
Shawn Ko

Phone: (760) 473-1187
Email: shawn.ko@thedealfirm.com
DRE#01993063
Personal Experience
Shawn has over 35 years of extensive experience in the hospitality and retail industry. He has worked for both large and small companies in all aspects of restaurant and hospitality operations, as well as owning several businesses. He understands owning and operating smaller retail units (pizza restaurant, catering company, coffee carts, mobile detailing), as well as working with complex, high volume multi-unit operation businesses (Dave & Busters, Yard House, Compass Group, Applebee’s, Marriott Hotel).
Shawn has started a business from the ground up and knows the permitting process, licensing, construction supervision, menu development, marketing strategies and hiring/training. He also knows the process of selling a business as an owner. In fact, it was selling his businesses that led him to thinking about a career change and becoming a broker.
As a broker, he has sold over 100 businesses. He also works as business/restaurant consultant helping new business owners with license/permitting process and developing effective operations. He is a licensed CA Real Estate Agent (Lic#01993063).
Shawn’s Listings
Contact Me

Andrew Scott

Andrew Scott
Phone: 858-452-3000
Mobile: 310-866-7747
Email: andrew.scott@thedealfirm.com
DRE # 01874863
Personal Experience
Andrew is a licensed real estate Broker with more than 17 years of combined experience in commercial leasing, residential sales, and business brokerage. As a graduate of the Honors Program at the University of Michigan and former adjunct professor at Cal Poly Pomona, he offers a high level of business acumen to our clientele.
He currently maintains residences in San Diego and Los Angeles and services clients throughout the state of California.
Andrew’s Listings
Contact Me

Tom Burns

Tom Burns
Phone: 858-452-3000
Mobile: 949-280-4272
Email: tom.burns@thedealfirm.com
LinkedIn: Tom Burns
DRE# 01859915
Personal Experience
Mr. Burns spent 14 years as President and CEO of a Garment Manufacturing Company in the LA Apparel Industry. His clients benefit from his broad experience working with Banks, Accountants, Factors, and negotiations with Major Retail Chains, Sales, Marketing and Merchandising.
In addition, he has purchased, operated and sold two successful restaurants in the Southern California area. Mr. Burns has a B.S. in Business Management from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as well as an MBA in Marketing from Long Island University in Brookville, NY.
Tom’s Listings
Contact Me

Rafael Lomeli

Rafael Lomeli
Phone: 858-452-3000
Mobile: 619-454-1392
Email: rafael.lomeli@thedealfirm.com
LinkedIn: Rafael Lomeli
DRE # 02001626
Personal Experience
Rafael Lomeli helps entrepreneurs and small business owners make one of the most important decisions in their lives: buying or selling a business. His prior experience as both a business owner and business consultant allow him to provide his clients special insights and analysis when it comes to buying a business or selling one. He specializes in in buying and selling insurance agencies from independent to captive, but can help anyone looking to buy or sell any type of business from retail to manufacturing.
Rafael is born and raised in San Diego, and has an intimate knowledge of the local market having bought and sold multiple business’s through the years locally. Whether you have an interest in selling your business or buying a business, Rafael is ready to help his Clients navigate the process from start to finish.
Rafael’s Listings
Contact Me

Adam Gilman

Adam Gilman
Phone: 858-452-3000
Mobile: 858-449-9996
Email: adam.gilman@thedealfirm.com
LinkedIn: Adam Gilman
DRE# 01317380
Personal Experience
Mr. Gilman has been servicing main street and the middle market for over 20 years. He understands the perspective of both the Seller and Buyer having owned and operated many businesses in the past and as a current principal in several companies today.
Time kills deals is a famous saying of any deal-maker and Mr. Gilman’s main objective in each deal is to be a strong listener, problem solver, and most importantly facilitator to the close of the transaction. Having closed many highly complex deals in manufacturing, distribution, procurement and service businesses, Mr. Gilman brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Mr. Gilman is a general practitioner but does specialize in helping Clients scale their business, Exit Strategies, and Acquisition searches for High Net Worth and Private Equity firms. Mr. Gilman resides in San Diego with his wife and daughter.