Built by Operators. For Operators.

Icon Business Advisors was founded on a simple observation: business owners with $3M–$50M in revenue are systematically underserved.

Business brokers treat them like a listing. Investment banks won’t return their calls. We built Icon to fill that gap — bringing PE-grade execution with operator credibility.

Why I Started Icon

By Daniel Askew, Founder & CEO

I’ve spent 25 years building, buying, and selling businesses. I’ve made payroll when the account was empty. I’ve lost sleep over decisions that felt impossible. I’ve felt the loneliness that comes with being the one everyone looks to for answers.

When it came time to think about my own exit, I looked for help. What I found was frustrating. Business brokers who wanted to list my business like a house. Investment banks who wouldn’t return my call because I “wasn’t big enough.” Consultants with MBAs who had never actually built anything.

I realized there was a gap. Business owners like us — companies between $3M and $50M — deserve better than being treated like a small transaction or told we’re not important enough.

That’s why I started Icon. We bring institutional-quality advice with operator credibility. We’ve actually done this. We know what it feels like.

The Icon Team

Daniel Askew, Founder & CEO
25+ years building and selling businesses. Led $450M+ in real estate transactions. Founded multiple successful ventures. Nashville native.

What We Believe

Founder-First

We prioritize client goals above our own. Your success is our success.

Skin in the Game

We take equity and revenue share because we believe in what we build together.

Operators, Not Consultants

We’ve built, scaled, and exited businesses. We give real insights, not textbook advice.

Execution Over Ego

Results matter more than looking smart. We roll up our sleeves.

Real Relationships

We build long-term partnerships, not transactions.

About Icon Business Advisors

Icon Business Advisors is a Nashville-based M&A advisory firm serving business owners with $3M to $50M in annual revenue. We provide sell-side M&A advisory (Icon Exit), capital raising (Icon Capital), fractional executive services (Icon Partner), business valuations (Icon Toolkit), and buy-side advisory (Icon Deal Flow).

Our approach combines the sophistication of an investment bank with the credibility of operators who have built, scaled, and sold businesses themselves. We serve clients throughout the Southeast and nationwide from our Nashville, Tennessee headquarters.