Brett Ethridge

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." -- Mark Twain That's the philosophy Brett Ethridge brings to every buyer and seller he works with at Sunbelt Business Brokers of Northern Virginia. Brett's own path into business ownership started in graduate school, when he built a company from scratch and grew it to seven figures in annual sales, generating enough passive income to step off the traditional career track. That success gave him the freedom to launch a second business in the EdTech space in 2010, where for more than two decades he helped aspiring MBAs earn top scores on the GMAT, GRE, and Executive Assessment exams to get into their first choice programs. That firsthand experience building, growing, and eventually stepping back from businesses of his own is what led Brett into brokerage. He started as a franchise broker, helping people find franchise concepts that matched their skills, goals, and stage of life, and now brings that same matchmaking instinct to Main Street business sales and acquisitions across the Mid-Atlantic. Brett holds an MA in International Finance from the University of Denver and a BA in Public Policy from Duke University. He's currently pursuing a certification in Exit Planning, adding another layer of value for owners who want to get their business ready for sale years before they actually list it. What Brett brings to the table: ‣ Firsthand experience building, running, and exiting his own businesses, not just advising from the sidelines ‣ Specialized insight into franchise resales from his background as a franchise broker ‣ A buyer's-eye view of deal structuring, LOI support, due diligence, financing, and getting deals to the closing table, valuable whether he's representing a buyer or a seller ‣ The backing of Sunbelt Business Brokers, the largest business brokerage network in the world Outside of work, Brett's most important roles are husband, father of four, and child of God. He lives on a small family farm in East Tennessee with his wife, four kids, three horses, 28 chickens, a dog, and a cat. He co-hosts The Faithful Fatherhood Podcast, and when he's not working with clients, you'll find him hiking in the Smoky Mountains, riding horses with his wife, rowing on the Tennessee River, or serving with his local church. He believes good business, stewarded well, creates opportunity and leaves a lasting legacy for the families behind it. That's the mindset he brings to every deal. Oh, and Go Duke!

Before I helped people buy and sell businesses, I built, ran and sold multiple. That experience shapes how I work with every client. I know what it feels like to wake up at 3 AM thinking about payroll. I know what it means to pour years of your life into something — the wins, the close calls, the relationships you build with your team and your customers. And I know that when it comes time to sell, what you're handing over isn't just a balance sheet. It's a story, a legacy, and in many cases, your largest financial asset for others a weight to move along. That perspective is why confidentiality and trust are the foundation of how I run every engagement. My approach with sellers When you list a business with me, the world doesn't find out. Your employees don't find out. Your customers, your competitors, and your suppliers don't find out. Buyers see a carefully prepared Confidential Information Memorandum only after they've signed an NDA and demonstrated financial capability. Your name, your location, and the specifics of your business stay protected until a serious, qualified buyer is in front of you. I take the time upfront to understand what you've built, where the real value lies, and what a successful exit looks like — not just financially, but personally. Some sellers want maximum price. Some want the right buyer who will take care of their team. Most want both, in different proportions. My job is to understand which version of success matters to you and build the deal around that. My approach with buyers Buying a business is part numbers, part fit, part timing. I take time to understand what you actually want before sending listings your way — the kind of work that energizes you, the hours you can sustain, the financial picture you're working with. From there, I bring you opportunities that align, and I'm honest when something isn't a fit. I'll walk with you through financing conversations, due diligence, franchisor approvals, and closing — answering questions along the way so you can make decisions with clarity rather than guesswork. Specialty: franchise resales A significant portion of my practice is built around franchise resales. Franchise transactions come with their own layer of complexity — transfer approvals, franchisor relationships, training requirements, FDD considerations — and I navigate that landscape regularly on behalf of both sellers and buyers. Backed by the largest brokerage network in the world I'm part of Sunbelt Business Brokers of Northern Virginia, which is part of the global Sunbelt network — the largest business brokerage organization in the world, with a track record of selling more businesses than any other firm. That means access to a national buyer pool, proven valuation methodologies, and a team of experienced professionals behind every deal I work on. Let's have a conversation Whether you're a year or two away from selling, actively planning your exit, or searching for the right business to acquire, I'm happy to have a confidential, no-pressure conversation about what you're trying to accomplish. Reach out anytime.