Meet Ginger Adams | Business Broker, Advisor, and Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ginger Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ginger, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
That this industry even exists! Even as a business owner, I did not realize I could get help and guidance in valuing and selling my business. When I was approached by others who wanted to buy my uBreakiFix locations, I wouldn’t even entertain the conversation because I didn’t know where to begin or what to negotiate with. I finally sold my business using an intermediary provided by my franchisor, with full knowledge that he was employed by the company trying to buy my business. Once I sold my business and was looking for my next opportunity, I discovered the business brokerage industry by looking at listings of the top franchise organizations. I was intrigued, and called a couple organizations and watched podcasts to get more information. That’s when the light turned on.
As a former business owner (and a current business owner), I know that most people do not start a business with the exit strategy in mind. They put all their efforts in the business plan, the marketing plan, their vendors and customers and accounting. Now I am seeing many business owners who are wanting to retire but don’t know how. Life changes happen…health and family situations come up, and they feel locked in. I want to let people know it’s best to sell a business while it is at its best, most profitable and with clean books…and it’s easiest to sell when there is an existing team who knows how to run the company. And there are ways to evaluate the numbers and compare the business with others that have sold in the same industry.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a business advisor with Transworld Business Advisors, which is the world’s largest business brokerage network, with more than 250 offices worldwide and having 40 years of experience in the field. We focus on helping business owners buy or sell businesses or expand them into a franchise when they’ve got a great business model. Since the majority of businesses are “main street” businesses, or small businesses you’d typically find along a main street — that is where we spend most of our time. We do also have a team that works with larger business transactions, which are considered mergers & acquisitions. In our advisory role, we typically discuss with the business owner what their goals are and how it compares with their current situation, then talk about a road map to help them achieve those goals. If the business is doing great, but their growth is being impeded, we can talk about buying another business to add to the offerings. Or it may be that they can hone their business model and take on franchisees to open locations to expand the market. We have an experienced department for that as well. If they are looking to leave the business either to focus on another opportunity or retire, we can suggest ways to strengthen the current business and make it as attractive as possible for a new buyer. Then, when the time is right, we can market for and find a buyer, and shepherd the process of deal structuring, negotiating, due diligence, and transition. That way the business owner stays engaged in their business and keeps it running smoothly as usual during the entire process.
I am very excited about this business, because it is a great help to people who are often expected to know all the answers. I only feel qualified to be in this position because I have been there. I opened a franchise of uBreakiFix, a Samsung-authorized service provider for cellphones and all electronics, bought a second location, then sold them both. I have had experienced the anxiety of opening a new store (and turning around a floundering store), the satisfaction of helping customers, and all that comes with building and motivating a team. I have encountered break-ins and theft of customer property, and of course, the uncertainties of the pandemic. Small business owners seem to have just enough time to run the business and put out fires, and very little time to planning an exit from that business.
Prior to opening my stores, I’ve owned a small manufacturing business with my husband for 15 years, and prior to that I was in corporate communications/media relations. My corporate communications experience was very instrumental in helping me think like an executive. My first job out of college was as a publicist for a publicly-traded cable network in the television industry. I worked my way up to trades publicist, where I wrote news releases on behalf of the company to the industry regarding new programs, initiatives, executive appointments and financials. I was in that role when all the shares of that company were bought by a private company, taking it off the publicly-traded market. I fielded calls from the media and arranged interviews with our executives, and watched as our news made headlines. It was fascinating.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Fort Worth, and think it’s the perfect sized city. I’ve lived up North, up and down the East Coast, on the coast of Florida, and am happy to say Fort Worth is home. I would make sure to hit Sundance Square, window shopping in the surrounding shops and trying on the soft coats and wraps at Overland Fur. Then we would have lunch on the rooftop of Reata. In the afternoon, and probably for the rest of the day, we would head up to the Stockyards and check out the cattle drive and Mule Alley. Two other things, but I wouldn’t do them on the same day — would be to go kayaking on Lake Weatherford and also to catch a Broadway musical at Bass Hall. We’ve been season ticket-holders for years! Any of the Tim Love restaurants are fun and interesting: Gamelle, Lonesome Dove — and Jon Bonnell’s Waters restaurant downtown. What’s great about downtown Fort Worth is that feeling that everyone there is out for a special time and we all enjoy seeing each other dressed up and having fun. It feels clean and safe.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to recognize the amazing support of my husband, James. He is the energizer bunny of research, analysis, numbers, opportunities, and support. I know that whatever I do, he will be behind me and make me believe I can do anything. Also, I want to recognize Lisa Marie Graves of Lisa Marie Graves Legacy Coaching, who has built a community of business leaders — especially women — in Weatherford who push themselves to be the best they can be. Through her friendship and guidance I was able to see myself go further than I would have on my own.
And certainly, my faith has taught me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It’s not by my strength alone, that’s for sure. There are plenty of times when I doubt, but then I see the blessings all around me and amazing people doing amazing things and I know that I don’t have to do it alone.

Website: www.tworld.com/weatherford

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transworld-of-weatherford/

Twitter: @tworldbusiness

Facebook: www.facebook.com/transworldbusinessadvisors

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAsWHi53c36NSmrh3lWAAwg