As a former business owner, Keith understands the rewards, challenges and responsibilities that come with business ownership. This firsthand experience enables him to share the trials and tribulations that come with owning your own business and pass along sound advice to clients. Keith has over 30 years of corporate and small business experience and has provided services and guidance to a variety of business owners.
Industry Experience:
As a member of both the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association (MIIAB) and the Professional Insurance Agents of Minnesota (PIA of Minnesota), Keith has a focus on working with independent insurance agencies.
Areas of Expertise:
- Independent Insurance Agencies
- As a member of the Big I MN (Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association) and the Professional Insurance Agents of Minnesota (PIA of Minnesota), Keith has a focus on working with independent insurance agency owners and helping them with a smooth exit into the next stage of their lives.
- Lawn Maintenance & Landscape
- Keith is a lawn maintenance and landscape industry expert and a member of the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA).
- Optometry and Dental Practices
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- Sunbelt Midwest has a long history of working with Practice owners, helping them plan an exit strategy that provides them the best options for a smooth transition. Keith works directly with these owners from initially determining a value of the practice all the way to the Closing table.
Association memberships:
Awards and Recognition:
Rookie of the Year 2021
Five Star Award 2021- awarded to the agent who receives the most five-star Google reviews in one year.
ACE Award 2023 – awarded to the agent who exemplifies the power of partnerships with a number of businesses throughout the community.
Board of Directors for the Chaska Rotary and Co-President for 2023-2024. Former Board of Directors with the Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce.
President’s Club Qualifier 2021, 2022, 2023
Personal interests:
In addition to spending time with his wife and two adult children, Keith enjoys running, mountain biking and BBQing in his backyard.
Blog posts:
“Why would I work with Sunbelt to sell my Agency?”
This comment was made to me recently, and I just about fell out of my chair. Over the years of helping independent agency owners plan their exit, many of them told me that they had the same question. (read more)
Considering selling but still have some fuel left in the tank?
Does this sound like you? You’re somewhere between the ages of 40-60, have built a well-established, successful business over the past 20+ years and you’re not quite ready to retire. You still have some of the passion you had when you started, but always being a phone call away from something that needs your immediate attention is getting old. (read more)
I can help you find a buyer for your agency.
There has never been a better time to consider selling an independent insurance agency. Right now with dozens of buyers lined up interested in purchasing independent insurance agencies in the Twin Cities area. It is a seller’s market. How can you get ready to make the right decision about possibly selling your practice? (read more)
When the Holiday Conversation Turns to Selling Your Agency
For many agency owners, it is a time to talk to family and friends and start thinking through selling their agency and how that can bring a positive impact to their lives, and the future.
There are a lot of reasons why this is a really important time to think through this. Here are just a few…
Selling? There is No Time Like the Present
It is important to note that agency owners who have thought about, or who are starting to think about, selling their agency are in the middle of what is an amazing time for transitioning. If you are one of these owners, here are things you need to know as you move your business into 2021…
Are you fearful of selling your insurance agency?
Fear is a major emotion when owners think about selling their agency. Eventually, every agency owner will need to exit their business and ideally will provide themselves a long enough timeline to ensure a smooth transition.
Published in the March, 2023 edition of Big I MN monthly publication of Be Cutting Edge (read more)
Testimonials:
My wife and I read about Sunbelt Business Advisors in the May issue of Insurance Minnesota and decided to give Keith Payne a call. After meeting Keith and deciding the time was right, we listed our agency for sale with Sunbelt. We have been happy with that decision.
Sunbelt and Keith assisted us every step of the way from valuing our agency, advertising the prospective sale, helping us interview interested prospects and working through all details of the final sale. At the end of the day, we felt that Sunbelt offered us the expertise we needed in order to market and sell our agency to the right buyer at the right price. Our experience was very positive and we are comfortable giving Sunbelt, and Keith, our highest recommendation
Paul Dormody
Keith Payne was terrific to work with. Detailed oriented and explained and coached us through the process in a clear understandable manner. Chris Jones and Keith were spot on top notched individuals. It was also pretty miraculous that they were able to sell my business during the most perilous times of my life, that being COVID 19. My only regret is I wished I would have found them 1st before I attempted to sell my business to 3 other parties and came up empty. Also wasted a good year of my time. I’m sure other brokers that represent Sunbelt are good as well, but I’d recommended Keith and I promise he didn’t pay me to say that
Vern Cole
Keith Payne did a phenomenal job in managing our acquisition deal. He kept us updated and handled the details and changes we encountered in a timely and professional manner. I would highly recommend Keith and his office!
Allan Karki
My wife and I used Sunbelt to list and sell a business. Our agent, Keith, is prompt, professional, and has great communication. I would gladly use Keith and company again.
James Hendrickson
We highly recommend Sunbelt. We worked with Keith Payne in the sale of an insurance agency. He brought expertise, understanding and enthusiasm. The agency sold on the high end of what was predicted. Winners all around.
Josh Barrett
We purchased a company though Sunbelt. Dan & Keith were amazing through the entire process!
Joe Schwartz
It has been a great experience working with the folks at Sunbelt. They helped me properly price my business and provided guidance along the way as well as kept me informed of the progress of the sale transaction. I highly recommend using Sunbelt to sell your business.
Dan Selner
This team knows what they’re doing! Thanks Peggy and Keith for your work on sourcing and our ultimate business purchase.
Nathan Jespersen