Looking for an Alternative to Corporate Life? Discover Business Brokerage.

Looking for an Alternative to Corporate Life? Discover Business Brokerage.

By Veronica Cardinale Ellinger, CEO, Murphy Business Sales

Most executives don’t wake up one day and decide to leave corporate. It’s something that builds over time until one question begins to surface: “I’ve invested so much of myself building someone else’s business. Is it time to invest that same effort in something I can own?”

If you have years of experience leading teams, managing operations, negotiating complex agreements, and helping organizations grow, maybe it’s time to consider an alternative to corporate life, were you can building something for yourself: business brokerage.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Murphy Business franchise owners from across North America to learn why they become business brokers, and while every story is unique, I continue to hear the same themes.

Very few brokers I interviewed were looking to walk away from everything they had learned throughout their career. Instead, they wanted to apply decades of experience in a way that was more personal, more meaningful, and allowed them to use their skills and knowledge to grow a business of their own.  franchising a business brokerage gave them path to the life they wanted.

What Does a Business Broker Actually Do?

Business brokers play a vital role in helping entrepreneurs navigate the selling or buying businesses.  Yet, if you asked anyone on the street, most people would not know what a business broker does.

In short, business brokers work with owners who are preparing to sell their businesses and buyers looking to acquire one. Throughout the process, they:

• Determine a businesses fair market value
• Consult with clients on ways to increase a businesses sale-ability
• Confidently prepare and take businesses to market
• Identify qualified buyers
• Manage the process of due diligence
• Negotiate terms between a buyer and seller
• Coordinate with attorneys, CPAs, lenders, and other advisors throughout closing

No two businesses are alike.  No two owners have the same goals. That’s what makes the profession both intellectually engaging and deeply rewarding.

Why Experienced Corporate Professionals Excel at Business Brokerage

One of the biggest misconceptions about business brokerage is that prior brokerage experience is required. In reality, many successful brokers begin with something even more valuable:  years of corporate business experience.

Our network of franchisees comprise of professionals of varying backgrounds, including executive leadership, operations, finance, sales, entrepreneurship, and professional services.

They didn’t leave those experiences behind. They built upon them.

Years spent leading organizations, solving problems, understanding financial performance, negotiating agreements, and earning trust become tremendous assets for business broker.

Leaving Corporate for Business Brokerage is More Than a Career Change

When I ask brokers what they enjoy most about their work, very few begin by talking about transactions.  Instead, they talk about the people.

Wisconsin-based Murphy Business Sales franchise owner and business broker, Patrick McAdams, put it simply, “I get to help people… and I get paid for it, which is even better!”

That simple statement encapsulates what I’ve heard repeatedly from our brokers. Business brokerage isn’t simply about buying and selling businesses, it’s about helping entrepreneurs though decisions that are momentous to them. The choices they make during the sales process impact their future.  Whether it’s retirement or their next great adventure, brokers help clients move on to what’s next in their lives.

“It’s so much fun because the clients are learning, you’re learning, and you’re helping them overcome the stuff in the purchasing process,” Business broker Robin Brown of Texas told me. “You’re watching them be so excited, and I love that part of the business… that you’re changing people’s lives.”

While every broker’s journey is singular, comments like are bound to pop during conversations.  That is because this profession allows them to combine decades of business experience with meaningful, relationship-driven work that makes a lasting difference for their clients.

Leaving Corporate Doesn’t Mean Leaving Your Experience Behind.

One story that illustrates this especially well is Murphy Business broker Hal Feder.

Before becoming a business broker, Hal spent decades with Ford Motor Company in executive leadership.

Today, he continues to leverage that experience by serving buyers and sellers throughout the automotive industry while helping entrepreneurs achieve their business goals.

He didn’t reinvent himself.  He expanded on the expertise he had spent a career developing to build a business that he now grows for himself.

His story mirrors what I’ve heard from many brokers. Business brokerage isn’t about starting over—it’s about putting years of leadership, business knowledge, and life experience to work in ways that help others while building something for themselves.

What You Don’t Know About Business Brokerage Can Be Taught.

Like accounting, commercial real estate, financial advising, or mergers and acquisitions, business brokerage requires specialized knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning.

Professional brokers develop expertise in areas such as:

• Business valuation
• Confidential marketing
• Buyer qualification
• Negotiation
• Due diligence
• Deal structuring
• Transaction management
• Ethics and professional standards

One question I’m often asked is, “How does someone with no brokerage experience learn all of this?”

It’s an important question because business brokerage isn’t something most people simply figure out on their own.

At Murphy Business, we believe success comes from more than an initial training program. It’s built through a combination of structured on boarding, comprehensive education, ongoing coaching, collaboration, and access to experienced professionals who are invested in your success.

