Good Neighbor Podcast: Frisco

EP #46: From Federal Agent to Business Advisor: Brad Kaufman’s Journey with Bravo Kilo Advisors and Personal Resilience

• Sophia Yvette

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What makes Brad Kaufman with Bravo Kilo Advisors a good neighbor?

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from a federal agent and canine handler to a successful business advisor and broker? On the latest episode of the Good Neighbor Podcast, Brad Kaufman of Bravo Kilo Advisors takes us through his incredible journey. Brad's story is filled with passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to integrity. From his valued moments with his granddaughter and four English Bulldogs to overcoming personal hardships like divorce and serious injuries, Brad shares the powerful lessons he’s learned through faith and determination.

Moving beyond Brad’s inspiring personal narrative, we delve into the services offered by Bravo Kilo Advisors, a business advisory firm in the DFW, North Dallas, and Collin County area. Brad provides valuable insights into how his firm assists clients and how you can connect with them via their website or directly through phone or email. We wrap up by expressing our gratitude for Brad's time and insights, and encourage our listeners to nominate their favorite local businesses for future episodes. Tune in for a blend of professional wisdom and heartfelt stories that could inspire your own journey.

To learn more about Bravo Kilo Advisors go to:
https://bravokiloadvisors.com/

Bravo Kilo Advisors

443-761-0809

Speaker 1:

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Sophia Yvette.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a business advisor? Surprisingly, one may be closer than you think. Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to your neighbor, brad Kaufman, with Bravo Kilo Advisors. Brad, how are you doing today?

Speaker 3:

I'm doing well. I woke up on the right side of the earth.

Speaker 2:

Well, that's good to know. We're excited to learn all about you and your business. Tell us a bit about your company.

Speaker 3:

Bravo Kilo Advisors has been in business now for 13 months. I was a previous business partner at another M&A firm here in the Metroplex and that company was formulated out of a prior relationship with a church neighbor, as well as two church neighbors that were M&A or mergers and acquisition business brokers, business advisors. And I retired from the federal government as a canine handler operator and I saw the opportunity, with some counsel and advice from that church neighbor, and became a business advisor, a business broker, in October of 2018.

Speaker 2:

And what are the myths or misconceptions in your industry?

Speaker 3:

Probably that business brokers want money up front to sell your business. There are those brokers that do want money up front. I am not that kind of broker. I also will treat you with dignity and respect in as much as I would expect you to do the same of me, and, having a retirement with the federal government, I do not need to make money off of my clients. I would rather provide value so that they can create their legacy. That legacy can continue with a new owner or a business partner who buys them out and, more importantly, for the business owner selling their business, their legacy continues with respect and honor.

Speaker 2:

And outside of work. What do you do for fun?

Speaker 3:

I spend a lot of time with my eight-year-old granddaughter, who lives about five minutes north of us here in McKinney. I pick her up from school twice a week. I pick her up from school twice a week and we hang out for a couple of hours, whether it's throwing her in the pool or trying to run from her and her wrestling moves, which she has learned through her father, our son, or watching wrestling on TV. And then from that I love being with my wife and our four English Bulldogs.

Speaker 2:

Awesome. Are there any favorite activities that you guys have as a family?

Speaker 3:

Probably time out back in the pool family vacation. We were in Gulf Shores, alabama, back in July Son, daughter, grandson, our granddaughter, my wife, two nep year ago this past August and that unfortunately brought us all closer. So family time is awesome. And then my wife and I love spending time out back poolside with our English Bulldogs, who are absolute knuckleheads and they entertain us hourly, sophia.

Speaker 2:

Well, my condolences for your loss. Let's go ahead and change gears for a second. I know we've discussed a lot of the positives and where loss isn't something that is positive. On that note, can you describe one hardship or life challenge that you had to rise above in your life and can now say, because of it, you are better and stronger? When I say that, what comes to mind for you?

Speaker 3:

I would say the events of 2002. I was a federal agent in the Baltimore area. The DC sniper incident Investigation was ongoing. I was a key component of that from the Baltimore Field Division as the division tactical advisor. And during all of that, sophia, I was going through a divorce, an amicable one, and I was also the result of a motocross accident. So, with the divorce going on, being at shock trauma for a week in their trauma unit recovering from a fractured pelvis and a torn stomach muscle erectus muscle muscle, a rectus muscle and then some false allegations that were levied against me that required me to get on both of my knees and seek God's favor.

Speaker 3:

I've been a Christian now since 1977, but the events of 2002 really threw me on my knees and made me realize that I, as a godly man, needed to resist worldly temptations and I needed to supplicate and to be more Christ-led and Christ-purposeful. And since 2002, another 180-degree or 360 degree change and the good Lord blessed me with an awesome wife in 2014. We just celebrated our 10 year anniversary and, like I said, the segue into being an M&A advisor and M&A broker was started with a couple of church brothers and I'm forever thankful for both of them and I thank God. Every day I wake up. The ceiling fan's moving, my wife is next to me and I hear one and or four knucklehead English bulldogs all snoring away like chainsaws.

Speaker 2:

Wow, you have quite a story. What was the biggest lesson you gained from all of that struggle that you went through?

Speaker 3:

I think to quit trying to fix everything with these hands. You know I've had a number of on-the-job injuries as a canine handler six rotator cuff surgeries, five knee surgeries, some incidents racing, motocross as well, with those injuries, and I finally realized that my hands can only do so much. But my faith in God's providence will get me through everything and anything wherever I am, through everything and anything wherever I am. It doesn't matter if I'm on a dirt bike or on top of a mountain, snow skiing or just at work. But I also realized that God's grace has brought me to my wife, to a second marriage, and I'm humbled by her and her presence every day and we pray together, we play together and it's important for both of us now.

Speaker 2:

Amen to that, Brad. Please tell our listeners one thing they should remember about Bravo Kilo advisors.

Speaker 3:

Integrity. Without it, we are nothing, as the adage goes. Sophia, integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching, but there's always one who is watching and he knows everything. And as a business advisor first and a business broker last, I'd like to continue with that integrity from conversation and email, and certainly in person, and then that relationship that we develop and we foster and to create, like I said, a legacy for the business owner to continue.

Speaker 2:

And how can our listeners learn more about Bravo Kilo Advisors?

Speaker 3:

Either through my website, bravokiloadvisorscom, or you can reach out to me here in the DFW, or you can reach out to me here in the DFW, North Dallas.

Speaker 2:

Collin County area, either via cell phone or via email. Well, Brad, I really appreciate you being on the show. We wish you and your business the best moving forward.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely, Sophia. You've been a blessing this morning. I appreciate your time as well. Thank you.

Speaker 1:

Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpfriscocom. That's gnpfriscocom, or call 469-221-9345.