Who We Are
Our Services
Thinking about selling your business? You’re not alone—on average, U.S. businesses change ownership every 7 to 10 years. Since 1996, the founding company and Sunstate Business Brokers have successfully sold hundreds of businesses, with the majority being multimillion dollar sales. Many of these businesses are led by their original founders, who choose to sell for a variety of reasons.
Selling your business at market value can bring significant relief, offering you the opportunity to rest, renew, and realize financial gains by converting your business’s theoretical value into cash.
At Sunstate Business Advisors, we specialize in working with privately held companies headquartered across Florida that have been long established. Our focus is on businesses with 10+ employees, with annual revenues ranging from $2 million to $50 million. Whether you’re planning a future exit or looking to maximize the value of your business, our team has extensive experience guiding owners through the complexities of selling, succession planning, ensuring a smooth and successful transition.
Our Approach
At Sunstate, we begin with a confidential review and complimentary consultation to understand your business’s unique characteristics and guide you through our services. This initial meeting provides clarity on the selling process, associated costs, and what to expect, all while ensuring complete confidentiality. Following the consultation, we conduct a thorough business valuation, analyzing key financial metrics, industry trends, and qualitative factors to deliver an accurate assessment of your company’s worth. This well-supported valuation aids in informed decision-making for your future planning or sale.
Once you decide to partner with us, we prepare your business for sale by creating detailed marketing profiles that emphasize its strengths while safeguarding sensitive information. We then initiate a rigorous pre-screening process for potential buyers to ensure they are serious and financially qualified, requiring them to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) and provide proof of financial capability. As we move through the stages of offer review, negotiation, due diligence, and closing, our experienced team provides continuous support, ensuring all legal and financial aspects are addressed. The entire process from offer acceptance to closing typically spans 60 to 90 days, during which we focus on achieving a smooth and successful transition of ownership.
Buyer Profiles
At Sunstate, we have developed a robust network of hundreds of qualified buyers actively pursuing the right acquisition opportunities. Our qualified buyers include individuals, strategic, industry, private equity and family offices. By partnering with us, you gain immediate access to this well-established buyer pool, which we’ve meticulously built since 1996. When we list a business, we tap into this network to generate interest even before initiating broader marketing efforts, providing you with a competitive advantage from the outset.
Team Members
Tony Dempsey
Business Broker/Owner
Tony Dempsey is becoming the preeminent M&A intermediary on Florida's Gulf Coast, leveraging his extensive background to serve as a trusted advisor to local business owners. With 40 years of experience in senior executive roles and business ownership, along with a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) certification, Tony is uniquely equipped to guide clients through the complexities of mergers and acquisitions.
His comprehensive understanding of business analytics allows him to provide key insights that are crucial for creating and maximizing business value. Tony emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, advocating for business owners to begin developing their exit strategy up to five years before the anticipated exit event. This proactive approach not only positions companies for success but also ensures that their financial metrics align to achieve the highest possible market value.
With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the market, Tony is dedicated to helping Florida's business owners navigate their paths to successful transitions.
Steve Sadowski
Sales Associate
Steve joined Sunstate Business Brokers in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of financial and transactional expertise across multiple industries. With over 15 years of experience, he has honed his skills in helping sellers maximize the value of their businesses and guiding buyers through the intricate process of acquiring a business at the best price.
Throughout his career, Steve has held various roles within finance departments, ranging from Financial Analyst to CFO. This diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of financial strategies and market dynamics, allowing him to provide invaluable insights to his clients.
At Sunstate Business Brokers, Steve is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transaction process for both buyers and sellers, leveraging his extensive knowledge to achieve optimal outcomes.
In his free time, Steve enjoys playing golf and reading, pursuits that allow him to unwind and stay engaged with new ideas.
Our Industries Served
Testimonials
Tony is very knowledgeable in what he does. With that said, he does not stop there but continues to expand his knowledge base through further education and certifications to better serve his clients. If you are looking to sell your business I highly recommend you get Tony involved in the process early.
Jeff M
I have connected Tony Dempsey of Sunstate Business Brokers with several of my clients who are looking into the future of the companies they operate. My clients have indicated that Tony has assisted them in making one of the most important business and personal decisions they will make.
Allan S
Ready to Explore Business Mergers?
Our experienced team at Sunstate Business Brokers is here to guide you through the process. Contact us today for tailored solutions that maximize your value and ensure a seamless transition.
Since the original company was founded in 1996, Sunstate Business Brokers has grown into Florida’s leading business advisory and brokerage firm, specializing in lower mid-market enterprises. Under the leadership of Tony Dempsey, who acquired the company in 2018, Sunstate has built a reputation for guiding business owners through successful transitions. Our expertise lies in succession planning, exit strategies, and maximizing enterprise value to ensure that each business is well-prepared before going to market. With hundreds of completed transactions over the past 28 years, we have proudly assisted as many business owners in navigating the complexities of selling their businesses. At Sunstate Business Brokers, we are committed to providing honest, experienced, and valuable services, tailored to meet the unique needs of every client. Our goal is to help you achieve a seamless transition, ensuring that the legacy of your business is secured for the future.