Let’s get the deal right.
Selling your business?
I work with owners of established, well-structured New Zealand businesses to achieve a sale that reflects what you've built. Strategic, discreet, and focused on the right buyers rather than the widest audience.
Call or message for a confidential, no-obligation appraisal. A clear view of what your business is worth today — and what it could be worth at sale — is the right place to start. It stays between us.
What I do
A sale is more than just a price
Getting the best outcome means good preparation, finding the right buyer, and navigating the details — from the first appraisal right through to settlement.
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A grounded appraisal
A clear-eyed view of what your business is worth today, and the levers that drive — or cap — that value. No inflated number to win your listing, just an honest basis to plan from.
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Access to serious buyers
Value in a business like yours is realised through the right buyer, not the widest audience. I work discreetly with qualified domestic and international buyers — private buyers, private equity, corporate acquirers, and established operators.
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Through to settlement
I stay involved through negotiation and due diligence so nothing falls over at the last minute — and where it helps get the sale across the line, I'll bring in other brokers and their buyer networks too. You won't be left to figure it out alone.
Before you list
Is your business ready to sell?
Buyers are drawn to businesses that can run well without the owner, with a capable team and tidy numbers behind them. An honest look at where yours sits is a good first step — well before anything needs to go to market.
🧭 A frank readiness check
I'll take a considered look at the things a buyer tends to focus on — how much still rests on you, the strength of your team, and how your earnings and reporting present. If it's not quite the right moment yet, I'll say so, and explain why.
🛠️ Getting it sale-ready
If there's groundwork worth doing first, I'll advise you of what it is. Often it's this preparation, as much as the sale itself, that creates the real value.
Michael (Mike) Keeton
Business Broker · Barker Business Brokerage Ltd
I've spent over 12 years brokering business sales in the mid-to-upper market, with particular depth in marine and technology. Before broking, I built and led my own company for more than a decade — so I understand, from the inside, what it takes to build something worth selling, and what's at stake when you decide to exit.
My approach is built on integrity, clear communication, and early planning to position your business for maximum value. I'm straightforward to deal with, and I'll always tell you what I honestly think.
Marine
Technology & IP
Manufacturing
General business
what owners say
“As the director of a significant services business, I've had the pleasure of dealing with Mike Keeton for the past two years while we prepared our business for sale. His advice has been invaluable — helping us focus on the key areas of the business to drive profitability before going to market. Mike is a trusted partner in the sale, and I'd recommend him to anyone looking to sell their business.”
MC · Director, services business · 5.0 / 5.0
your privacy comes first
A sale stays between us until you say otherwise
For most owners the biggest worry isn’t the price — it’s staff, suppliers, or competitors finding out too early. Here’s how I protect that.
📝 Buyers qualify before they learn who you are
A signed confidentiality agreement is only the start — your identity stays protected until I’m satisfied there’s a genuine fit.
🔒 Nothing goes public without your say-so
No listing, no marketing, no mention of your name until you’ve decided you’re ready and agreed how it’s handled.
🤐 Discreet from day one
Your staff, suppliers and competitors won’t hear it from me. The first conversation is private, and it stays that way.
Start a confidential conversation
Tell me a little about your business and I'll come back to you personally — usually within a day. No obligation, and nothing goes any further than this message.
If you'd simply like a confidential, no-obligation appraisal, that's a good place to start. I also publish a regular update on the mid-to-upper market — ask for the latest issue.
Prefer to talk?