Perillo created popular valuation software, which led to a partnership with ‘Shark Tank’s’ Kevin Harrington
Gerard Perillo had no doubt about what eXp Commercial offered his business brokerage. As a Certified Business Intermediary who also created a business valuation software that attracted the attention of one of the original “sharks” on the hit series “Shark Tank,” Gerard is an innovator and industry leader with a keen nose for success.
“I saw the culture and the people and the positivity. Within two months I made the leap to eXp Commercial and never looked back,’’ said this Destin, Florida-based business broker.
That was in October 2021. This April, as another high-value member of eXp Commercial’s exploding stable of top-level talent, Gerard laid bare the results of what the past 18 months with eXp has meant to him and his Shark Team business brokerage.
“I can tell you: The realty partnership between all the agents – whether they’re realty or commercial – has been amazing. We literally have referral deals going on in Illinois, Oregon, L.A., Texas, West Virginia, Tennessee and a lot of Florida where we’re based,’’ he said.
“I sit in my office in beautiful Destin, Florida. I don’t have to fly around the country. I can talk to these clients by Zoom or by phone and we end up getting referrals from the agents and partners. We market the businesses, we sell them and we’re able to do the best thing imaginable, which is to pay our partners a pretty good amount of money,” he said.
The Smell of Money in the Water
Business has been so good, so brisk and so collaborative, Gerard said his Shark Team has stopped calling the fees he pays his partners “referral fees.”
“We call them ‘Pay Days’ because we’ve been able to pay out checks for $19,000, or $44,350. We’ve got closings coming up in Illinois and Florida that we are able to pay those agents. Those aren’t referral fees. Those are pay days. And to go along with these pay days, everyone has to dance the shark dance to celebrate. We write that in the contract,” Gerard said, laughing.
Gerard’s Valuation Tool Caught the Attention of Kevin Harrington
Innovation and collaboration are a sweet pairing for this shark. In 2020, Gerard developed valuation software called Today’s VAL. It’s a system that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks – a feature that drew the attention of Kevin Harrington, one of the original cast members on the hit TV show Shark Tank.
The original Shark was so impressed with the utility of Gerard’s invention, he reached out and formed a relationship that has blossomed into a partnership. The software gives more than 30 million small business owners a look at the valuation of their company and what it could sell for.
Business Brokering Market Is ‘Exploding‘
As a visionary and innovator, Gerard said eXp’s network and technology are what he needed to scale his own business, which is helping people sell their businesses. He is, after all, a salesman at his core.
“This market is exploding. There’s going to be more transfer of assets meaning businesses being sold in the next five years than there was over the past 40 years. It’s time to make money,’’ he said.
“There are 33 million businesses that run this country. That is defined as businesses under $5 million in gross with under 500 employees. There are 12 million of those businesses that will actually sell within the next three-to-five years. Baby boomers are retiring. Everyone knows someone who is thinking about selling their business. It’s very simple. It’s your sphere of influence – whether it’s your friend or your family member, your client or former client. Just ask them,’’ he said.
Learn More About Gerard Perillo:
How many agents and support staff joined you at eXp? 4 agents, 1 operations manager. We are adding a social media manager.
Why did you join eXp? Who introduced you?
“I was introduced to eXp Commercial President James Huang in late June 2021 as eXp Commercial was opening their business brokerage division. It only took a few conversations for me to understand that eXp Commercial was about to become the market disruptor in Business Brokerage. I joined eXp Commercial in September 2021.
“I was excited for the opportunity to work with 87,000+ eXp Realty partners throughout the U.S. and build out a huge network of business clients to refer those clients to the Shark Team to value, list, and market the business for sale.”
How has eXp Commercial impacted your business?
“Moving to eXp Commercial has been the best business decision we ever made. Here’s why:
- Better support and resources: “I feel like I had hit the ceiling with my own brokerage and eXp offered more support, resources and technology to help me take my business to the next level.”
- Greater brand recognition: “With eXp, the Shark Team has gained strong brand presence in the national market and assisted us in attracting more clients to grow the business.”
- New opportunities for growth: “The partnership with the 87,000+ realty agents has allowed us to prosper with referrals in dozens of states within our business brokerage specialty and helped our team expand to grow our client base.”
- Company culture: “Our team loves meeting up with our peers at Shareholders and EXPCON to see all the excitement and positive energy beginning with the leadership of eXp. eXp aligns perfectly with our teams’ values and offers a positive, supportive company culture that will help us thrive both personally and professionally.”
Brokerage history:
- eXp Commercial (Sept. 2021-current)
- BizBuySell Consulting (July 2011-Sept. 2021)
- Destin Real Estate Group (August 2002 – June 2011)
Key Stats:
- Production in 2022: $28,000,000 closed sales on 6 transactions.
- Certified Business Intermediary (CBI)
- Business Certified Appraiser (BCA)
- Developed the only Business Valuation Software that integrates with Intuit QuickBooks Online called Today’s VAL.
- Launching a YouTube channel and podcast specific to business brokerage and valuation in Q2 2023.
- Plays chess with his 17-year-old son, Anthony (who Gerard taught) and has beaten Gerard 7 straight games.
- Certified Spartan Obstacle Coach (2017) and have completed two Spartan Trifectas and many other obstacle mud runs.
- Long-time Suntex Boat Club member with access to fishing, skiing, deck and pontoon boats — no dropping, cleaning, or fueling up a boat — just schedule a boat, load up and go!
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