Description

Building a Business Worth Keeping, Growing, or Selling

Join us for an engaging and practical Member Masterclass featuring Jeannie Keen, Owner & CEO of Sunbelt Business Brokers of Roanoke & Lynchburg, and Chad Scott, Vice President and Senior Business Banking Officer at HomeTrust Bank.

For many business owners, their company is their greatest financial asset, yet few truly understand what determines its value or how to strengthen it over time.

This session goes beyond preparing a business for sale. Jeannie and Chad will explore the foundational drivers that create stronger, more resilient businesses—drivers that improve day-to-day operations, increase access to capital, support long-term growth, and expand future ownership opportunities.

Through practical examples and expert guidance, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how lenders, buyers, and investors evaluate businesses, and how intentional planning today can create greater flexibility and success tomorrow.

Whether you plan to own your business for another five years or another twenty-five, you'll leave with actionable strategies to build a stronger business and greater long-term value.

Why Attend?

Every business owner should understand what drives business value—not just when it's time to sell.

This Masterclass will help you:

• Understand what makes a business more valuable
• Build a stronger company through proven value drivers
• Improve your business's readiness for financing or future ownership transition
• Learn what buyers and lenders look for when evaluating a business

What You'll Learn

Building a Business Worth Keeping, Growing, or Selling

Presented by Jeannie Keen

• Why understanding business value leads to better strategic decisions
• The three foundational drivers of enterprise value:
  • Clean financial records
  • Strong systems and documented processes
  • Reduced owner dependency
• How buyers evaluate businesses and why transferability matters
• Why regular business valuations should be part of long-term planning

Financing Business Ownership

Presented by Chad Scott

• Common ways businesses are financed
• What lenders evaluate during the lending process
• Important considerations beyond the purchase price
• How to build the right advisory team
• Practical guidance for prospective business buyers

About the Speakers

Jeannie Keen

Jeannie Keen is Owner & CEO of Sunbelt Business Brokers of Roanoke & Lynchburg, where she advises owners of privately held businesses on enterprise value, ownership transition, and successful business sales. Alongside her husband and business partner, Mike Keen, she has helped business owners across a wide range of industries while also acquiring, growing, and selling businesses of their own.

A nationally recognized speaker on enterprise value and business transferability, Jeannie is passionate about helping owners build stronger businesses that create more opportunities, preserve jobs, and strengthen local economies. Her unique background as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker provides valuable insight into the personal and financial complexities of business ownership transitions.

She is a Certified Main Street Business Broker (CMSBB), Certified Valuation and Exit Planning Professional (CVEPP), Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and an alumna of Leadership Roanoke Valley, the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, and the LEAD Virginia Class of 2026.

Chad Scott

Chad Scott serves as Vice President and Senior Business Banking Officer with HomeTrust Bank, helping business owners secure financing and navigate important financial decisions throughout every stage of the business lifecycle. His expertise in commercial lending provides valuable insight into what lenders look for, how businesses can improve financing opportunities, and what owners should consider when preparing for future growth or ownership transitions.

About the Series

The Member Masterclass Series is designed to deliver practical, member-led workshops that provide real-world tools, expert insights, and actionable strategies you can immediately apply to strengthen and grow your business.