For most business brokers, the first year is typically defined by a steep learning curve and a slow-building pipeline. Sheldon Kirk’s experience has been different. Leveraging 15 years in the franchise sector and a deep understanding of the resale process, Sheldon has seen a surge in listings and sales throughout his first nine months in the industry.
Immediate Momentum
Since beginning his business brokerage career in May, Sheldon closed a notable transaction in November and has three more deals scheduled to close over the next 30 days. For someone still in their first year, that kind of back-to-back momentum is rare.
An “X-Ray” View of Business
Sheldon’s results come from 15 years of preparation as an accountant and financial advisor for a corporate franchise company with 300 locations. He also managed construction for new retail stores, working with architects, general contractors, and local permitting offices — an experience that gave him a front-row seat to how a business is built from the ground up, both financially and physically.
“As an accountant, there was no better place to work than in the back offices of small-business owners,” Sheldon says. “You get to see an x-ray of how their hard work and processes directly grow their business.”
The “Perfect Mentee”
While Sheldon’s background gave him the tools, his mentor, Georgia-based broker Tom Crumpton, attributes his success to a relentless work ethic. The two were first connected when Britney Mroczkowski, the Designated Managing Broker for eXp Commercial in Florida, recommended Tom as the right mentor to help Sheldon navigate the industry.
The two were first connected when Britney Mroczkowski, the Designated Managing Broker for eXp Commercial in Florida, recommended Tom as the right mentor to help Sheldon navigate the industry. Britney has been closely following his trajectory.
“I am so impressed by Sheldon and what he has accomplished in his first year,” Britney says. “He has become the go-to business broker for franchisees in his specialized sector, and I am very proud of him!”
Tom agrees, noting Sheldon’s discipline. “Sheldon is the perfect mentee. He isn’t afraid to pick up the phone and do the hard work of prospecting, and his attention to detail is second to none. He is incredibly conscientious; he ensures every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed so that there are no surprises at the closing table for his clients.”
Why eXp Commercial?
Before making the jump into business brokering, Sheldon interviewed several top firms. He ultimately landed at eXp Commercial because of the autonomy and reach the platform provides. He wanted the freedom to set his own terms, giving him the flexibility to be fair to his clients, while also being able to handle deals nationwide without the typical friction of traditional brokerages.
This has already led to collaborations with other eXp Commercial brokers on transactions in both Georgia and Texas. As Crumpton noted, “I have a licensee in one state as a mentee to a mentor in another state, and he’s doing deals across the country. That’s what the eXp model does that nobody else can do.”
Navigating the Franchise Resale
Selling a franchise involves layers of complexity, including franchisor policies and approval processes that are often out of the seller’s direct control. Sheldon’s 15 years within franchise systems allow him to anticipate these hurdles before they arise.
“When clients trust you to handle their most important transaction, it’s an incredible responsibility,” Sheldon says. “Being acutely aware of the franchisor’s policies and process keeps the transaction on track.”
A Focus on Quality for 2026
Even with a full calendar of upcoming closings, Sheldon isn’t interested in just chasing numbers. As he looks toward 2026, he’s doubling down on being an expert for his clients.
“For 2026, my goal isn’t volume. It’s to continue dedicating my expertise to each client, helping them achieve their target sales price and providing as smooth of a transaction as possible.”