Southern Country Business Advisors Research
Advisory Approach
Southern Country Business Advisors is a licensed Florida business brokerage firm specializing in structured exits for operator-led and privately held businesses throughout Florida. The firm was founded by Denise S. Houghtaling, a serial entrepreneur who personally built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses before transitioning to advisory work. Her signature achievement—selling a defunct mulch yard for 100 times the original purchase price after overcoming fires, hurricanes, and bankruptcy—embodies the firm's thesis: resilience, operational expertise, and seller perspective create superior exit outcomes.
The firm's philosophy centers on the principle that business brokers who have walked in the seller's shoes offer irreplaceable empathy and insight. Most team members are former business owners themselves, bringing firsthand experience with the financial, operational, and emotional realities of selling a company. This operator-turned-advisor model distinguishes Southern Country Business Advisors from generalist firms that lack practical entrepreneurship experience.
Sector Focus
Southern Country Business Advisors maintains particular expertise in waste management, recycling, construction, green industries, and home services. The firm's geographic concentration in Southwest Florida—particularly Lee County, Collier County, and Charlotte County—has produced deep vertical knowledge in industries that drive the regional economy: landscaping, property management, roofing, stucco and drywall contracting, trucking and logistics, and environmental services.
Within construction, the firm has completed multiple transactions in roofing companies (including a 17-year SBA-qualified roofing business generating $2.5M in revenue), stucco and drywall contractors, and general trades businesses. The waste management and recycling specialization stems from Houghtaling's operational background, giving the firm uncommon ability to value businesses with complex asset bases, regulatory considerations, and operational dynamics that confound generalist brokers.
Deal Track Record
The firm has a documented track record of sell-side transactions across diverse industries, with deal sizes typically ranging from $500K to $1.5M in total enterprise value. Verified transactions include:
- Commercial landscaping business in Collier County, sold for $1,299,000 (SBA prequalified)
- 17-year established roofing business in Lee County, sold for $650,000 (May 2025)
- Home storage solutions business operating since 1987, sold for $750,000 (December 2024)
- Property management business with turnkey contracts, sold for $620,000 (August 2024)
- Pack & ship and gift store duo in Charlotte County, sold for $580,000 (December 2025)
- REAL ESTATE INCLUDED home solution business in Collier County
The firm maintains active listings on BizBuySell, BusinessesForSale.com, and industry platforms, with 28 businesses currently under representation. Transaction pacing indicates 4-6 closed deals annually, with typical engagement timelines of 6-9 months from listing to closing.
Process & Fee Structure
Southern Country Business Advisors runs confidential, structured sell-side processes designed for operator-led businesses. Typical engagement structure:
- Retainer: Custom pricing (contact for details)
- Success fee: Industry-standard percentage structures negotiated per engagement
- Process timeline: 6-9 months from engagement to close
- Buyer outreach: Targeted identification of qualified buyers
- Exclusivity required
The firm requires SBA prequalification where applicable and works closely with SBA lenders to facilitate financing for buyers. Exit strategy planning services are available for owners 1-3 years before contemplated sales, focusing on operational improvements and financial recasting that maximize enterprise value.
Buyer Network
The firm's buyer network consists of individual buyers, private investors, and SBA-qualified acquirers focused on Florida's main street and lower middle market. Geographic specialization in Southwest Florida produces deep connections with regional buyers seeking businesses in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and surrounding counties. The firm does not emphasize private equity relationships or institutional buyer networks, focusing instead on individual owner-operators and family buyers seeking lifestyle businesses and local expansion opportunities.
Competitive Positioning
Southern Country Business Advisors differentiates through:
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Operator perspective: All principals have owned and operated businesses, bringing practical empathy and seller-side insight that traditional brokers lack.
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Vertical specialization: Deep expertise in waste management, recycling, construction, and green industries produces superior valuation accuracy and buyer targeting.
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Southwest Florida focus: Lee County residency since 1973 and regional market knowledge dating to the 1970s provides unmatched local market intelligence.
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IBBA accreditation: Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation and adherence to International Business Brokers Association standards.
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Authentic storytelling: Houghtaling's personal narrative—building from bankruptcy to 100x mulch yard exit—resonates with sellers facing their own transition challenges.
Not a Fit If
Southern Country Business Advisors typically declines:
- Businesses below $500K in enterprise value
- Businesses outside Florida
- Technology startups or high-growth ventures requiring institutional capital
- Complex corporate divestitures or carve-outs
- Sellers seeking limited-process or off-market transactions
Team
Denise S. Houghtaling, CMAP, CBI, CEPA, ABI, SVA – Founder and Principal Broker. Serial entrepreneur who built, operated, and sold multiple businesses including a mulch yard sold for 100x the purchase price. Lee County resident since 1973 with deep roots in Southwest Florida business community. IBBA member since May 2023. Holds CM&AP (Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional), CBI (Certified Business Intermediary), CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor), ABI (Accredited Business Intermediary), and SVA (Summit Business Advisor) designations.
Brittney Bransfield, MBA, ABI – Business Sales Professional. MBA in Marketing from Hodges University. Florida Real Estate Broker (BK263499). Specializes in construction and home services transactions.
Ashley Hum, ABI, SVA – Business Broker. Focuses on SWFL business brokerage with expertise in home services and lifestyle businesses. Maintains active social media presence promoting business listings and exit education.
David Tirado – Business Broker. Based in Naples, FL. St. Francis College alumnus. Specializes in business brokerage throughout Southwest Florida.
The firm maintains a 5.0 Google rating with 21 reviews, highlighting personalized service, market expertise, and successful transaction outcomes.
Geographic Coverage
Primary: Southwest Florida (Lee County, Collier County, Charlotte County) Secondary: Statewide Florida Headquarters: North Fort Myers, FL