When Nikki Katz began her business broking career in 2016, she knew she was on a different path to her peers. 

"I was about 13 years younger than the average business broker and also one of the first female business brokers in South Australia," she said.

"I changed the landscape a bit, because I have a different take on business broking." 

It's a formula that has proved successful for the Benchmark Business Salon Sales Expert, who was last week named the 2019 REIA Business Broker of the Year.

Her other accolades have included REISA Awards of Excellence Business Broker of the Year 2018, Australian Institute of Business Brokers Specialist Broker of the Year 2018, and AIBB Young Business Broker of the Year 2016.

Ms Katz said she hoped to be able to inspire others in the industry.

"There are few more females in the industry, which is nice," she said.

"Hopefully, what I have achieved will lead a younger generation to join the industry."

Ms Katz was introduced to the hair and beauty industry at a young age, with her mother owning four salons.

She has since established, developed and sold three businesses of her own.

Ms Katz said her understanding of "the journey" led her to help others through the process.

"You'll sell more houses than businesses in your lifetime," she said.

"It means that people don't always know what to expect.

"I tried to change the landscape by offering a bit more of a hands-on approach."

 As is the case with houses, a transaction involving a business requires more than just a buyer and a seller.

Accountants, lawyers, conveyancers, landlords, managing agents, franchisors and government licensing authorities can all potentially have a say whether a sale goes ahead or not.

Ms Katz said the key was not to get bogged down in the various steps.

"I'm there to basically hold their hands through the whole thing," she said.

"We don't let fear get in the way because we break the process down rather than stand at the bottom of the mountain looking up.

"Selling a business can be quite stressful for people, so I help people deal with one aspect at a time."

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