Our Great People

Brendon Crabtree has been with Coastal Business Brokers for seven years and has recently taken over as Owner and Licensee. Brendon has had an intensive sales and business development career that has equipped him to professionally advise business operators on marketing, sales negotiation, business development, staff motivation and managerial skills. Brendon’s primary goal is to help everyone concerned get the absolute best possible result achievable through Coastal Business Brokers.

Paul has over 28 years' experience in selling, marketing and management, dealing with small to medium sized businesses.  This, combined with owning his own business and ultimately selling it, ensures that Paul has empathy for both the buyer and seller, and will work tirelessly to achieve a positive result. His community involvement as both an active member of the Surf Lifesaving movement and rugby union coach, means Paul is a real "people person". You can count on Paul to achieve the best possible result, whether buying or selling a business.

David Bentley started Coastal Business Brokers in June 1997 as a “one man band” from a serviced office in Maroochydore. From a standing start, he steadily built the business by recruiting and training the most successful team of brokers on the Sunshine Coast, building the business to the point where it sold more businesses than any of its competitors. David sold the business in January 2008 to Brendon Crabtree, one of the original brokers he recruited and trained. He now chooses to do what he enjoys most, and that is, selling businesses. He has sold literally hundreds of businesses and has gained a depth of experience and knowledge in selling and valuing businesses that few brokers can match. David loves the “thrill of the chase” in listing and selling businesses and now receives a high degree of referral and repeat business from previous clients who have either bought or sold through him. He enjoys the constant challenge, the intense negotiating and the need for perseverance to see the transaction settle successfully. David is one of the very few accredited REIQ business brokers and business valuers on the Sunshine Coast and was awarded the “Business Broker of the Year” in 2001 and 2003, achieved the “Top 100 Business on the Sunshine Coast” in 2004 and “Queensland Top 400 Business” in 2005.

With over 23 years experience in management and consultancy in both professional and commercial environments, Louis brings a range of outstanding skills to Coastal Business Brokers. This, combined with his experience in owning, managing and subsequently selling his own businesses, provides Louis with a unique and valuable insight for both business sellers and buyers alike.

He has a proven track record of selling many varied businesses over a number of years and has extensive experience in continuous business improvement strategies, systems design and implementation in large and small company environments.

He applies this experience and knowledge to assist sellers and buyers in maximising their business investments. From small enterprises to multi million dollar companies, his expertise delivers results, fast. In fact, Louis has sold many businesses within one or two weeks of listing them! For those that take a little longer, his ‘never give up' attitude ensures a successful outcome regardless of the obstacles involved. Utilising high negotiation skills, business expertise and extensive business broking knowledge, Louis always strives to accomplish the smoothest ownership transition possible and has consistently delivered outstanding results for his clients. Underpinning all of this is his honest and ethical approach to doing business.

"Selling or buying a business is not a walk in the park. I know - I've done it myself! Besides preparing marketing material, deciphering financial reports, risk assessment, and handling enquiries and negotiations, there are also many legal considerations to take into account. You can enjoy peace of mind by having a professional and experienced broker handle all stages from valuation, marketing, enquiry through to sale and settlement. I will see your project through from inception to reality and am committed to deliver outstanding service and support throughout".

Leanne Petherbridge's intensive business background culminated in her working in partnership with husband Kim (see below) in their own computer and IT business in Sydney and building it up to 17 staff before successfully selling and moving here. She has more than 20 years' combined experience in selling, marketing and business development with a history of top customer service and communication. Her powerful problem-solving skills coupled with a strong grasp of business and profit-making strategies make her a great person to work with. Whether you're selling your business and just want to fine-tune it before-hand, or whether you're looking to buy a business with real potential for growth, Leanne is a great ally with sound, practical knowledge and strong negotiation skills.

After spending 13 years in the corporate IT world both here and in London, Kim started his own computer consultancy business in Sydney in 1980 which was aimed at supplying small to medium-sized companies with complete system solutions.The company, Accolade, initially specialised in PC & network systems before diversifying into accounting software.  This included the hugely successful Attaché accounting program and the company became Australia's leading consultancy on this. Kim's wife, Leanne, (see above) joined him in the business in 1991 and together they worked rapidly on a growth strategy that included several business acquisitions and a number of mergers. Their business was sold after building it up to a client base to over 500 companies, a staff of 17 and increasing sales many tens of times over.The family then took to the water spending two years sailing around Australia before finally settling on the Sunshine Coast.Kim brings many years of business experience to Coastal Business Brokers, including a deep, personal understanding of computerised accounting and business systems. You can call on Kim for down-to-earth help on buying or selling a business, backed by his own real knowledge and experience!

After 15 years in the hospitality industry Brett certainly knows his way around people! He has an Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in Sydney and has taken himself all around Australia and the world with stints in England and also the French Alps.

Brett has been on the Sunshine Coast since 2001, with the last 5 years as the owner and manager of one of Mooloolaba's favourite restaurant and entertainment venues 'Vibes at Mooloolaba'. Having owned and operated this significant business in the ever-growing town of Mooloolaba he knows the full in's and out's of the industry and the infrastructure of the town. When he sold the business through Coastal Business Brokers he saw the way they sold the business and that helped him decide which direction he wanted to take next.

"A good positive attitude is what it takes and I will do anything in my power to make a sale or purchase happen in the most efficient and smoothest way", he said.

With success in distributor business sales and development in a leading company as State Manager, owning and selling a number of small businesses, and managing a Youth Services Centre for Mission Australia, Adrian has developed sound skills in identifying and targeting opportunities for the best outcomes.

No pushy "foot in the door sales" here! Sound business practices, attention to detail and respect has led to top sales results through prompt communication of all relevant facts and solid customer service. He believes that knowledge breeds confidence and creates the freedom to embrace exciting new opportunities.

If you are looking for positive, successful outcomes for your business future with the largest, most successful Brokers on the Sunshine Coast, talk with Adrian and the team at Coastal Business Brokers.

Kelly has over 8 years experience in sales and marketing, dealing with both mums and dads through to owners of large sized businesses. This combined with starting up and running a successful metal polishing business, means that Kelly is focused and driven. Kelly has been on the Sunshine Coast since 2001.  Within this time she has had the opportunity to build strong networks within the community, sponsoring her local Cricket club and being a valuable helper in various sporting groups. If you need to sell or are looking to buy a business, with her contacts in the community and hard work ethics, you can count on Kelly.

Craig's experience in buying, improving and selling his own small businesses over the past 20 years is invaluable.  Successfully running franchises, establishing new businesses and re-inventing others has provided him with a unique skill set.  Being degree qualified in marketing, coupled with hands-on experience in business development, provides him with a broad range of management, marketing and communication skills across various sectors, such as manufacturing, education, software, financial services and automotive. This first-hand knowledge of business from both the buyer and seller perspective ensures clients get the real deal. As Managing Director, Craig established a large plastic manufacturing organisation which he part owned.  He re-invented production and distribution techniques and established marketing strategies which led to rapid growth and market share acquisition within the industry Australia-wide. Also consulting in marketing and business development, he worked closely with owners and managers in financial services, software development and the training industry.  Most recently Craig re-established a business within the automotive industry which he co-owns. He believes "the ‘organisational alignment' of all stakeholders, continuous improvement and correct product/service positioning is imperative to business success".