Today we’d like to introduce you to Dean Wiltse.
Hi Dean, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was recruited by a Private Equity firm to move to Utah to become the CEO of one of their investments, a software business. The goal was to help it grow and sell it. My first day on the job as CEO was March 1, 2020, the beginning of COVID. The company business model was to provide online survey or inspection audits for restaurants, businesses and the lodging industry. When a restaurant or business office was cleaned each day an online audit was performed and submitted. In January of 2020 we had conducted over 35,000 audits in that month. When everything shut down our monthly audits in May of 2020 were under 1000. The idea of growing and selling that company was not in the cards any longer. I left that role in June of 2020. I didn’t want to put my family through another move. My teenage daughter was already upset with me (that is another story). Since I have deep experience helping companies sell, I started my own Mergers & Acquisition Advisory firm with my wife Stephany in Draper, Utah.
Before I tell you about our journey since 2020, I should tell you a little about why the PE firm knew I had the ability to do the job. This is my story about Greenfield Online and my becoming CEO in March 2001. The time the bubble had just burst.
Greenfield Online incurred net losses of $52.6 million, $17.3 million in 2000 and 2001. I joined as CEO in March 0f 2001 at the height of the bubble bursting. In 2003, we were profitable and grew dramatically. In 2004 we went public on NASDAQ. After we went public, we did 7 acquisitions in six months. Eventually Greenfield Online was sold to Microsoft for near $500M. Since 2005 and 2020 I helped companies grow and be sold. When my wife and I started Sunbelt Network Utah in 2023 and now CurtisWiltse for larger M&A transaction we have represented and help sell over 20 businesses, many in Utah but also across the country. I have lots of interesting stories about the businesses we have represented.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Throughout history there have been economic ups and downs and recent years much has changed in the world. COVID in 2020 and last year a political season was underway during the summer of 2024, the wild political climate, inflation, highest interest rates in 23 years, world turmoil and the new idea of tariffs all impacted business growth and value of businesses across almost every industry. Yet we were able to assist over 10 businesses to sell at strong valuations. (I can get an exact number if necessary)
The stock market volatility added to the uncertainty in 2025 and EVERY investment fund suddenly lost 20% or more of its book value early in 2025 and to quickly rebounded recently.
As we look back at the market conditions and events that unfolded, it should cause all of us to be optimistic about the possibilities for future business performance, however none of us can predict the future.
Let’s look back at the timeline:
Fed Fund rates have been at a historical 5 year high.
Mortgage rates reached a 28 year high during 2024
2024 was an election year filled with high profile uncertainty
Inflation reached 7% during 2021 and remained over 3.4% until 2024, high above the 2015 inflation rate of .7% and 2020 of 1.4%.
Tariffs were announced on March 1 of 2025
Yet we closed over 10+ transaction during the last twelve months.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sunbelt Network UTAH and CurtisWiltse?
We have 2 brands, CurtisWiltse serves companies with over $1M EBITDA and Sunbelt Network Utah serves companies with under $1M in EBITDA.
What makes CurtisWiltse unique, when you choose CurtisWiltse, your team includes Dr Remington Curtis an experienced PhD Accounting and CPA and Dean Wiltse, former NASDAQ CEO with over $700M in actual transaction exit value for their clients.
What Makes Sunbelt Network Utah Unique
1. Global Scale with Local Focus
Sunbelt is the world’s largest business brokerage network, selling more privately held businesses than any other franchise firm globally. Yet, the Utah office is independently owned and operated by professionals deeply familiar with the local landscape across Salt Lake City, Park City, Draper, and beyond
2. Extensive Utah Coverage
Their Utah team covers the entire state, servicing a broad range of communities—from urban hubs to mountain towns, including Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Summit, Weber, Washington, Cache, and more
3. Highly Experienced Leadership
The managing broker, Dean Wiltse, brings a remarkable track record of nearly three decades in business leadership—navigating IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, turnarounds, and business expansions. Notably, he led Greenfield Online to go public on NASDAQ, acquired seven companies internationally, and eventually drove its $480 million acquisition by Microsoft
His teams have helped founders and business owners realize significant wealth, generating over $780 million in market value and creating millionaire outcomes for multiple families
4. Proven Process & High Success Rate
Sunbelt Utah uses a refined, strategic sales methodology—including confidential valuations and customized marketing—to guide business owners from preparation to closing. Their process includes coordinating tailored buyer outreach—from strategic buyers to private equity and corporate acquirers—leveraging Sunbelt’s expansive global network. Impressively, they maintain a 95% close rate on listed transactions
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
When you own and operate your business many times it becomes “your life work”. Be sure you can be rewarded for your “life’s work” by building a great team, customer loyalty and business financial strength. If you choose to sell someday or pass it on to someone or employees you can have certainty of an exit where you will define the terms.
Pricing:
- no fee until you sell
- can be retained by buyers for strategic acquisitions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://curtisandwiltse.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanwiltse/
- Other: https://www.sunbeltnetwork.com/draper-ut/
