By Tiphanie “Tipp” Spradlin, Business Sales Advisor, First Choice Business Brokers of NW Florida
After twenty-nine years in the U.S. Air Force, I learned that every successful mission starts with a clear plan, reliable teammates, and an understanding of the objective. Those same principles apply to business ownership — and especially to the moment when it’s time to move on to what’s next.
As a Business Sales Advisor with First Choice Business Brokers of Northwest Florida, my mission is simple: to help local business owners navigate the process of selling their business or planning their exit with the same discipline and integrity that guided me throughout my military career.
Transitioning from the military into entrepreneurship taught me firsthand how much overlap there is between service and small business. Both demand commitment, leadership, and a willingness to adapt. Through my involvement with Boots to Business, the Veterans Business Outreach Center’s training program for transitioning service members, I’ve had the privilege of helping fellow veterans explore what it takes to start, grow, or eventually sell a business of their own. Many are surprised to discover how transferable their military skills are from operational planning to risk management to leading teams under pressure.
That’s where FCBB NW Florida comes in. We specialize in helping owners understand what their business is worth, how to prepare for sale, and how to attract qualified buyers. Whether it’s a family-owned restaurant, a construction company, or a service business built from scratch, each one represents years of effort and personal investment. My role is to make sure that investment pays off and that owners have a clear, confident path to their next chapter.
What I love most about this work is seeing the sense of pride that comes when an owner realizes the value they’ve created. Selling a business isn’t an ending; it’s a handoff. Just like in the military, it’s about leaving things better than you found them and ensuring the next team has what they need to succeed.
If you’re a local business owner thinking about retirement, expansion, or simply planning ahead, I’d be glad to share what I’ve learned about valuations, exit strategy, and the market trends shaping our region. And for my fellow veterans — whether you’re looking to buy a business, sell one, or build a new mission from the ground up — I’m here to help you translate your experience into opportunity.
Tiphanie “Tipp” Spradlin serves as a Business Sales Advisor with First Choice Business Brokers NW Florida. A U.S. Air Force veteran and Boots to Business guest speaker, she helps entrepreneurs and retiring owners plan, value, and sell their businesses across the Gulf Coast. Learn more at panamacitybeach.fcbb.com.
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