I've Walked in Your Shoes as a Business Owner and Seller

What sets me apart isn't just my financial background and expertise.  It's my firsthand experience as a business owner who has bought and sold multiple companies. I understand the emotional and practical challenges you're facing.

• I speak your language - I help translate complex financial concepts buyers are looking for into clear, actionable insights for your business.  From EBITDA to customer acquisition costs I can clarify and simplify the process.   
• I know the emotional journey - Selling a business you've built can be deeply personal. I provide both technical expertise and emotional support.
• I focus on relationship-based transactions - Creating win-win outcomes that build long-term value for all parties.

"My approach combines financial acumen with practical business ownership experience. I don't just see numbers—I see the years of hard work, dedication, and vision behind them."

Having been a CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional) since 2003, and in his various roles in finance, Derek has helped successful business owners prepare, plan for, and execute the various strategies and transitions in their life. As an entrepreneur, he has personally been a part of 8 business buy/sell transactions, and advised countless clients through a wide variety of their transactions putting him in a unique position to understand, relate to, and advise on the wide range of aspects of an entrepreneurs journey.

Past roles include Senior Wealth Planner with Cobiz/Colorado Business Bank (now part of BOK Financial), Wealth Advisor with the Private Wealth Services Group at Sagemark Consulting/Lincoln Financial Advisors, Tax Specialist roles, along with Entrepreneur/Owner/Operator of an offset printing company, a tax preparation company, a financial planning firm and a payroll franchise.   

Derek graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver with an Aerospace Science degree and minor in Business with extensive additional studies, licenses and courses in business and finance. Past licenses include IRS Enrolled Agent, Series 6, 7, 63, 65. He continues to maintain his Real Estate and Life/Health insurance licenses.

An astute observer of business strategy, Derek loves to explore how a company makes its' money, how it works, what their financials look like, their processes, systems, teams and looking for the ways they can best utilize those resources in their unique offering for profit and how we can most effectively prove and showcase that value.

Outside of work, Derek loves to travel, sail, kiteboard and off-road motorcycle with occasional showings with a driver on a tee box. He recently returned from sabbatical where he spent 16 months sailing over 8,000 miles to 8 countries and territories throughout the North Atlantic and Caribbean seas and all 14 states on the East Coast of the U.S.