Capital Business Brokerage Partners with Walsh College and Oakland Thrive for “9 to 5 to CEO: From Employee to Entrepreneur Through Acquisitions”

Troy, Michigan — Capital Business Brokerage is proud to partner with Walsh College/Walsh Ventures and Oakland Thrive for an upcoming business ownership event, “9 to 5 to CEO: From Employee to Entrepreneur Through Acquisitions,” taking place on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM at Walsh College in Troy, Michigan.

The event will feature Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II as a special guest and will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs, business professionals, advisors, and community leaders to discuss one of the most practical pathways to entrepreneurship: acquiring an existing business.

For many professionals, the road to ownership does not begin with a startup idea written on a napkin. It begins with identifying, acquiring, and growing an established company with existing customers, employees, systems, revenue, and community impact.

Capital Business Brokerage, a Farmington Hills-based mergers and acquisitions advisory and business brokerage firm, will help lead the conversation on how acquisition entrepreneurship can expand business ownership across Michigan and create new opportunities for individuals seeking financial independence, career growth, and long-term wealth creation.

“Too many people think entrepreneurship means starting from zero,” said Haroon Bhatti, Principal and Managing Director of Capital Business Brokerage. “But acquiring an existing business can be one of the smartest and most realistic paths to ownership. You are stepping into something that already has momentum, customers, employees, and infrastructure. The opportunity is learning how to evaluate it, finance it, negotiate it, and grow it the right way.”

The program will explore several key topics, including:

Expanding Business Ownership Across Michigan
Attendees will hear how acquisitions can help more individuals transition into business ownership while supporting local communities, preserving jobs, and strengthening Michigan’s small business economy.

The State of Small Business Acquisitions
The discussion will address the current market for small business acquisitions, including buyer demand, seller expectations, financing options, and the growing interest in entrepreneurship through acquisition.

What It Takes to Close a Successful Deal
Capital Business Brokerage will share practical insight into the acquisition process, including business valuation, due diligence, financing, offer structure, negotiations, and closing considerations.

The event is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to own a business, professionals considering a transition from employment to ownership, and advisors who support buyers and sellers in the small business and lower-middle-market space.

“Buying a business is not just a financial transaction,” Bhatti added. “It is a major life decision. The right deal can change the direction of someone’s career, their family’s future, and the legacy of the seller who built the company. That is why education, preparation, and the right advisory team matter.”

Capital Business Brokerage’s participation reflects the firm’s broader mission to educate business owners, buyers, and professionals on the realities of buying, selling, and transitioning privately held companies. Through events like this, the firm aims to help demystify the acquisition process and make business ownership more accessible to qualified, prepared buyers.

Event Details

Event: 9 to 5 to CEO: From Employee to Entrepreneur Through Acquisitions
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Rd, Troy, MI
Featured Guest: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
Hosted By: Oakland Thrive, Capital Business Brokerage, and Walsh College/Walsh Ventures
Registration: https://zurl.co/Zv1mx

About Capital Business Brokerage
Capital Business Brokerage is a Farmington Hills-based mergers and acquisitions advisory and business brokerage firm serving Main Street and lower-middle-market business owners. The firm helps clients confidentially sell, acquire, value, and transition businesses through a structured, advisory-driven process focused on maximizing value, protecting legacy, and helping buyers and sellers navigate complex transactions with clarity and confidence.

About Haroon Bhatti
Haroon Bhatti is the Principal and Managing Director of Capital Business Brokerage. He advises business owners and buyers on valuation, exit planning, acquisition strategy, deal structuring, financing, negotiations, due diligence, and successful transaction closings. Bhatti holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Finance from Walsh College and has been recognized by the International Business Brokers Association for his performance in the business brokerage and M&A advisory profession.