Seller Story: A Full-Circle Entrepreneurial Journey

The Deal Board

Andy and Jessica welcome you to another episode of The Deal Board Podcast. Today, they have the opportunity to feature a past business owner who worked with Transworld to review their entrepreneurial story from start to finish! Joining them is Laura Haftel from tugboat & the bird, a unique and high-end boutique that offers a curated selection of kids’ clothing, toys, gifts, and more. In this episode, Laura shares how she came to own a children’s boutique, how the decisions we make during economic downturns set us up for success in good times, and why she decided to retire after 22 years in the business. You’ll also find out where the name came from, how to distinguish between noise and useful feedback about your business, why the customer experience is so crucial, and so much more!

Listing of the Week:

Brian Martin from Transworld Business Advisors of Dallas Fort Worth Central is selling a pizza franchise with good brand recognition in North Collin County, Texas. A buyer will likely need a $250,000 cash down payment to close the deal, along with some available bank or seller financing. Email Brian Martin at [e-mail] or call him on [phone].

Key Points From This Episode:

• [03:58] What led Laura to become a store owner after being a buyer for Macy’s and the Gap.

• [07:23] A valuable lesson on protecting your assets and income when the market is down.

• [08:52] How Laura’s business adapted and innovated in response to COVID-19.

• [14:05] Where the name, tugboat & the bird, came from and what the boutique was like when she bought it from the original owners.

• [16:50] When to tune out the noise and when to take on valuable feedback.

• [17:36] Insight into why Laura decided to retire after meeting her initial goals.

• [21:38] A glimpse at the future: what’s next for Laura after 22 years at tugboat & the bird?

• [22:57] Why providing shoppers with “the right experience” is so valuable.

• [24:00] Laura’s practical, why-focused advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

• [26:02] Deal of the Week: How Tina Wright, Owner and President of Transworld Business Advisors of Raleigh, walked the owner of a traffic equipment distribution company through the sale of his business and provided him with the support he needed.

• [28:45] Listing of the Week: Brian Martin (Dallas Fort Worth Central) is selling a pizza shop in North Collin County, Texas. Interested buyers should have a $250,000 cash down payment, plus available bank or seller financing.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

The Deal Board Podcast

Subscribe to The Deal Board Podcast YouTube Channel

The Deal Board on LinkedIn

The Deal Board on Facebook

United Franchise Group

Transworld Business Advisors

Transworld on Linkedin

Transworld on Facebook

Call us on [phone]

Email us at [e-mail]

Laura Haftel on LinkedIn

tugboat & the bird

tugboat & the bird on Instagram

tugboat & the bird on Facebook

The Little Book of Bull Moves in Bear Markets

Email Tina Wright on [e-mail] or call her on (919)-605-2854

Email Brian Martin at [e-mail] or call him on [phone]

#thedealboard #transworldbusinessadvisors #realestate #commercial

Quotes:

“[The] theory that I always have [is to] just keep your shelves stocked and be better than anybody else. People are always going to want to spend money on their kids.” — Laura Haftel [0:12:45]

“When you’ve got a small, local, family-owned business, there’s just nothing like it – People still want to come in, they want to have an experience, – they want to touch and feel the product. – If you provide the right experience, I don’t think there’s anything that will ever take [its place].” — Laura Haftel [0:23:18]

“You have to be really confident in what you’re doing. If you want to go into business for yourself, your idea has to be unique and different – Who is your competition? How are you going to do it better?” — Laura Haftel [0:24:36]