I love my garden. It’s my happy place. With my hands in warm dirt and face to the sun, my heart and
soul are nourished. I simultaneously find and lose myself in my blossoming wonderland.
A�er the pandemic hit, I spent a lot of time in my garden. It gave me peace, solace and a beautiful space
to stay in regular contact with all my clients. We commiserated and strategized as we figured out the
labyrinth of PPP funds.
My garden also gave me the space to figure out a playbook for the uncertainty of our new normal. As
any IBBA member will tell you, uncertainty is an integral part of every aspect of the business broker
hustle. Learning to get comfortable with uncertainty is a requisite for sustainable success.
In April, 2020, I realized I had to figure out how to navigate our changing circumstances. Admi�edly, there
were moments of panic and denial but the feast/famine nature of brokering had become commonplace
for me from selling businesses for over 15 years. The same truism that guided me all these years was as
valid now as ever before: I can’t control what is happening; I can only control my reaction.
Was my reaction going to be panic? Denial? Maybe something be�er? Pondering options, my garden
illuminated my path forward. For a garden to thrive, you must nurture the soil and plant new seeds.
Despite this uncontrollable circumstance, all I could control was my own growth. With the pandemic-
induced business slow-down, it was time to double-down on my brokerage and profession. It was time
to nurture and plant.
To nurture my professional growth, I decided to pursue my Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)
credential. It was always on my to-do list and now I wanted it to help propel me & my brokerage forward.
I took the necessary courses and a�ended the 2020 conference online. Preparing for the CBI, helped me
organize and solidify my professional knowledge. It helped me fill in gaps and create a comprehensive
protocol for brokering businesses.
When it came to planting seeds for my brokerage’s growth, I decided it was time to invest in digital
marketing. Five months before the pandemic, I rebuilt my underperforming company website.