquisitions.
Sector Focus
Horizon Business Brokers maintains broad exposure across main street business categories with particular depth in laundromats and coin-operated businesses. The firm's team of brokers has completed transactions across construction trades, service businesses, retail establishments, and light manufacturing. Within laundromats, their expertise is exceptional—they have sold dozens of laundromat businesses across multiple states and maintain specialized knowledge of laundromat valuation, equipment assessment, and buyer demographics for this asset class.
The firm also has demonstrated experience in electrical contracting, HVAC services, landscaping, painting contractors, cabinet manufacturing, cleaning services, auto repair, pet grooming, and retail businesses including bike shops and pet stores. This diversification across main street categories provides them with buyer and seller networks across multiple industries, though their primary transaction volume remains concentrated in service businesses and construction trades.
Deal Track Record
Horizon Business Brokers has sold nearly 400 businesses since its founding in 2006, making it one of the most active main street business brokerages in the Mid-Atlantic region. The firm's Done Deals page lists dozens of completed transactions with deal sizes ranging from $40,000 to $450,000, providing a representative sample of their transaction history.
Notable completed transactions include:
- Sale of an established and profitable laundromat in Laurel, Maryland for $450,000 with $78,000 in cash flow
- Sale of an established and well-known laundromat in Prince George's County, Maryland for $450,000 with $112,682 in cash flow
- Sale of a growing painting contractor serving Northern Virginia and West Virginia for $426,476 with $284,482 in cash flow
- Sale of an established cleaning service in Fredericksburg, Virginia for $360,000 with $150,299 in cash flow
- Sale of an award-winning custom cabinet manufacturing company in Northern Virginia for $360,000 with $181,253 in cash flow
- Sale of an established demolition contractor serving the DC metro area for $320,000 with $151,992 in cash flow
- Sale of an established and well-known lawn and landscape company in Northern Virginia for $315,000 with $204,925 in cash flow
- Sale of an established dog wash and grooming salon in Northern Virginia for $305,000 with $157,265 in cash flow
- Sale of a popular and well-known bicycle shop in Fairfax County, Virginia for $300,000 with $92,732 in cash flow
- Sale of an established and reputable auto service and repair shop in Montgomery County, Maryland for $265,000 with $184,722 in cash flow
The firm has completed numerous laundromat transactions across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC, demonstrating both geographic reach and category specialization. Beyond individual transactions, the firm's aggregate performance of nearly 400 completed sales represents substantial experience in main street business transactions.
Process & Fee Structure
Horizon Business Brokers follows a structured sell-side process designed to maximize value while maintaining strict confidentiality. The firm emphasizes that the national average time to sell a business is 8-12 months, but their average is 5-7 months due to their valuation approach and marketing and advertising efforts. The process begins with a complimentary consultation and business valuation, during which they assess the business's market position, financial performance, and likely buyer pool.
Once engaged, Horizon prepares comprehensive marketing materials while maintaining seller confidentiality. They leverage multiple platforms to reach buyers, including BizBuySell (the largest business-for-sale marketplace), their internal database of pre-qualified buyers, and professional relationships with lenders, attorneys, and accountants who may refer potential buyers. The firm requires all potential buyers to complete a buyer profile, personal financial statement, and confidentiality agreement before receiving any detailed business information, ensuring that only serious, financially qualified buyers learn about the listing.
The firm maintains strict adherence to the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) code of ethics regarding confidentiality and professional conduct. Their fee structure follows industry standards for main street business brokerages: a commission percentage of the final sale price, typically 8-12% for businesses under $1 million, paid only upon successful closing. The firm does not charge upfront retainer fees for most engagements, instead earning compensation through success-based commissions.
Buyer Network
Horizon Business Brokers maintains a comprehensive buyer database developed through 18 years of main street business transactions across the Mid-Atlantic region. The firm has completed nearly 400 transactions, giving them visibility into hundreds of qualified buyers actively seeking business ownership opportunities. Their buyer network includes individual first-time business buyers, existing business owners seeking expansion through acquisition, strategic buyers looking for add-on locations or competitor acquisitions, and occasional family office or high-net-worth investors.
The firm has particular strength in connecting laundromat sellers with buyers actively seeking coin-operated businesses, a category where they maintain one of the most active transaction volumes in the Mid-Atlantic region. Through their relationship with BizBuySell, they gain access to a national marketplace of business buyers, expanding their reach beyond their immediate geographic area. The firm's team members also maintain active involvement in the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and M&A Source, providing access to co-brokerage opportunities with business brokers in other markets.
Competitive Positioning
Horizon Business Brokers differentiates from other main street business brokerages through several competitive advantages:
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Laundromat Specialization: Alan Horn, known as "The Laundromat King," has completed more laundromat transactions than virtually any broker in the Mid-Atlantic region, providing the firm with category-specific expertise that attracts both laundromat sellers and buyers.
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Geographic Coverage: With offices in Tysons Corner, Richmond, Raleigh, and Baltimore, the firm covers the entire Mid-Atlantic region from a single platform, allowing them to match buyers and sellers across state lines.
