In this episode of Commercial Connections, host René Nelson, a Commercial Real Estate Broker in Eugene, Oregon, sits down with special guest Rob Cohen. With over 25 years of experience in launching, running, and selling businesses, Rob shares insights from his career. Topics include his journey from New York to Eugene, the challenges of running restaurants and breweries, the intricacies of business brokerage, and trends in various industries. Rob also discusses the importance of proper financial documentation, the value of owning real property, and the impact of the SBA and financing on business sales. Aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike will find value in Rob's expert advice and experiences.

EPISODE THEMES 📝

00:00 The SantaCon Side Hustle

00:29 Introducing Rob Cohen: Business Expert

01:44 Rob's Journey from New York to Eugene

03:56 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry

04:50 The Competitive Brewery Market

06:31 The Impact of Cannabis on the Alcohol Industry

07:54 Labor Challenges in the Restaurant Business

10:47 Rob's Secret: Never Cooked in His Own Restaurants

11:22 Business Brokering and Consulting

16:54 Preparing a Business for Sale

20:28 Misconceptions About Selling a Business

20:34 The Global Market for Business Sales

23:15 The Role of Real Estate in Business Transactions

24:12 Navigating Lease Assignments in Business Sales

25:16 The Importance of Owning Property for Business Owners

26:31 Current Market Trends and Challenges in Business Sales

28:42 High-Demand Industries and Business Opportunities

32:49 The Rise of Ghost Kitchens and Food Delivery Services

36:54 Advice for Selling Your Business

38:26 Reflecting on Business Success and Favorite Sales

45:28 Expanding Business Brokerage and Client Success Stories

48:28 Conclusion and Future Plans⁠⁠

STAY AHEAD IN CRE 💌📬 Stay Sharp in Commercial Real Estate

Want smarter insights, market trends, and strategies delivered straight to your inbox?

Join the Commercial Connections Newsletter — a quick, actionable read for brokers, investors, and CRE professionals.

👉Subscribe Now: https://pacwest.kit.com/f88edb7056FREE GIVEAWAYS 💰➡️ Due Diligence Giveaway:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WVvYPiwASy76exh2tludjyeZ9Sfuvpl4QqD20V_HHRw/edit?usp=drive_link➡️ Free Pro Forma Template: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12x1eUtdEUySKsrbQ0ELpCw3X79TPFh3Z/view?usp=sharing

CONNECT WITH ROB COHEN 🔗

Phone: (541) 520-8012Website: www.rjcforbusiness.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-c-971506187/

CONNECT WITH RENÉ NELSON 🎙️Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.eugene-commercial.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@renenelsonccim1031/videos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renenelsonpacwestcommercialrealestate/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renenelsonrealestate

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/commercial-connections-investing-with-confidence/id1828000587

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/27QhtoMTeooaEHJgu91VfGFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574316732608

Book a 15 min Complimentary Discovery Call with René: https://calendly.com/renenelsonccim/cashflow-autopsy