Memberships:
Contact Broker
1801 Woodfield Drive,
Savoy, Illinois 61874
(View Map)
About the Company
SVN | North Star is a leading commercial real estate and business brokerage firm based in Champaign, Illinois. With over 40 years of experience, our team specializes in investment-grade real estate, business sales, 1031 exchanges, and wealth transfer strategies. We are committed to empowering buyers and sellers through trust, clarity, and leadership.
Our expertise extends across business brokerage, helping owners navigate sales, acquisitions, and financial stability. We also facilitate transactions in multifamily developments, hospitality, medical and veterinary spaces, and industrial properties. With a client-first approach, we ensure smooth transitions and maximum value in every deal.
As part of SVN International Corp., we provide national reach while maintaining deep local expertise. Whether buying, selling, or investing, our team is dedicated to helping clients succeed.
Key Highlights:
*Full-service real estate and business brokerage solutions
*Decades of expertise in wealth transfer and strategic transactions
*Diverse experience across multiple property types and industries
*National resources with personalized, local service
Broker Biography
Introduction
My career has taken me from the classroom to the boardroom—and even to the firehouse and basketball court. As a business professor, broker, firefighter, EMT, and referee, I’ve learned that no matter the setting, success hinges on trust, ethics, and a deep commitment to service. These qualities form the backbone of my work with business owners and commercial real estate investors.
With an MBA from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois and over a decade in banking, I’ve built expertise in debt capital, business valuation, and exit strategy development. As a business broker, I’ve helped entrepreneurs navigate high-stakes transitions, using clear communication and meticulous planning to achieve optimal outcomes.
For over 24 years, I’ve been a faculty member at Gies, where I’ve guided more than 6,000 students and led 1,500+ consulting projects for businesses ranging from Fortune 100 companies to family-owned enterprises. These experiences have taught me the power of collaboration and the importance of crafting innovative, client-focused solutions.
Having owned a small business myself, I understand the critical role a business plays in its owner’s financial portfolio. Similarly, for commercial real estate investors, I recognize how property acquisitions and dispositions are key to building and preserving wealth. Whether it’s maximizing the value of a business exit or structuring a real estate deal, I thrive on problem-solving to create strategies that align with long-term financial goals.
Now, as a member of the SVN North Star team, I specialize in guiding business owners and investors through wealth transfer and financial stability strategies. Through networking, I connect clients to the right opportunities, resources, and partners, ensuring they achieve meaningful, lasting success.
Services Provided
SVN North Star business brokerage targets its valuation products, and buyer/seller representation at lower middle-market ($2 – $50 Million) businesses in the Midwest, and smaller businesses within a radius of about 250 miles from Champaign, Illinois.
Areas Served
Licensed In
- Illinois — License number 952982
- Indiana — License number 952982
- Kentucky — License number 952982
- Wisconsin — License number 952982
Professional Affiliations
MBBI
Business For Sale Listings
Champaign, IL Established Auto Repair Business with Expansion Potential Includes Property Financing available Includes Real Estate
Profitable, well-known, market leader. This business is a respected transmission repair shop with a reputation as a trusted service provider. The price for this opportunity includes the business and the property because the owner wishes to retire. Key Highlights:-Respected Reputation: 40+ years of trusted transmission repair. -Profitable: Average revenue for the previous 4 years is $610,000/year.-Established: Current staff would like to remain, and the owner is willing to help with the transition.This is a great opportunity for an investor or owner-operator looking to expand in the auto service industry! Less
Cash Flow: $66,075
Champaign, IL Established Vape Shop Vape Shop and Specialty Items
ESTABLISHED VAPE SHOP - CHAMPAIGN, IllinoisBUSINESS OVERVIEWTurnkey vape retail operation with 6 years of continuous operations on high-traffic Neil Street corridor near Market Place Mall. Strategic Interstate 74 proximity offers accessibility and visibility for sustained customer acquisition.OPERATIONAL METRICSBusiness Age: 6 years established operationsLocation: Neil Street, high-visibility commercial corridorProximity: Adjacent to Market Place Mall retail hubInventory Status: Fully stocked, operational readyCustomer Base: Established loyal clienteleOperational Model: Turnkey, immediate revenue generation capabilityMARKET POSITIONEstablished in the local vape industry and demonstrating Less
Cash Flow: $251,450
Illinois
View Details Lumberyard & Building Supply Center
TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH A CENTURY-PROVEN BUSINESS MODELStep into immediate profitability with this established lumberyard and building supply center that delivers what you need for success in Southwestern Illinois.WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU:Immediate Market Position: You'll inherit over 100 years of community trust and brand recognition, eliminating the years typically required to build customer loyalty from scratch. This translates to immediate cash flow and reduced marketing costs.Built-In Revenue Streams: Tap into established relationships with local builders and suppliers that provide consistent cash flow, especially crucial during your ownership transition period. No need to chase customers - they're already here.Expert Team Ready to Drive Your Growth: Your experienced staff brings deep product knowledge and established customer relationships, allowing you to focus on strategic growth rather than daily operations Less
Decatur, IL
View Details Billiards, Bar, and Restaurant
When you pull into the parking lot, it doesn't look like much. But when you walk in, it feels comfortable. You notice the brightly lit pool tables, the friendly bar, and smell the fish frying on a Friday, and you know you're in the right place! This established bar and billiards venue in Decatur, IL, features over 3,000 SF of space with five pool tables, a full kitchen, and a vibrant atmosphere. The property at 858 W Green St has ample parking and room to expand. Popular for its menu favorites and loyal customer base, this property is ideal for investors or entrepreneurs in the hospitality or entertainment industry. Turnkey opportunity with existing revenue streams. There are a number of ways to increase revenue. The property has value for alternative endeavors. Less
