9 to 5 to CEO: From Employee To Entrepreneur Through Acquisitions
Schedule
Tue Oct 21 2025 at 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Walsh College | Troy, MI
About this Event
9 to 5 to CEO: From Employee To Entrepreneur Through Acquisitionsđź“Ť Walsh College Auditorium, Troy Campus
📅 Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Doors open at 5pm for Registration/Check-In and Networking
Presented by: Oakland Thrive, Walsh College & Capital Business Brokerage
Agenda
đź•‘: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
5:00 – 6:00 PM Registration Check-In & Networking Hour
Info: -Light refreshments served
-Attendees can connect with SBA lenders, panelists, brokers, and business support partners
-Resource tables from Oakland Thrive, Walsh College, and Capital Business Brokerage
-Early access to the “Business Acquisition Starter Toolkit”
đź•‘: 06:00 PM - 06:10 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Info: Speakers:
Justin Ibe, Small Business Consultant, Oakland Thrive
Daniel Sem, President, Walsh Ventures
Haroon Bhatti, Managing Director, Capital Business Brokerage
Theme: How small business acquisitions provide a direct and impactful path to entrepreneurship.
đź•‘: 06:10 PM - 06:20 PM
Expanding Ownership Across Michigan
Host: Justin Ibe, Oakland Thrive
Info: Learn more about: -Michigan’s new $500K pilot program for employee ownership
-The role of inclusive ownership in statewide economic development
-The role of aspiring entrepreneurs in shaping Michigan’s Main Street future
-Why now is the moment for aspiring entrepreneurs to act
đź•‘: 06:20 PM - 06:50 PM
The State of Small Business Acquisitions
Host: Presenter: Haroon Bhatti, Capital Business Brokerage
Info: -What makes a business sellable
-What serious buyers need to know
-Market data, valuations, and financing trends (SBA 7a/504)
-Why businesses under $2M are ripe for acquisition
đź•‘: 06:50 PM - 07:20 PM
What It Takes to Close a Deal
Host: Justin Ibe, Oakland Thrive
Info: Panelists & Topics:
Yasmin Whitmer, M&A Attorney, Whitmer Group
â–¸ Legal process, LOIs, due diligence, and risk mitigation
Huntington Bank has been Confirmed, waiting on who they will send
â–¸ SBA loans, seller financing, and structuring deals
Leslie Jones, CPA & Founder, L.M. Jones and Associates
â–¸ Financial analysis, tax implications, and red flags
Haroon Bhatti, Owner and Business Broker, Capital Business Brokerage
â–¸ Deal flow, common mistakes, and exit strategies
đź•‘: 07:20 PM - 08:00 PM
Networking & Live Q&A
Info: -Audience Q&A with panelists and partners
-Continued networking over refreshments
-Explore partnership opportunities with Oakland Thrive, Walsh College, and business lenders
Where is it happening?
Walsh College, 3838 Livernois Road, Troy, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 20.00
