Chris Choe

Robin Howard is a Business Broker and M&A Advisor with First Choice Business Brokers Los Angeles. Robin specializes in industry agnostic transactions for small and medium sized businesses up to $50 million. With a passion for community engagement, Robin brings a wealth of skills, dedication, and proactive approach to any organization. His diverse experiences and strategic mindset make them an invaluable asset, capable of driving success and innovation. Robin has a robust background in finance and sales, marked by experience in strategic planning, stakeholder management, and team leadership. He holds a B.B.A. in Finance from Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business in New York City. Prior to his transition into the finance industry, Robin worked as a Luxury Real Estate Assistant, where he managed the entire life cycle of transactions and used innovative marketing strategies to significantly improve client engagement. Additionally, as Co-founder of Red Peak Pass Capital, Robin has demonstrated an ability to drive growth and innovation. He successfully sources and acquires high-value investments, manages complex financial and operational aspects of business ventures, and builds strong partnerships with key stakeholders. Robin is continuing his passion of building businesses by taking a consultative approach with other business owners to help them achieve their financial goals. Robin is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the State of California (Lic#01988942).

Michael D. Preston is a Business Broker Agent with First Choice Business Brokers in Los Angeles. Michael accumulated over 25 years of experience working with businesses to help increase their productivity and improve their profitability. As a 4th generation entrepreneur he has started and run a number of his own businesses and his rare combination of successes in executive coaching, strategic planning, B2B sales and business valuation provides him the hands-on experience and expertise desired to effectively package and execute the sale of your business as well as competently evaluate business opportunities for those looking to buy. Michael is a passionate, resourceful, and results-oriented person who always goes the extra mile to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone involved. Michael is a licensed Business Broker and Real Estate Salesperson in the State of California (Lic#02075182). Michael has won numerous sales awads throughout his career for his commitment to his clients, his exceptional follow up and his ability to exceed his goals and objectives.

As a Business Broker at First Choice Business Brokers Los Angeles, Dev Isemeyer understands the significance of selling a business and the emotions that often accompany the process. She takes pride in guiding business owners through every step with empathy, strategy, and precision—helping them realize the maximum value of their life’s work and transition confidently into their next chapter. With over 30 years of international business experience across manufacturing, retail, and service industries, Dev brings a 360-degree perspective on what drives enterprise value. Her background spans B2B, B2C, and B2G sectors, blending market insight with hands-on ownership experience to deliver results that matter. Dev’s client-centric approach is rooted in transparency, integrity, and discretion. She believes every business has a unique story, and her process begins by understanding that story—then crafting a compelling, data-driven narrative that attracts the right buyers. Through skilled negotiation and precise market analysis, Dev ensures each transaction is structured for a favorable, seamless outcome. Passionate about helping clients move confidently into their next chapter—with clarity, strategy, and success—Dev brings both professionalism and empathy to every engagement. She is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the State of California (Lic# 02385326).

Deanna Dubé is an award-winning Business Broker with First Choice Business Brokers in Los Angeles, specializing in business sales from $50K to $25M across industries including healthcare, food & beverage, entertainment, construction, and more. With 25+ years in finance, entrepreneurship, and consulting—including roles in investment banking at Banc of America Securities and launching two successful ventures—Deanna brings a unique blend of expertise and entrepreneurial insight. Passionate about helping clients achieve success, she guides business owners and buyers through every stage of the transaction to unlock maximum value and long-term results.

I am a Business Broker with First Choice Business Brokers, working with business owners. My focus is on helping business owners understand the value of their company and guiding them through the process of selling their business in a structured, confidential, and professional manner. For many entrepreneurs, their business represents years of hard work and is often one of their most valuable assets. At some point, whether due to changing priorities, retirement, burnout, or new opportunities, owners begin to consider what the next chapter looks like. My role is to help bring clarity to that process — starting with understanding what the business may be worth and what options are available. I assist clients with business valuations, pricing and positioning, confidential marketing to qualified buyers, buyer screening, and managing the transaction through due diligence, negotiations, and closing. Throughout the process, I work to ensure that each step is handled professionally and that the business is presented in a way that attracts serious and capable buyers. I also work closely with buyers who are looking to acquire established businesses. I help them identify opportunities, evaluate financials, and navigate the acquisition process with a clear understanding of what to expect. My background includes an Associate’s degree in Accounting and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, which provide a strong foundation in financial analysis and business operations. I am also a U.S. military veteran, which has instilled in me a high level of discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to following through on every step of the process. I frequently collaborate with CPAs, attorneys, and financial advisors to help ensure a smooth and well-coordinated transaction that aligns with the client’s broader financial and strategic goals. Whether you are considering selling your business now or simply want to understand what it may be worth, I am available as a resource to help you explore your options and make informed decisions.

Melanie Smith is a 3rd Generation Business Broker with First Choice Business Brokers Los Angeles (FCBB LA). Melanie grew up with family dinner discussions revolving around listing, selling, and negotiating. After Melanie graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas she worked in Business Development for FCBB LA, where she aided in acquiring more clients for the brokerage and assisted business owners throughout the sales process. After that Melanie worked as a Residential Real Estate Agent with the top producing team at Keller Williams Calabasas, Team Smith, where she sharpened her negotiating skills. Melanie’s experience in working with business owners and homeowners has enabled her to have a deep understanding of what a client needs in the sale of their business, a proper evaluation, premium marketing, consistent communication, and strong representation to find the right buyers.

Chris Choe is a high-performing sales professional with experience in real estate investment and high-ticket B2B sales. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration - Finance from California State University, Fullerton, and a California Real Estate License, Chris brings a unique combination of financial acumen and proven sales expertise to his role as a business broker. Chris's background began in real estate investment and evolved through working closely with business owners in a coaching environment. Over time, he found that what he enjoyed most was not just structuring the deal itself, but getting to know the people behind the business, understanding their goals, and helping them navigate important decisions with clarity and confidence. That experience led him to business brokerage, where he saw the opportunity to help business owners in a way that is more tailored, flexible, and meaningful. Rather than offering just one path forward, he values finding the right approach for each client's unique situation. Throughout his career, Chris has demonstrated exceptional ability to grow businesses and close complex transactions. He engineered the growth of a lead generation company from inception to over $2 million in annual revenue while managing a portfolio of 60+ accounts. His consultative sales approach and strategic discovery process have consistently delivered results, including maintaining a strong closing rate on high-ticket advisory packages and expertly converting prospects into long-term partnerships. With a solid background working with buyers in real estate investment, Chris brings valuable perspective on how buyers think, act, and move through escrow. That insight helps him better prepare sellers for the process and position their businesses more effectively, ensuring smoother transactions from start to finish. At the core of Chris's work is a simple goal: to help business owners make smart decisions and move forward with confidence. Outside of work, Chris enjoys staying active through bowling and bouldering, trading futures, and spending quality time with his wife and their three cats. He's passionate about travel and exploring new places.