We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tatiana Yagecic a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tatiana, thanks for joining us today. Over the course of your career, have you seen or experienced your industry completely flip-flop or change course on something?

In the world of business brokerage, I’ve seen a fairly recent industry shift, a transformation that was long overdue. For years, business brokerage had a bit of an “old guys’ club” reputation, following a traditional model that was more about sealing deals and collecting commissions than really considering the business owners themselves. As a woman younger than most of my colleagues, my perspective was different, but I wasn’t sure what to do about it at the time.

As I got more involved on platforms like Instagram, I began to notice a change. A new wave of brokers was emerging, pushing for fresh ideas, more client-focused services, and a strong commitment to educating business owners about the intricacies of the process.

At the same time, I couldn’t ignore the issue of unprepared business owners who often approached us with sky-high expectations about their business’s value. It was tough delivering the reality check when their business wasn’t even sale-ready. They were preoccupied with day-to-day operations, neglecting the steps needed to make their businesses attractive for potential buyers. And that’s where the first idea for the Business Exit Guide came from.

Let’s face it, the business world needs a boost. Only 20% of businesses successfully sell, and that needs to change. I’m committed to doing everything in my power to make that change happen. And that is not just my effort; it’s part of not only our firm, but a bigger movement within our industry. This movement represents the collective work of a new generation of brokers who are dedicated to changing the game and making a real impact.

Together, we’re determined to strengthen the connections between business owners and their communities, ensuring you’re well-prepared to maximize your business’s value when the time comes to cash out.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi there, it’s a pleasure to share my story with you. My path into the world of business brokerage began through marketing, but it quickly transformed into a passionate mission to help business owners secure the cashout they deserve when selling their business.

My work primarily revolves around providing a range of services to business owners including value assessments and business sales. At the core, I’m a business broker, but my services go beyond the traditional of finding buyers for our listings. I’m all about empowering business owners with the knowledge and tools they need to get the highest return on investment possible when their business sells. This includes guidance on optimizing business value, understanding market trends, and effectively navigating the selling process.

I’m extremely proud of my latest project, the Best Business Broker’s Business Exit Guide. It began with the thought of a newsletter filled with tips and tricks designed to help business owners enhance their business’s value. That idea grew into something more as it evolved. We saw too many business owners coming to us unprepared and a lack of resources to educate them with. After dropping the kids off at summer camp one morning I said to myself, “I’m going to write this thing, and it’s going to make an impact.”

It is now a comprehensive email course, meticulously crafted for easy learning. It’s not your typical business book; it’s more like a series of emails that land in your inbox every week, gently guiding you on the path to increasing your business’s value. It is packed with worksheets, videos and all of the insights we can share. This course will be launching in the coming weeks, and you’ll find more information on my Instagram account. I can’t wait for the world to see it because, in my eyes, this course isn’t just a course – it’s a game-changer, and it’s here to lead business owners toward a brighter financial future.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Let me share the story of how I connected with Dean, the mastermind behind our company. This story is a true testament to seizing unexpected opportunities. It all began when I moved with my family from Denver to Charleston. At that point, I was on the hunt for a job, while Dean was looking to enhance the company’s marketing efforts. Well, thanks to a well-timed introduction from my sister-in-law, our paths crossed, and I got the job of Marketing Manager at Best Business Brokers.

My initial role involved marketing tasks, like managing email campaigns and social media. As I became more involved, it was clear that there was potential for my role to expand. Dean noticed my genuine passion for the work and my eagerness to learn and grow.

Within six months, I was offered the opportunity to become a broker. I dove in, got my real estate license, and over time, my role transformed into something even bigger. My responsibilities expanded beyond marketing and Business Broker duties to areas like HR, training, and operations. I eventually became the COO.

The collaboration with Dean has been a life changing learning experience for me. One that emphasizes the power of seizing opportunities and embracing growth. His belief in my potential and my passion for learning have paved the way for shared success.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

You know, one of my favorite stories from my marketing journey has to be my initiation into the world of Instagram. Back then, I realized something odd – no other brokers around me were really using Instagram for much other than showcasing new listings and throwing out cliché motivational quotes. And I thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way.’ So, I decided to take a leap of faith and get active on Instagram. The only problem? I was a total rookie when it came to Instagram. Reels, stories, video editing – it was like learning a whole new language. Plus, the idea of me appearing on camera was, well, terrifying.

But you know what? I had a message that was too important not to share. I believed I could provide real value to others, and Instagram was sort of my canvas. So, I embraced the discomfort, started creating content, and learned as I went. And you know what’s crazy? It worked. The more I engaged with the process, the more I learned, and my message evolved.

My audience may not be the biggest out there, but they’re engaged, they’re learning, and they’re growing value in their companies. I’m confident that anyone who follows my content will be better equipped to navigate the intricacies of selling their business. And that makes it all worth it.
This story taught me that sometimes the biggest rewards come from stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s like they say, ‘The magic happens at the end of your comfort zone.’

Contact Info:

• Website: https://b3brokers.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_cashout_concierge/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecashoutconcierge
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatianayagecic/