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Denise Houghtaling, CMAP, CBI, CEPA, ABI, SVA

Built. Scaled. Sold. | Operator-Turned-Advisor for Owner-Led Businesses

Company
Southern Country Business Advisors

www.scbizadvisors.com

Saint James City, Florida

Southern Country Business Advisors is a Southwest Florida–based business brokerage firm specializing in structured exits for operator-led and privately held businesses.

Founded by Denise Houghtaling — an operator-turned-advisor who has personally built, scaled, and sold multiple businesses — our firm approaches transactions with firsthand operational experience and disciplined execution.

We understand that selling a business is more than listing it. It requires preparation, positioning, financial clarity, and a structured process to protect leverage and maximize outcome.

Our team of four licensed advisors serves clients throughout Southwest Florida and across the state. We work with established, cash-flowing businesses across a range of industries, particularly those with operational complexity, equipment, crews, contracts, or recurring revenue models.

Our focus is consistent:

• Reducing owner dependency
• Normalizing earnings
• Identifying and mitigating buyer risk
• Running disciplined, confidential processes
• Protecting deal structure through closing

Some businesses are market-ready. Others benefit from preparation 12–24 months in advance. In both cases, structure determines outcome.

Operators build value.
Structured exits protect it.
Services Offered
Southern Country Business Advisors provides structured exit advisory and transaction management for operator-led and privately held businesses throughout Southwest Florida and across the state.

Our services are designed to protect leverage, reduce risk, and guide owners through disciplined, confidential transactions.

We provide:

Business Valuation & Exit Planning
Independent valuations and pre-sale structuring for owners preparing 12–24 months in advance.

Sell-Side Advisory
Strategic positioning, confidential marketing, buyer screening, negotiation, and structured deal management through closing.

Acquisition Advisory
Representation for buyers seeking established, cash-flowing businesses with strong fundamentals and durable operations.

Mergers & Strategic Transitions
Guidance for owners exploring partnerships, partial exits, or strategic combinations.

Our approach prioritizes:

• Financial normalization
• Owner dependency reduction
• Risk identification before diligence
• Competitive buyer processes
• Structured negotiation and documentation

We work with established, cash-flowing businesses across a range of industries — particularly those with operational complexity, equipment, contracts, recurring revenue, or team-based execution.

Selling a business is not a listing event. It is a structured process.

Operators build value.
Structured exits protect it.
About

Denise S. Houghtaling is an operator-turned-advisor with decades of experience building, acquiring, and selling privately held businesses across Florida.

Before advising others, Denise personally built, scaled, purchased, and exited multiple businesses of her own. She understands firsthand the operational pressures, financial risks, and emotional realities that come with ownership. One of her ventures was ultimately sold for ten times its original purchase price — the result of disciplined growth, margin protection, and strategic positioning.

That experience now shapes how she structures transactions for her clients.

Denise is a Licensed Real Estate Broker (since 1989) and holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI), Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional (CM&AP), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designations. She has represented sellers and buyers in transactions ranging from closely held, owner-operated companies to larger multi-million-dollar enterprises throughout Florida, including Southwest Florida and Broward County.

Her background includes ownership and operation of recycling and waste businesses, sitework and trucking operations, equipment-intensive service companies, and franchise enterprises. This operational depth allows her to evaluate businesses not just on revenue, but on structure, durability, and transferability.

Denise focuses on:

• Exit planning and pre-sale preparation
• Normalizing financial performance
• Reducing owner dependency
• Structured, confidential marketing processes
• Protecting leverage through disciplined negotiation

She believes selling a business is not a listing event — it is a structured transition that requires preparation, clarity, and strategic execution.

Operators build value.
Structured exits protect it.

Expertise

Experienced in but not limited to the following services and sectors. Contact for a full list.

  • Building & Construction
  • Service Businesses
  • Transportation & Storage
  • Sales of Family or Partner Owned Businesses
  • Valuation Services
  • Exit Planning Services
Licensed In
Florida
BK263499
Affiliations
  • CM&AP - Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional CBI - Certified Business Intermediary CEPA - Certified Exit Planning Advisor ABI - Accredited Business Intermediary SVA - Senior Valuation Analyst Business Broker of Florida State Board Member Business Broker of Florida SWF Director at Large IBBA Member BizBuySell.com Member Licensed Real Estate Broker
Agents
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Serving: Lee County, FL

Southern Country Investments, Inc is a licensed Florida business broker company specializing in the waste, recycling, construction and green industries. Our broker, Denise Houghtaling and her team have owned and operated successful businesses and...

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Serving: Lee County, FL

ABI - Accredited Business Intermediary

10+ years of experience in Real Estate/ Commercial Real Estate

I have experience as both a Real Estate investor and Business owner, which allows me to offer valuable assistance to you...

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Serving: Lee County, FL

Born and raised in Rye New York, Dave is a decisive and compassionate associate known for his extensive market analysis and trends. Moved to Florida in 1985 and grown and prospered as much as the area. He earns the respect of buyers and sellers to...

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