Member Profile: First Choice Business Brokers Willamette Valley

First Choice Business Brokers Willamette Valley supports clients across Oregon through the business sales and acquisitions process. The Springfield Chamber recently connected with David Doperalski, Owner of First Choice Business Brokers, to learn more about the organization.

Tell us a little about First Choice Business Brokers Willamette Valley.
We are a premier Business Brokerage and M&A firm that facilitates successful business sales and acquisitions by connecting qualified buyers and sellers under strict confidentiality. We have become a trusted resource for our referral partners and business owner clients, not only in Lane County, but throughout the state of Oregon, because of our commitment to confidentiality, honesty, and integrity. Our Oregon office is independently owned and operated by myself and my business partner, Lonnie Woodruff. We operate within a network of offices located in over 34 states, providing national reach and exposure for our business clients.

How did you get started in your industry?
My journey in business started in corporate sales and management roles at large and midsize companies over the first 15 years of my career. Around the mid 2010s, I learned about an emerging trend in business called Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). ETA is when aspiring entrepreneurs purchase established cash flowing businesses from owners looking to retire, relocate, or refocus. Then, they work to grow and improve the business without the startup risk of large investments in unproven products or services. I was hooked.

I made my first business acquisition in 2016, followed by two additional acquisitions in 2021 and 2022 and a spin-off startup in 2023. It wasn’t always easy, and not every acquisition went to plan. Overall, the experience opened many doors and helped me grow as a person. I also got an experienced-based professional education on how to value, market, finance, structure, acquire, and sell businesses.

As I scaled myself out of some prior acquisitions, I questioned what was next. I had advised friends and connections through their entrepreneurial journeys, and I really loved the process. I also met many business owners who felt trapped in their businesses, unable to retire or move on because they didn’t have anyone providing a realistic exit plan. I wanted to help. I had worked through business brokers on several acquisitions, and one broker, Lonnie, impressed me with their knowledge, honesty, and integrity. We became fast friends and ultimately launched First Choice in the Willamette Valley as business partners.

What services do you offer and what makes First Choice Business Brokers Willamette Valley different?
We help business owners sell their businesses through a highly confidential process whereby employees, customers, competitors, and the public at large are not privy to the knowledge that the business is up for sale. There are negative consequences to this information becoming public, including employee turnover, loss of customer confidence, and competitors taking advantage of the situation.

The process generally involves assessing a business’s market value, working with the owner’s financial advisor, CPA, and legal counsel to structure the sale, and getting the business sale ready. We confidentially market the business to our local and nationwide network of qualified buyers and negotiate the best offers for our clients. Once we have an accepted offer, we help coordinate financing, contracts, licensing, closing, and post-acquisition transition.

What do you like most about your work?
I love helping the community. When a business owner perpetuates their business through a successful sale, everyone wins. Employees keep their jobs, customers continue to receive quality goods and services, and entrepreneurs can control their destiny. Owners/sellers unlock the value of one of their largest assets and enjoy the next chapter in their lives—all while seeing their legacy continue to thrive.

Any advice for others?
Many business owners get unsolicited offers from competitors, individuals, and private equity firms. If you are one of these business owners, you should reach out and run it by us as a sanity check. Hint: it’s not usually a great offer. These folks are looking for deals for them, not for you. In most cases, if you run a good business with relatively consistent cashflow, your business is likely financeable (the Small Business Administration is truly one of the greatest gifts from our government). This means you do not have to take on the financial risk of seller default or carry a large promissory note over a long period. It’s not a physical property that essentially retains its value under various circumstances. An unscrupulous or unqualified buyer can quickly run your former business dry and leave nothing left to repossess.

Additionally, in the case of private equity firms, there is no reason you have to stay on with the business for five to seven years, continue operating it as an employee, and have your ultimate compensation tied to a complex earn-out formula that is out of your control.

A competitor wants to buy you out? What happens when you give them your customer list during due diligence, and the transaction doesn’t close? Consult a broker to understand the process and the traps. Use us to understand the market and the real value of your business. Make sure your buyer is qualified, has the ability to complete the transaction, and is willing to protect your legacy.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Social media raising public awareness, recent corporate layoffs, and white-collar fatigue have brought qualified buyers into the small to mid-size M&A market. It is a seller’s market for good quality businesses. If you are thinking about selling, the best time to engage with us is now, even if it’s a few years before you plan to exit. We can help you position your business for its best market value. Consultations are free, and we welcome you to reach out with questions. We want to see businesses perpetuate for the good of the community. Call us any time, as we are always happy to help.