SUNBELT BUSINESS BROKERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor & Mainstreet Specialist
Job Titles:
- Law and Was a Commercial Banker
- President of Sunbelt Business Advisors, Greater Bay Area
- Principal Broker, and Owner of Sunbelt Business Advisors, Greater Bay Area
Helen Liu has a background in Finance and Law and was a commercial banker for 20 years before she became the Principal Broker of Sunbelt Business Advisors, Greater Bay Area, in 2020. During her banking career, she helped mid-market businesses with cash management and capital funding, and closed and managed over $1 billion in commercial loans. Helen credits her disciplined and ethical approach, and critical thinking when working with clients, to her formal training and experience in commercial banking. She enjoys working closely with her clients towards resolving obstacles and helping them reach their goals. These disciplines prepared Helen to help small and large business clients plan their exit strategies as a business broker.
Helen holds a master's degree in finance and J.D. degree from Seattle University. Helen is a member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB) and IBBA (International Association of Business Brokers).
Helen Liu, President of Sunbelt Business Advisors, Greater Bay Area, acquired the reputable Silicon Valley office from it's founder, Joan Young, in May of 2020. She made the transition from her career in Commercial Banking and Lending when the opportunity arose to use her experience and understanding of business finance, and her education in law, to help business owners plan and execute their exit strategies. Helen brings with her 20 years of working with a wide range business owners, with revenues ranging from $500,000 to $100,000,000, and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Seattle University.
Job Titles:
- Advisor to Sunbelt Business Advisors, Greater Bay Area, CBI®, CBB®
- Member of the California Association of Business Brokers
In 2000, Joan Young acquired SUNBELT BUSINESS ADVISORS, Greater Bay Area, part of the largest business brokerage/intermediary firm in the world. After two decades of advising her clients on preparation for their exit strategies, in April of 2020, Joan sold her successful practice to Helen Liu, a professional Commercial Banker of 20 years with a background in finance and law. Joan's confidence in Helen's principals, business practices and experience working with wide variety of business owners in the Bay Area has allowed Joan to pass the torch to the next generation of professional Sunbelt business brokers.
Joan is now enjoying her retirement but remains in Helen's corner, as an advisor and mentor to Helen and the team.
Joan has been successfully assisting buyers and sellers in small businesses since 1980, long before her venture with Sunbelt. Her diverse business experience ranges from manufacturing and distribution to retail, food, publishing, advertising, placement services, direct and internet sales and, last but not least, business and franchise consulting.
After spending a few years with Memorex Corporation and being named Manager of the Year, Joan co-founded a national publishing franchise company in Ft. Myers Florida and owned two franchises herself in Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida. Joan was VP for three national franchise companies at one time, and in 1990 started FRANNET of the Bay Area, Inc. (FRANNET is the largest franchise consulting group in North America). Joan sold FRANNET in January 2014 after owning it for 24 years.
Prior to starting Sunbelt, Joan worked with one of the premier M&A firms in San Jose for three years. This experience at the M&A firm eventually triggered Joan to acquire SUNBELT BUSINESS ADVISORS, Greater Bay Area, in 2000.
Joan is a member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), has served on its Board of Directors, and holds the Certified Business Broker (CBB®) designation. Joan also instructs the CABB 101 course for new Brokers in the Bay Area. She also belongs to the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) wherein she has been awarded the prestigious and coveted Certified Business Intermediary (CBI®) designation and is an active member of M&A Source.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Education, Transylvania University
John brings to Sunbelt over 30 years of executive and technical experience assisting business owners and buyers in successful transitions. Leading industrial, automotive and consumer companies continue to profit from his vision and leadership. His professionalism and objective negotiation skills have benefitted many small businesses, start-ups and large scale companies. John's integrity has built very strong, long-term relationships with past clients and peers who continue to seek his confidential advice.
After serving in the Navy, John completed his engineering degree. At Crystal Semiconductor he led test development and capital strategies that enabled revenue to grow from zero to $100 Million. As a VP of the spin-off, TDK Semiconductor, he averaged greater than 25% annual sales growth rates. Prior to joining Sunbelt, John worked at Maxim Integrated driving strategic plans that improved engineering and operational efficiencies by more than 15%.
John is a member of the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB). He enjoys the Central Coast, Sierra Mountains and Monterey Bay. John is a board member for a non-profit Service Support Dog foundation that places support dogs with veterans.
Job Titles:
- Broker / Investment Banker, CBB®
John Young (JD) has over 40 years of experience in real estate and business development. Beginning his career as a registered architect, John served in the Air Force as a Command Pilot before returning to private practice. He acquired his General Contractors license and expanded into real estate development and has owned or managed several construction companies over the years.
First licensed in Texas, John has been a licensed real estate professional in California since 1989. While in real estate development, John was responsible for packaging and securing over $150 million in loans for projects from $15 million to over $30 million. A proven negotiator, he managed the development of commercial and residential projects throughout the U.S. and was instrumental in negotiating in cities contracts with contractors, suppliers, venders, and subcontractors to complete those projects.
Over the years, John has owned and operated a health-related professional company and two construction companies involved in both commercial and residential building and remodeling. While doing so, he has become intimately familiar with the financial needs and structures of businesses for growth and profitability.
From 2000 to April 2020, he applied his years of business experience as co-owner of SUNBELT BUSINESS ADVISORS, Greater Bay Area, successfully working with buyers and sellers to structure sales of numerous businesses. John is a proven deal maker and intermediary, bringing buyers and sellers together in win-win solutions. John has dealt successfully in numerous industries, quickly coming to understand the underlying business model and the needs of all parties involved. He has dealt with companies ranging in size from $300,000 to over $20,000,000 in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, construction, business services and medical.
John is now happily retired with his wife of 25 years, Joan, in Central California Coast. John Young is a FINRA registered representative. He also holds the Certified Business Broker (CBB®) designation and the prestigious and coveted Certified Business Intermediary (CBI®) designation. John remains as an advisor and consultant to Helen and the team of SUNBELT BUSINESS ADVISORS, Greater Bay Area.
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor & Mainstreet Specialist