Washington Business Brokers LLC Research
Advisory Approach
Washington Business Brokers LLC is a Pacific Northwest-focused business brokerage and M&A advisory firm that partners with privately-held business owners to navigate the complex process of selling their most valuable asset. Founded by Ryan Hemmert, MBA, CPA (inactive), the firm operates with a clear thesis: business owners are experts on their businesses, while Washington Business Brokers are experts on the process of selling businesses. This division of expertise allows owners to focus on running their companies while the advisory team handles valuation, buyer identification, negotiation, deal structuring, and closing.
The firm's sweet spot is small to mid-sized businesses with revenue between $2 million and $30 million, typically with 10 or more full-time employees. They specialize in working with tired, exhausted business owners who have built successful companies but lack the time, energy, or expertise to navigate a sale process independently. Their anti-thesis includes businesses below $2 million in revenue, distressed asset sales, and situations where owners are not genuinely committed to a transaction.
Sector Focus
Washington Business Brokers maintains broad industry expertise across the lower middle market, with particular depth in manufacturing, business services, and consumer services. Their team has closed transactions in manufacturing (both discrete and process industries), financial services, healthcare, technology, retail, distribution, and real estate. They serve businesses throughout Washington, Oregon, and Alaska, with a geographic focus on the Pacific Northwest but capability to work with owners nationwide.
Within manufacturing, they work with precision machining, fabrication, and specialty trades companies. In business services, they handle staffing firms, facilities management, and professional services organizations. Their healthcare experience includes physician practices, behavioral health platforms, and healthcare services companies. Technology transactions typically involve SaaS platforms, MSPs, and industrial software businesses rather than venture-backed startups.
Deal Track Record
Washington Business Brokers has demonstrated consistent transaction activity, completing 7 deals in 2023 alone according to LinkedIn posts from the founder. The firm's strategic advisor, Glen Cooper, brings deep experience with 500+ businesses sold throughout his career and is a nationally recognized author and expert in selling private businesses. While individual deal details are not extensively publicized (typical for confidential business brokerages), documented transactions include the sale of Wright Way Cleaning & Restoration in Lynnwood, WA, a 15-year-old business that was successfully sold to a qualified buyer. The firm has also represented roofing contractors, trades businesses, and service companies across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
The firm maintains a network of 3,000+ buyers, including investment groups, owner/operators, private equity shops, and strategic acquirers. They list businesses on 5+ online platforms and report receiving 40-250 buyer inquiries per listing, indicating strong market demand for their well-prepared opportunities. Washington Business Brokers is the only firm in Washington and Oregon to be recognized nationally for three consecutive years by the International Business Brokers Association and M&A Source for verified transactions.
Process & Fee Structure
Washington Business Brokers follows a structured three-step sell-side process:
Step 1: Preparation & Valuation - Comprehensive valuation assessment, financial document review, consultation with commercial lending experts, preparation of confidential marketing materials, and video interviews with owners to capture business story and value drivers.
Step 2: Marketing & Negotiations - Listings go live on 5+ online platforms with proactive, confidential marketing campaigns. The team addresses buyer questions on financials, growth opportunities, and operations while vetting buyer fit and financial capacity.
Step 3: Working to a Successful Close - Management of due diligence, drafting of legal documents, financing approval coordination, and escrow/closing processes.
The firm's fee structure is entirely performance-based—no upfront fees, with success fees earned only at closing. While specific percentage structures are not publicly disclosed, this aligns with industry standards for business brokerages (typically 8-12% success fees on lower middle market transactions). They emphasize that owners pay nothing until the transaction successfully closes, reducing financial risk for sellers.
Buyer Network
Washington Business Brokers maintains an active network of 3,000+ qualified buyers, including private equity firms, search funds, family offices, strategic acquirers, and individual owner-operators. Their Axial membership (since 2021) provides access to institutional buyers and sophisticated acquirers. The firm has deep relationships with SBA lenders, deal attorneys, and CPAs who facilitate transactions. Typical deal structures involve SBA-financed acquisitions for smaller transactions, private equity buyers for mid-market opportunities, and strategic buyers seeking expansion or add-on acquisitions.
Competitive Positioning
Three key differentiators set Washington Business Brokers apart:
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Owner Mindset - Founder Ryan Hemmert and the team are business owners themselves, bringing authentic empathy for the emotional and practical challenges of selling a company built over decades of hard work.
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Process Excellence - Their systematic approach to valuation, marketing, and negotiation ensures professional, repeatable outcomes. Video marketing materials, compelling visual presentations, and comprehensive buyer qualification create competitive bidding environments.
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Pacific Northwest Focus - Deep regional expertise in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska markets, combined with national reach, allows them to serve local owners with institutional-quality processes.
The firm's team credentials include CPA licensage (inactive), MBA degrees, CBI (Certified Business Intermediary), CBA (Certified Business Analyst) certifications, and active membership in M&A Source, IBBA, and other professional associations. Team members have backgrounds at Amazon, Deloitte Consulting, and Liberty Mutual Insurance, bringing corporate-level rigor to lower middle market transactions.
Not a Fit If
Washington Business Brokers typically declines engagements where: revenue is below $2 million; the business is distressed or requires rapid liquidation; owners are not genuinely committed to selling; or where confidentiality cannot be maintained (e.g., public companies). They focus on going-concern sales rather than asset liquidations.
Team
Ryan Hemmert, MBA, CPA (inactive) - Founder and CEO. 20+ years as a strategy and operations leader, management consultant, and M&A advisor. Previous experience at Amazon.com, Deloitte Consulting, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. MBA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor's in Accounting from Wright State University. Licensed Washington Real Estate Broker. Active member of M&A Source, Washington Society of CPAs, Puget Sound FPA, Northwest Family Business Advisors, and IBBA (2022 Chairman's Circle member).
Craig Walker - Business Development Specialist. 30+ years of experience in sales, marketing, management, and customer service. Entrepreneurial business leader with owner mindset and deep understanding of business building.
Glen Cooper - Strategic Advisor. Nationally recognized author and expert in selling private businesses. Has sold 500+ businesses throughout his career, bringing unparalleled transaction experience to client engagements.
Geographic Coverage
Primary focus on Washington State (Seattle, Bellevue, King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County, Spokane, Eastern Washington) with active coverage of Oregon (Portland Metro, Bend, Central Oregon) and Alaska. The firm serves the broader Pacific Northwest region and can work with business owners nationwide. Office location: Seattle, WA 98199.