Celebrated every August, National Black Business Month exists to recognize and encourage support for these businesses, as well as to promote diversity, inclusion and economic equality. The Consortium is proud to have helped spur and foster the development of many such businesses, with our alumni launching and owning companies across industries and sectors.
Our Alumni Business Directory is a resource where anyone can discover and learn about many of our alumni-owned ventures. One such alumni, Jason Brown (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ross School of Business, 2012) recently shared with us the origins of his own business PGP Advisory. Based in San Antonio, Texas, PGP Advisory is an M&A advisory firm that helps clients prepare for and successfully sell or acquire a business. Brown shared the most rewarding and challenging aspects of operating his own firm, as well as some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
What is the purpose or mission of your business?
At PGP Advisory, our mission is to fuel the American dream by helping individuals achieve generational wealth through the sale and acquisition of businesses. When a business owner sells, they turn their most significant asset into cash that secures retirement, passes on wealth or diversifies investments. We’re dedicated to guiding future entrepreneurs on a path to acquiring and scaling businesses they can exit to achieve financial freedom. Lastly, we aim to create a career pathway for transaction professionals who share our vision for doing good deals for good people.
What inspired you to start your business?
PGP Advisory was born at the intersection of necessity, opportunity and experience. A move for my wife’s career in 2015 prompted my exit from my mergers and acquisitions job in corporate America. I secured my first client through a friend and classmate at Michigan Ross, and as I closed more deals, the need for my experience became evident, the transformative impact on clients’ lives became clearer and my vision to change the wealth creation game was born.
What services do you offer?
PGP Advisory offers three primary services:
1. Valuation – Whether buying or selling a business, the first step is to establish a reasonable market value. Our certified appraiser generates a range of valuation reports for buyers, sellers, estates, etc.
2. Sell-side Advisory – We maximize value on the sale by marketing the business to potential acquirers and guiding our clients on selecting the best offer, navigating due diligence and executing on the transaction.
3. Buy-side Advisory – We work with clients who need support buying a business, including valuation of the target, financing strategies, deal structuring and the facilitation of due diligence.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of owning your own business? The most challenging?
Owning my firm has allowed me to be present for my family while aligning my work with my values. Each day, I show up authentically, driving a mission that’s bigger than me, with the potential for greater economic rewards than my corporate career. PGP Advisory is my platform for servant leadership, legacy building and closing the wealth gap.
The biggest challenge has been scaling the business and creating steady revenue streams from a starting point of zero.
What advice do you have for others thinking about starting or buying a business?
Entrepreneurship requires financial resources and strong support. Build your investment war chest. Surround yourself with the best advisors, investors and employees. I highly recommend purchasing a business with a proven model and existing cash flow to increase your chances of success. Consult with experienced entrepreneurs to determine if this is the right path for you. Once you’ve identified your “why” and chosen your venture, commit fully. Do the work, trust the process, believe in yourself and never give up.
What is your favorite business-related book or podcast?
“The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber is one of the best books I’ve read on my entrepreneurial journey. It explores why many small businesses struggle and highlights the opportunities for talented individuals — particularly within our Consortium community — to unlock value by addressing these challenges. Gerber emphasizes the importance of working “on” the business, not just in it, fostering a continuous desire to learn and balancing the multiple roles a business owner must navigate throughout the business lifecycle.
What are a few of your favorite Black-owned businesses that you shop with?
Building sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems requires intentional spending. Here are a few of my favorites that have worked alongside us on client projects:
• Britts & Associates LLC – A Black-owned, woman-owned CPA firm based in San Antonio, Texas
• Vizual Architecture – A Black-owned architecture firm in Dallas, Texas.
• Sean Gregory at State Farm Insurance – A Black-owned insurance firm in Dallas, Texas.
