The Best Business Brokers in Jacksonville, FL (2026): An Honest Local Guide
Jacksonville is the largest business-for-sale market in Northeast Florida, and it has the broker bench to match: national franchise offices, established independents, and several of the most decorated individual brokers in the state. That depth is good news for sellers, but it also means the real question is not whether you can find a broker in Jacksonville. It is which person you should trust with your sale.
I’m Ryan C. Winter, a licensed business broker with Truforte Business Group, based just down A1A in St. Augustine and working with owners across Northeast Florida and the state. I compete with everyone on this list, so read it knowing that, but as with my statewide guide to the best business brokers in Florida, my goal here is an honest map: who these brokers are, what they are strongest at, and how to choose among them. Everything below comes from each broker’s own website and public credentials.
The Rule That Matters Most: Hire a Person, Not a Logo
Several names below are franchise brands with offices everywhere. Your outcome will not be decided by the brand; it will be decided by the individual who carries your listing, screens your buyers, and negotiates your price. Jacksonville happens to be home to some genuinely excellent individuals, several of whom work inside those big brands, so this list leads with the people.
Individual Brokers Worth Interviewing in Jacksonville
John Geiwitz, Transworld Business Advisors
Individual broker, Certified Business Intermediary. John Geiwitz is the top-producing Transworld broker in Northeast Florida and has been recognized by Business Brokers of Florida as one of the top deal makers in the state. Before brokerage he founded and ran his own technology companies and holds 17 patents from his engineering career, which shows in how he handles complex, larger transactions: his deals run roughly from $500K to $30 million. If your Jacksonville business has real scale, John belongs on your interview list.
Kimberly Deas, Murphy Business
Individual broker: Murphy franchise owner for Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. Kimberly Deas runs the Murphy Business operation for Northeast Florida from her Jacksonville office, focusing exclusively on selling businesses with revenues up to roughly $10 million. What sets her apart is her exit-planning orientation: she invests significant time each year teaching and coaching owners on preparing their businesses for sale, which is exactly the mindset that produces well-prepared listings. For main street sellers who want a process-driven, education-first broker, Kimberly is a strong choice.
Jason Godwin, Florida Business Exchange
Individual broker: Managing Partner at FBX. Jason Godwin advises owners on lower middle market transactions up to roughly $50 million in enterprise value, and his award shelf is remarkable for how quickly it filled: IBBA Platinum Chairman’s Circle, BBF Top Dollar Producer, and BBF Top 50 broker every year since 2020, alongside district leadership within Business Brokers of Florida. FBX, founded in 1990 and one of the state’s largest independents, gives him deep firm resources including an active Jacksonville office. For businesses beyond main street size, Jason is one of the strongest options in the region.
Ryan C. Winter, Truforte Business Group
Individual broker, based in St. Augustine, serving Jacksonville and all of Florida. This is me, so weigh it accordingly. I represent owners across Northeast Florida through Truforte Business Group, a statewide brokerage selling Florida businesses since 1994. My model is simple: a deliberately small book of clients, preparation-first engagements that start with a free and honest valuation, success fees only at 12 to 15 percent for main street deals with the Lehman scale above that, and no upfront fees ever. Jacksonville sellers get a broker who answers his own phone, backed by a statewide buyer database.
Jacksonville Firms and Offices Worth Knowing
Transworld Business Advisors of Jacksonville (Bianca Evans)
Franchise office. The Jacksonville Transworld operation, led by Bianca Evans under the My Florida Business Broker brand, is one of the highest-volume brokerages in Northeast Florida, covering Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau, Flagler, and Volusia counties. Volume brings buyer traffic, and this office has plenty of both. As with any franchise, ask which agent will personally handle your file; John Geiwitz above shows the caliber this office can field.
Gateway Business Advisors (Gary Hallett, Nancy Hallett, and Cal Heseman)
Boutique firm with named principals. Gateway is a Jacksonville boutique where you know exactly who works your deal: Gary Hallett, whose background spans small business ownership and corporate franchising leadership; Nancy Hallett, an accountant by training with Fortune 100 M&A experience who leads valuations; and Cal Heseman, a full-time broker since 2005 who has advised on more than $100 million in transactions. For sellers who want senior attention without a franchise structure, Gateway is a strong interview.
Quorum Business Advisors (Anthony John Rigney)
Founder-led firm. Quorum is a Jacksonville-based full-service brokerage led by founder Anthony John Rigney, working deals roughly in the $300K to $10M range across Northeast Florida, with membership in the IBBA, Business Brokers of Florida, and the American Business Brokers Association. Founder-led means the individual-broker benefit comes built in.
Green & Co. Business Brokers
Independent team. Though based on the Gulf Coast, Green & Co. covers Jacksonville as part of its statewide footprint, and client reviews consistently praise the team’s professionalism and communication. A worthwhile addition to your comparison if you want an independent with statewide reach.
Quick Comparison
| Broker | Individual or Company | Based | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Geiwitz (Transworld) | Individual, CBI | Jacksonville | Larger deals, $500K to $30M |
| Kimberly Deas (Murphy) | Individual, franchise owner | Jacksonville | Main street sellers, exit planning focus |
| Jason Godwin (FBX) | Individual, Managing Partner | Jacksonville | Lower middle market and M&A-size deals |
| Ryan C. Winter (Truforte) | Individual | St. Augustine | Sellers who want one dedicated broker with statewide reach |
| Transworld Jacksonville | Franchise office | Jacksonville | Maximum listing volume and exposure |
| Gateway Business Advisors | Boutique firm | Jacksonville | Senior, named-principal attention |
| Quorum Business Advisors | Founder-led firm | Jacksonville | Regional deals $300K to $10M |
| Green & Co. | Independent team | Sarasota area | Independent option with statewide reach |
What Makes Jacksonville Different for Sellers
Jacksonville’s buyer pool is the deepest in Northeast Florida: corporate professionals leaving Fortune 500 employers, military retirees from the Navy bases, logistics and healthcare operators expanding through acquisition, and out-of-state buyers landing at one of the fastest-growing metros in the Southeast. Deals here also lean harder on SBA financing than smaller markets, which makes clean books decisive. If you are two or three years from selling, my guides on increasing the value of your Jacksonville business and fixing owner dependency are the place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best business broker in Jacksonville?
It depends on your deal size and what you value, and this page was written by a competing broker, so verify everything independently. For larger transactions, interview John Geiwitz and Jason Godwin. For main street sales, talk to Kimberly Deas, Gateway, Quorum, and me. Then choose the individual whose honesty, valuation reasoning, and attention convince you.
What do Jacksonville business brokers charge?
Success fees at closing, typically 10 to 15 percent for main street businesses, with sliding scales like the Lehman formula on larger deals. My standard range is 12 to 15 percent with no upfront fees. Full breakdown in my guide to business broker fees in Florida.
My business is in St. Augustine or St. Johns County. Does this list still apply?
Mostly yes, since every broker above works the full Northeast Florida region. But St. Augustine has its own market dynamics and its own bench of brokers, which I cover in my companion guide to the best business brokers in St. Augustine.
Start With an Honest Number
Whichever broker you interview, walk in knowing what your business is actually worth. I offer every Jacksonville owner a free, confidential opinion of value with no obligation, even if you end up choosing someone else on this list. Call (904) 789-1276 or start with the free valuation calculator.
If you are ready to talk specifics, see my business brokerage services for Jacksonville.
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