Southern Country Business Advisors is proud to announce that President and Broker Denise S. Houghtaling has earned the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation from the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) — the most prestigious credential in the business brokerage profession.
About the CBI Designation
The Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation is awarded by the IBBA to brokers who demonstrate a high level of professional knowledge, ethical conduct, and practical experience in the business brokerage industry. Earning the CBI requires completing rigorous coursework, passing comprehensive examinations, and documenting a significant body of completed transactions.
The IBBA is the world's largest nonprofit association for business brokers and M&A intermediaries. CBI designees represent the top tier of the profession — practitioners who have committed to the highest standards of professional excellence and ongoing education.
What This Means for Our Clients
Denise's CBI designation reflects the depth of expertise she brings to every client engagement. Whether guiding a business owner through a first-time exit or working with an experienced buyer on a complex acquisition, Denise brings a level of professional credibility that gives clients confidence throughout the process.
"Earning the CBI is a milestone I've worked toward for years," said Denise Houghtaling. "It represents not just the knowledge and skills required to serve our clients well, but a commitment to the profession — to doing business brokerage the right way. I'm incredibly proud to represent the standard that the IBBA has set for our industry."
Denise founded Southern Country Business Advisors with the mission of providing Florida business owners and buyers with the professional, confidential, and results-driven service they deserve. Her CBI designation is a natural extension of that commitment.
About Southern Country Business Advisors
Southern Country Business Advisors is a Florida-based business brokerage serving buyers and sellers across Southwest Florida and throughout the state. Led by Denise S. Houghtaling, CBI, the firm specializes in the confidential marketing and sale of established businesses, professional valuations, and buyer advisory services.
To learn more about working with Southern Country Business Advisors, contact us for a confidential consultation.