I'm the founder and principal of Conscious Consults, bringing 25+ years of experience founding, scaling, and successfully exiting my own business to every client engagement.
Why I Do This Work
My path to business brokerage began with lived experience as an entrepreneur. I founded a business with an environmental mission, grew it through multiple challenges and market shifts, and ultimately navigated a successful exit. That journey taught me something invaluable: selling a business requires not just technical expertise in valuation and deal structuring, but deep understanding of what this transition means on a human level—the pride in what's been built, the anxiety about letting go, the hopes for what comes next.
Too many business brokers treat transactions as purely financial. I saw an opportunity to serve differently—to bring both analytical rigor and values-driven support to entrepreneurs planning their exits. This is especially true for purpose-driven business owners who've built companies reflecting their values and want to ensure their business continues thriving under new ownership.
A Different Kind of Brokerage
Conscious Consults is a women-led firm, which matters more than you might think in an industry that remains heavily male-dominated. I built this practice intentionally around principles that aren't always prioritized in traditional business brokerage: deep listening, collaborative problem-solving, transparency about process and expectations, and genuine care for the human dimensions of business transitions.
My clients often tell me they chose to work with me because our initial conversation felt different. There was no high-pressure sales pitch, no glossing over difficult realities, no promises that sounded too good to be true. Instead, there was honest dialogue about their goals, realistic assessment of their business's position, and clear explanation of what the process would entail. This approach builds the foundation for successful partnerships.
Focus on Underserved Markets
One of my core commitments is serving business owners who are often overlooked by traditional brokers. Many brokerage firms set minimum thresholds of $1-2 million or higher, leaving capable, profitable businesses under those thresholds without adequate representation. I've built my practice specifically to serve businesses typically valued between $150K-$2M—a vital segment of our economy that deserves professional expertise.
This market segment includes many businesses owned by underrepresented entrepreneurs—women, people of color, and others who face systematic barriers in accessing capital and professional services. For example, research consistently shows that businesses owned by women are undervalued by 30% or more compared to similar businesses owned by men. I'm committed to addressing this market inefficiency by providing the same rigorous valuation analysis, strategic marketing, and expert negotiation support--regardless of who owns the business. To be clear: I serve all business owners who are ready to exit and whose businesses fit my expertise. Gender, race, and background don't determine who I work with. But I'm particularly energized by opportunities to help business owners who might otherwise struggle to find experienced representation, and I bring awareness of systematic biases that can affect valuation and buyer perceptions.
Values-Aligned Approach
I describe my work as serving "purpose-driven" businesses, which means different things to different owners. For some, it means their business explicitly addresses social or environmental challenges. For others, it means they've built a company culture they're proud of or maintained practices that honor their personal values even when those practices cost more or were harder to implement.
What unites these business owners is caring deeply about where their business goes next. They want buyers who will treat employees well, maintain quality standards, honor customer relationships, and steward the business responsibly. These aren't just nice-to-haves—they're central to what would make the exit feel successful.
My approach honors these priorities while remaining grounded in business realities. I help clients think through what's truly negotiable versus what they can meaningfully influence through buyer selection and contract terms. I develop marketing strategies that attract values-aligned buyers while still positioning the business for strong financial outcomes. And I facilitate conversations during negotiation that address both financial terms and the less tangible factors that matter to sellers.
This doesn't mean I only work with businesses that have explicit social missions. Many of my clients are simply entrepreneurs who've built solid businesses and want to exit thoughtfully. But it does mean I understand that for many business owners, this transition is about more than maximizing the purchase price—it's about ending one chapter in a way that feels right and opening the next chapter with confidence.
Experience and Expertise
My career spans both business and nonprofit leadership, giving me broad perspective on organizational challenges and transitions. I've navigated complex operational issues, managed growth through uncertain economic conditions, built strong teams, and made difficult strategic decisions. This hands-on experience informs how I advise clients—I understand the realities of running a business because I've lived them.
As a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), I maintain the highest professional and ethical standards in business brokerage. I stay current on industry best practices, market trends, valuation methodologies, and evolving regulations affecting business sales. This professional expertise combined with real-world experience creates a unique foundation for serving clients.
My involvement in the regional business ecosystem includes serving on the CIC Loan Committee and advising for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). These roles keep me connected to emerging business trends, shifts in the financing landscape, and the evolving needs of business owners across Central Virginia. This network also means I can connect clients with vetted professionals—attorneys, accountants, lenders, and specialists—when transactions require additional expertise.
Geographic Focus
I serve Central Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region, with deep connections to business communities in Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Augusta County, Richmond, Lynchburg, and surrounding areas. While I'm Virginia-based, I've supported business transitions across multiple states and welcome inquiries from throughout the region.
The Businesses I Serve
I work across diverse industries—retail, service businesses, manufacturing, hospitality, professional services, and more. What matters most isn't the industry but rather strong operational fundamentals, sustainable business models, and owners who care about where their business goes next. Many of my clients are first-time sellers navigating unfamiliar territory. Others are experienced entrepreneurs planning their second or third exit.
I'm particularly drawn to businesses where the owner has built something meaningful, whether that reflects their personal values, creates positive community impact, or simply represents decades of dedicated work. These owners deserve a broker who understands that this transition is about more than just the financials.
My Approach
What sets my practice apart is the combination of strategic expertise and personal partnership I bring to every engagement. Selling a business is one of the most significant decisions an entrepreneur will make. It requires expertise in valuation, marketing, negotiation, and deal structuring. It also requires someone who understands what this transition means on a human level.
I take time to understand not just your business financials but your goals for this transition. What matters most to you in a buyer? What timeline works for your life? What would make this exit feel successful beyond the financial terms? These conversations shape how I structure our engagement and ensure I'm advocating effectively for your priorities.
My collaborative approach means you get exactly the expertise your situation requires. While you work directly with me as your primary advisor and relationship manager, I strategically engage specialists from my professional network when your transaction calls for it. This might include specialized tax advisors, industry-specific consultants, commercial real estate professionals, or M&A attorneys. You get the focused attention of a boutique practice with the breadth of resources typically available only through larger firms.
I work on a success-based commission model, meaning I only earn fees when your business successfully sells. This alignment ensures my interests match yours—we're both motivated to achieve the best possible outcome.
Beyond Brokerage
Outside of my business practice, I'm actively engaged in ongoing learning and personal development. I hold a BA in Latin American Studies from Pitzer College and a Graduate Certificate in Social Justice from Harvard University's Extension School. I'm fluent in Spanish, which occasionally proves useful in business contexts but more often enriches my travel experiences.
I'm a parent of two children, an avid traveler, and a dedicated yoga and meditation practitioner. These practices keep me grounded and bring perspective to the work I do with clients—reminding me that business success is ultimately in service of living meaningful lives.
