Down to Earth, Relatable, Trustworthy
Meet Mike Ponsonby, your Whangarei and Northland Business Broker
Northland born and raised on a sheep and beef farm in Kaitaia, Mike Ponsonby is an experienced business broker who calls himself a typical Kiwi bloke. He loves fishing, is still chasing that elusive 20-pound snapper and a 25-kg kingfish, and enjoys spending time with his teenagers, catching a game of club rugby, and having a beer with his mates.
Mike has owned a small business in the Far North in the 2000’s, had sales roles in the corporate sector, and has been involved in business sales since 2016. This varied background and his experience in many industries has given him a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges that business owners face.
When selling your business, he’ll make sure to ask you the key questions to unlock what makes your business successful. Communicating the strengths of a business to a buyer helps to maximise its sale price, and that is one of Mike’s key skills. He also has a great ability keep the buyer and seller relaxed throughout the journey, ensuring a smoother process and a successful outcome. To Mike, the fee is just a reward for doing the right thing.
Powerful Partnerships
Mike partnered with Kakapo Business Sales in 2017 and he says that was a great decision. The support systems, process and marketing from Kakapo Business Sales has been vital to his success. The team, training, support and marketing are next level compared to what he has experienced in similar industries and in larger companies, and Mike says they are a great team to be part of.
Mike especially enjoys the people side of being a business broker. The Northland economy has come a long way in the last ten years and while the good people of the North run good businesses, they also appreciate lifestyle and family time. He understands they want to sell their business for good money but know they want to go on the journey with a “good buggar” as well.
Now living in Auckland, Mike makes multiple trips to Northland every month to meet with clients. Many business buyers are Aucklanders who want to relocate to the North and being in the city allows him to qualify if they are they a good fit for the business that’s for sale. He can also pitch the benefits and opportunities to potential buyers face to face, as having a good connection with the buyer during the due diligence phase is key.