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Award Recognition: Dustin Zeher has received the IBBA Platinum Chairman's Circle Award for six consecutive years, and Alan Horn received the IBBA Outstanding Producer Award in 2024, demonstrating consistent high-level performance.
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Data-Driven Valuation: The firm uses sophisticated valuation tools and market data to determine asking prices, helping sellers price businesses realistically to attract qualified buyers and minimize time on market.
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Bilingual Capabilities: Kevin Song provides services in both English and Korean, allowing the firm to serve Korean-speaking business owners and buyers in the Northern Virginia market.
Not a Fit If
Horizon Business Brokers typically declines engagements that fall outside their main street business expertise:
- Businesses with enterprise values above $1-2 million (these transactions typically require investment bank representation)
- Distressed businesses or turnarounds requiring operational restructuring
- Complex partnership dissolutions or family business breakups that require mediation beyond typical transaction management
- Businesses with negative cash flow or significant undisclosed liabilities
- Startups or businesses without at least 2-3 years of operating history and documented financial performance
- Businesses in highly regulated industries requiring specialized regulatory expertise (healthcare facilities, financial services, etc.)
Team
Horizon Business Brokers is led by founder Dustin Zeher and supported by a team of experienced business brokers and support staff:
Dustin Zeher – Founder & Principal Broker. Dustin established Horizon Business Brokers in 2006 and has since completed nearly 400 business transactions. He holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation from the IBBA and currently serves as President of the Maryland Business Brokers Association. He is also a dedicated board member of the Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA) and a founding charter member of BizBuySell's Broker Advisory Committee. Dustin has received the IBBA Platinum Chairman's Circle Award for six consecutive years (2018-2023) and the M&A Source Gold Club Award for outstanding performance in 2023. His background includes study in business management and administration with particular focus on small business, real estate, finance, marketing, and business law.
Alan Horn – Business Broker. Alan has over a decade of experience at Horizon Business Brokers and specializes in small business transactions with deep expertise in the laundromat sector. Known as "The Laundromat King" by his peers, Alan has completed numerous laundromat transactions across multiple states. He is an active member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), Maryland Business Brokers Association (MBBA), and Carolinas-Virginia Business Brokers Association (CVBBA). A former small business owner himself, Alan brings practical insight into the challenges of buying and selling businesses.
Kevin Song – Associate Broker. Kevin specializes in guiding clients through business acquisitions and sales, leveraging over 20 years of hands-on experience managing small businesses and a background in mechanical engineering. He is bilingual in English and Korean, allowing him to serve Korean-speaking clients in the Northern Virginia market. His analytical skills and attention to detail help clients navigate the complexities of business transactions.
Jean-Pierre – Business Broker. With extensive experience as a business broker since 2006, Jean-Pierre specializes in small business sales within the Washington, D.C. area and international markets. He has successfully negotiated the sale of numerous established businesses including Cafe Asia, Sesto Senso, Le Gaulois, Georgetown Optician, Ipsa Salon, Steve Madden, Brown Shoes, Carter's Oshkosh, and Fast Fettoush. He has collaborated with diverse high-net-worth investors to develop tailored acquisition strategies.
Phil – Government Relations & Policy Advisor. Phil has an accomplished career as an association executive leader specializing in government relations management. Previously CEO of the Home Care Association of America, he brings expertise in highly regulated environments and helps small business owners navigate complex regulatory landscapes.
Talisha Bekavac – M&A Strategist. Talisha has over 20 years of experience working with businesses to harness the power of mergers and acquisitions to create generational wealth. She has worked extensively with lawmakers and regulators to make M&A more accessible for small businesses and provides research and testimony on entrepreneurship policy.
Kristine Tonkonow – Operations & Business Strategy. Kristine is a strategic business and operations executive with extensive experience leading high-growth food and beverage operations and specialty manufacturing. A former business owner who built and scaled a food CPG company from a kitchen startup to a nationally distributed brand, she successfully exited in 2025. Her firsthand experience owning and selling a business gives her deep understanding of what owners need from an intermediary.
Michael Wade – Marketing Director. Mike has served as Horizon's Marketing Director for over a decade, bringing extensive familiarity with the small business sector. A University of Virginia graduate, Mike crafts compelling narratives that elevate client brands and communicate value propositions effectively to potential buyers.
Geographic Coverage
Horizon Business Brokers is headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia (1934 Old Gallows Rd, Ste 350, Tysons Corner, VA 22182) and serves the entire Mid-Atlantic region. The firm's primary coverage area includes Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Delaware, and portions of Pennsylvania. Their completed transactions span from Northern Virginia and the DC metro area through Richmond, Baltimore, and into southeastern Pennsylvania. This multi-state footprint allows them to serve buyers and sellers across market boundaries and match parties seeking opportunities outside their immediate local area.
The firm also maintains physical presence or affiliate offices in Richmond, Virginia; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Baltimore, Maryland, providing local market intelligence across the Mid-Atlantic region. Their brokers are licensed to conduct business transactions across all served states, ensuring regulatory compliance for interstate transactions.