Small Business Breakthroughs with Ohio Business Brokers Association

Join the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College for a podcast-style discussion designed to dig into the topics that are impacting your business and keeping you up at night.

Buying or selling a small business can be one of the most important financial decisions an entrepreneur will ever make. Whether you're considering acquiring an existing business, thinking about selling your company someday, or simply wondering what your business is really worth, understanding the process can help you make better decisions.

Join us on September 24 at 11:30 a.m. for a live recording of Small Business Breakthroughs featuring Emmet Apolinario, President of the Ohio Business Brokers Association, for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about what business owners and entrepreneurs need to know about buying, selling, valuing, and preparing a business for transition.

This conversation will go beyond the headlines and focus on real-world considerations for entrepreneurs navigating business acquisitions and ownership transitions.

Emmet Will Discuss:

• Buying a Business
• What Makes a Business Valuable
• Preparing to Sell
• The Acquisition Process
• Due Diligence
• Financing an Acquisition
• Common Mistakes
• Exit Planning
• Working With a Business Broker
• Building a Stronger Business

This live recording will connect Emmet's decades of real-world experience with practical SBDC resources, giving you actionable insights you can use whether you're thinking about buying a business, preparing to sell one, or simply building a more valuable company.

You don't have to be ready to buy or sell a business today to benefit from understanding what makes a successful transition. The best time to start planning is before you need to.

Space is limited. Register today to reserve your spot and receive the Zoom link.

We look forward to having you join us!

Guest: Emmet Apolinario
Emmet Apolinario is one of Ohio’s most experienced and respected business brokerage professionals, bringing more than 22 years of leadership in confidential business ownership transfers, exit planning, and small‑business advisory work. Over the course of his career, he has successfully completed 350+ business ownership transfers and sales, guiding entrepreneurs through one of the most consequential financial and personal decisions of their lives.

Emmet serves as the President of the Ohio Business Brokers Association (OBBA), a role he has held for 18 years, making him the longest‑serving president in the organization’s history. Under his leadership, OBBA has strengthened professional standards, expanded statewide collaboration, and elevated the visibility of business brokerage as a critical component of Ohio’s small business ecosystem.

Nationally, Emmet is the Ohio Affiliate Chair for the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the largest and most influential business brokerage association in the world. In this role, he represents Ohio’s brokerage community on the national stage, supports professional development initiatives, and helps shape best practices for intermediaries across the country.

Across his advisory work, Emmet is known for his commitment to owner education, value‑building strategies, and practical, real‑world guidance that empowers entrepreneurs to prepare for successful transitions. His insights are grounded in decades of hands‑on dealmaking, community leadership, and a deep belief in the economic importance of small business.

Today, Emmet continues to champion Ohio’s business owners — helping them build stronger companies, plan smarter exits, and navigate the complex journey of selling a business with clarity and confidence.

Host: Michael Bowers, CBA - Director, Ohio SBDC at Columbus State Community College

Michael Bowers is a Business Advisor and Director for the Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Columbus State Community College. The primary focus of the SBDC is to support prospective and existing entrepreneurs as they seek to start and grow businesses in Central Ohio.

Michael holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance from the University of North Alabama and a Master’s in Public Administration from The Ohio State University. Michael is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Public Administration from Liberty University.

Michael has worked with entrepreneurs and small business owners for over 30 years, 20 of which have been in Columbus leading the SBDC. He has a diverse business skill set with experience in banking, private equity, strategic planning, leadership, and public sector management.

Michael is the lead instructor for the Basis of A Successful Enterprise (B.A.S.E) business startup training, as well as the host of the Small Business Breakthroughs YouTube series.