Business Broker

Business Broker in Altadena, CA

Martin Navarro is an Altadena business broker who helps owners along Lake Avenue, Fair Oaks Avenue, and Mariposa Street understand what their business is worth and what their options are. Every conversation is confidential and handled personally, with no upfront fees.

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California DRE #02372118 CABB · IBBA · M&A Source Deals Up to $50M No Upfront Fees

Serving Altadena

Selling or Buying a Business in Altadena

Altadena is an unincorporated foothill community in Los Angeles County, with small commercial districts along Lake Avenue, Fair Oaks Avenue, and Lincoln Avenue. Its businesses have long been independent and locally owned: restaurants, cafes, contractors, salons, auto services, and neighborhood retail. The January 2025 Eaton Fire destroyed or damaged a large part of the community, and many owners are still working through insurance, rebuilding, and relocation decisions.

Every owner's situation is different. Some are rebuilding in place, some have reopened elsewhere, and some are deciding whether to sell a business, a lease position, or equipment. Martin can give you a clear picture of what your business is worth today and what a sale could look like, so you can make that decision with your insurance advisor, accountant, and attorney. There is no cost and no pressure.

As your Altadena business broker, Martin handles businesses of every type and works with owners selling companies up to 50 million dollars. He handles every engagement himself and serves Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County, and throughout Southern California.

Every Type of Business

Altadena Businesses Martin Sells

Martin is not limited to one niche. He represents owners across every sector, from main street to the lower middle market.

Contractors and Trades

Construction, landscaping, and home service businesses, many with strong demand during rebuilding.

Restaurants and Cafes

Independent restaurants, cafes, and bakeries along Lake Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue.

Auto and Repair Services

Auto repair, body, and service businesses serving Altadena and north Pasadena.

Salons and Personal Services

Salons, barbershops, and wellness businesses with loyal local clients.

Neighborhood Retail

Markets, specialty shops, and neighborhood retail serving the community.

Professional and Home-Based Businesses

Consulting, creative, and service businesses run from Altadena and operating across the region.

What Your Altadena Business Is Worth

Most small and mid sized businesses are valued on Seller's Discretionary Earnings, or SDE, which is your net profit with the owner's salary, benefits, and one time or personal expenses added back. A market multiple, commonly 2x to 4x SDE for main street businesses, is adjusted for your lease, assets, growth, and how dependent the business is on you. Larger companies are valued on a multiple of EBITDA.

After a disaster, valuing a business takes more care than usual. Buyers look at earnings before the disruption, the current state of operations, customer relationships, equipment, and whether the location or lease can be restored. Insurance proceeds and business interruption payments are handled separately from the business's value. Martin works from your actual records to give you a realistic range, and coordinates with your insurance and tax advisors so the numbers are treated correctly.

Want a quick estimate first? Use the free business valuation tool, then read how to sell a business and the documents you need to sell a business.

Licenses and Permits When You Sell in Altadena

Because Altadena is unincorporated, a sale follows Los Angeles County rules rather than a city's. Handling these steps early keeps the deal on schedule.

Los Angeles County business license. Certain business types in unincorporated areas need a business license from the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, which the buyer obtains in their own name.
Los Angeles County health permit. Food, beauty, and wellness businesses need their Los Angeles County Department of Public Health permit reissued to the new owner, usually after an inspection.
County zoning and rebuilding permits. Zoning, rebuilding, and use permits run through Los Angeles County planning and public works. A buyer of a business that is rebuilding needs a clear picture of permit status.
ABC alcohol license. Restaurants, bars, and markets transfer the state Alcoholic Beverage Control license through escrow, and the application is started early because ABC review can take weeks.
Lease assignment and bulk sale escrow. The landlord's consent to assign the lease is negotiated alongside a standard California bulk sale escrow with published notice to creditors.

Martin coordinates these steps with your escrow officer, your attorney, and the relevant agencies so nothing becomes a surprise at the closing table.

Example: an Altadena trades business whose owner was ready to retire had a strong backlog of rebuilding work. Documenting that backlog, the crew, and the equipment allowed it to be sold confidentially to a larger regional operator that kept the team in place. This example is anonymized and illustrative.

Working With Martin Navarro

Martin Navarro is a Altadena business broker and M&A advisor who handles the confidential sale and acquisition of businesses of every type, from main street through the lower middle market. He works every engagement personally.

Credentialed and accountable. California DRE salesperson license number 02372118, and a member of the California Association of Business Brokers, the International Business Brokers Association, M&A Source, and ACG Los Angeles.
Background that fits the work. U.S. Marine Corps veteran with dual California State University, Northridge degrees in Business Management and Accounting.
Aligned with you. No upfront fees. Martin is paid only when your business sells and the deal closes.
Regional coverage. Serving Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County, and throughout Southern California.

FAQ

Altadena Business Broker, Common Questions

How much is my Altadena business worth after the fire?

Value is based on earnings history, current operations, and what a buyer can realistically continue.

Most small businesses sell for about 2x to 3x Seller's Discretionary Earnings in normal conditions. After a disruption, the valuation also accounts for recovery status, insurance, and the lease or location. Martin gives you a confidential range at no cost.

What does a Altadena business broker charge?

There are no upfront fees to work with Martin Navarro.

He is paid a success fee only when your Altadena business sells and the deal closes.

How long does it take to sell a business in Altadena?

Most sales take 6 to 12 months from engagement to closing.

Preparation runs 1 to 3 months, confidential marketing 3 to 6 months, and due diligence plus escrow another 60 to 90 days.

Can I sell my Altadena business confidentially?

Yes. Martin markets your business without naming it and screens every buyer under a nondisclosure agreement before sharing details.

That protects your staff, customers, and competitors from learning of the sale before it closes.

What licenses transfer when I sell a business in Altadena?

Because Altadena is unincorporated, the buyer handles Los Angeles County business licensing where required, a reissued county health permit for food businesses, and transfer of any ABC license.

Martin coordinates each step with your escrow and attorney.

Do you sell all types of businesses in Altadena?

Yes. Martin handles businesses of every type, from main street shops to lower middle market companies.

That includes retail, services, manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and franchises, with deals up to 50 million dollars.

What areas around Altadena do you cover?

Martin serves Altadena, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and Sierra Madre.

He also covers Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange County, and throughout Southern California.

Want to know your options?

Get a confidential, no obligation consultation. Martin will tell you what your business is worth and what a sale could look like. The first conversation is always free.

Get a Free Valuation Book a Call

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