New franchisees begin with a comprehensive on boarding process designed to build a strong foundation in business brokerage. From there, learning continues through hands-on training, one-on-one coaching, operational guidance, and continuing education as brokers grow their businesses.

One of the things I value most about our organization is the willingness of our network to support one another. Our franchisees regularly collaborate, share knowledge, and learn from experienced brokers who have navigated transactions across a wide variety of industries and business sizes.

When additional experience is needed on a transaction, brokers also have access to support from seasoned professionals within the Murphy network. That collaborative approach allows franchisees to continue developing their expertise while delivering the high level of service clients expect.

Business brokerage is ultimately a relationship business—not only with clients, but within the professional community itself. In my experience, having a network of people who are willing to share their knowledge, answer questions, and provide guidance creates an environment where continuous learning never stops.

Is Leaving Corporate Life for Business Brokerage Right  for Everyone?

Not necessarily. The brokers who seem to thrive tend to share several characteristics.

• They’re naturally curious.
• They’re internally motivated.
• They enjoy solving problems.
• They’re relationship builders.
• They communicate well.
• They value trust.
• Most importantly, they genuinely enjoy helping people.

Like any professional endeavor, success requires commitment, continuous learning, adaptability, and consistent effort. franchising a business brokerage firm requires dedication, hard work and strong desire to succeed.  This sales cycles for landing clients and selling a business are both longer than most (it generally recommended throughout the industry that those starting out should have at least one year’s worth of living expenses to cover the gap.)

David McGill, a Murphy Business Sales franchisee who started his Utah based firm a year ago said, “When I come on board, people where telling me that it’s going to take a year, to get your first deal. And I ‘m thinking, ‘Not me.  I’m going to get my first sale in two months.’  And it’s literally nine months later and we just closed on our first transaction. And I’m excited… This is my favorite career I’ve ever had. I just wish I would’ve started five years ago.”

Is this Alternative for You? Questions Worth Asking Yourself

If you’re thinking about getting out of corporate, consider asking yourself:

• Do I enjoy helping people solve meaningful business challenges?
• Would I enjoy building long-term trusted relationships?
• Am I energized by learning something new?
• Do I want to continue using the experience I’ve spent years developing?
• Am I able to keep motivating myself through the ups and downs of the industry and business ownership?
• Do I have the burning desire to build something I can call my own?
• Am I good at helping someone navigate through a complex processes?
• Am I good at keeping people motivated and focused on a common goal?

If those questions resonate, business brokerage may be worth exploring.

Looking for an Alternative to Corporate Life? Let’s Continue the Conversation.

Whether business brokerage ultimately proves to be the right fit or simply introduces you to a new possibility, I hope this article has given you a clearer understanding of a profession that many experienced leaders never knew existed.

If this article has sparked your curiosity, one of the best ways to continue your research is to learn more about the profession directly from those who work in it every day.

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 1PM EST,  I’ll be hosting a live educational webinar:

Beyond Corporate: Is Business Ownership Your Next Strategic Move?

Designed for experienced executives, business owners, and professionals considering what’s next, this session offers an inside look at business brokerage and franchise ownership. We’ll discuss what business brokers do, why demand for their expertise continues to grow, and how they help entrepreneurs navigate one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives.

During the webinar, we’ll explore:

• Why business brokerage is a growing profession driven by today’s business transition market.
• What business brokers do and how they guide business owners and buyers through acquisitions and sales.
• How Murphy Business prepares franchisees through comprehensive training, coaching, and ongoing support.
• The skills and experience that translate well into business brokerage.
• What it’s like to build your own business while helping entrepreneurs achieve their personal and financial goals.
• How the Murphy Business franchise model supports franchisees from launch through long-term growth.

Whether you’re actively evaluating franchise ownership or simply exploring what comes after corporate leadership, this webinar is designed to provide a realistic overview of the profession and give you the opportunity to ask your questions during a live Q&A.

I hope you’ll join us.

About the Author

Veronica Cardinale Ellinger is CEO of Murphy Business and Murphy Business Sales Franchise. She works closely with business brokers, franchise owners, and business owners across North America and regularly hosts educational webinars focused on business brokerage, business ownership, and career transitions. Through firsthand conversations with brokers from different professional backgrounds, she shares practical insights into the skills, mindset, and relationships which define successful business brokerage professionals.

 

Important Disclosure

This article is created solely for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as an offer to sell a franchise or as a representation regarding financial performance or potential earnings. Success in business brokerage depends on many factors, including individual effort, experience, market conditions, and the business model selected. If you are considering the purchase of a franchise, carefully review the applicable Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and conduct your own independent due diligence before making an investment decision.

 

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