Forge Business Brokerage
Meet Ricky Gleason, Brad Roberson, and James Schuepbach, the three co-founders who have come together to launch Forge Business Brokerage, a firm dedicated to helping business owners navigate the complexities of buying and selling. Each of them brings a wealth of experience from finance and business strategy to real estate and wealth management. Together, they create a powerhouse team that is uniquely equipped to serve the Central Texas community. With deep ties to Boerne and a shared commitment to ethical stewardship, Forge is set to become a vital resource for entrepreneurs looking to secure their legacy.
The Launch of Forge
According to the founders, the launch of Forge is years in the making. They are involved in local charities together, have shared business connections, and noticed a great need for professional business brokerage services in the community. What solidified the partnership though, was their mutual commitment to changing the way people experience the buying and selling of businesses. While each of the co-founders bring a unique set of skills, education, and experience to the table, they adamantly agree on their mission; “to help people get a fair value for their life’s work, to be successful in the choices they make about the buying and selling of their businesses, and to ensure that people experience honesty, transparency, and integrity” in their partnership with Forge.
What Sets them Apart
What sets Forge apart from other business brokerages is its deep commitment to both personal relationships and community impact. “This is home, it’s where I grew up and where I plan to be,” Ricky explained, as he described Forge’s dedication to their community. “Our goal is to keep great companies here … we have a rich history of companies establishing their roots here.” Forge is dedicated to helping small businesses throughout Central Texas thrive into the next generation of local ownership.
It is not just their commitment to serving the local community that sets Forge apart though. It’s how they plan to serve the community. They describe it as being noble warriors, meaning they are “standing ready to fiercely advocate for your best interests… and relentlessly pursue optimal outcomes, ensuring all efforts on your behalf are carried out responsibly and within ethical boundaries.” “We are going to treat our customers the way we would want our own families treated,” explained James.
The Founder Experience
Sitting down with Ricky, Brad, and James, and listening to each one share their founder experience, one thing became quickly apparent. The partnership between these three founders is built on a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect. When asked about their own strengths, each one began by recognizing the contributions of the other two. And as they talked about what set them apart from others in the industry, it was not about boosting their own experiences, but rather sharing what they appreciated about each other and what they bring to the table. It was a refreshing experience, to see co-founders so strongly committed to not only the business idea, but the partnership as well. It was clear these three are steadfast in their belief in one another.
While Forge was officially established as a business just last month, they already have several active and prospective clients. Business seems to be gearing up quickly now, however Brad described their launch as an intentional ‘slow grow.’ “In the start we moved slowly, because the partnership mattered. We wanted to ensure the documents were right and we had honest conversations about what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do it.” The team went through extensive brand discovery exercises, and made sure not only what they were planning to do was in alignment, but how they would do it, and how they would talk about it were also in alignment. “So we moved slowly, and that was very intentional,” Brad shared. In an industry where historically people have not always played nice or fair, Ricky explains, “You need someone who will fiercely advocate for you, but also maintains the highest standards of integrity and transparency. That is who we are.”
Lessons Learned on the Entrepreneurial Journey
Throughout the entrepreneurial journey, the three co-founders—Brad, James, and Ricky—each experienced significant personal growth. Brad, who had been searching for a sense of purpose, found it in the trust and belief that his partners had in him. This support ignited a passion in him, making him genuinely excited to go to work each day. James discovered that his true strength lies in navigating high-pressure situations, thriving in environments where others might falter, especially when it comes to tense negotiations. This realization affirmed his love for “being in the thick of it,” where he could effectively manage and resolve conflicts. Ricky, on the other hand, learned the value of patience. Accustomed to getting things done quickly, he found growth in slowing down, embracing the process, and trusting in God’s timing. He said the journey also affirmed his commitment and dedication to serve others in all he does. This is a value that came up repeatedly in his reflections, and one he says guides every area of his life. Together, these lessons not only shaped their individual journeys, but also strengthened their collective resolve as a team.
The Ideal Client
So who is the ideal Forge client? The founders say they are not industry specific, and they are looking for clients who value a relationship-based approach, as opposed to being completely transactional. Their goal is to serve exit-focused business owners, and provide guidance throughout every step of the complex sales process. Generally, this would mean they are working with well-established businesses that have at least six figures in profitability – but at the end of the day, they all agreed their mission is more important than choosing the ideal client on paper. They want to be a firm that serves anyone who is looking for guidance, and to do so in a way that will allow business owners to “obtain the optimal value for their company” while making a seamless transition to a “work-optional lifestyle.”
Where can you learn more about Forge? Come meet this dynamic group of co-founders at their Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on August 27th at 4:00 pm. The ribbon cutting will take place at the Forge Office which is at 606 Frey St. in Boerne, Texas. You can also reach out to the team on their website, www.forgebb.com and via LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/forgebb/
