A veteran Western Michigan executive has launched Left Coast Capital Resources LLC to help small-business owners who hope to retire or sell their companies within a time span of five years or less.

Lead by its founder and principal, Eric Seifert, the Muskegon, Mich.-based firm will specialize in exit planning and sale of companies with less than $10 million in annual sales. Seifert brings four decades of experience as a commercial banker and small-business consultant to the new firm, which will also work with established companies seeking growth capital, including SBA loans, senior debt, revolving credit facilities, angel investments and private equity.

A former small-business owner himself, Seifert has spent the bulk of his career working for organizations that serve small businesses. Launching Left Coast Capital was a logical next step, said Seifert, who most recently served as a consultant for Michigan’s Small Business Development Center during the past nine years. The Michigan SBDC provides business counsel to entrepreneurs and small business owners through a network of 11 regional and 20 satellite offices around the state. During his time at the Michigan SBDC, Seifert helped clients fine-tune their financials, obtain funding and sell their businesses.

As part of his personal commitment to West Michigan’s small-business community, Seifert also helped establish and serves as the Administrator of Muskegon Angels LLC, which makes equity investments in early-stage companies.

Prior to his tenure at the Michigan SBDC, Seifert worked in commercial banking for nearly 30 years, mostly along the West Michigan lakeshore, which he fondly refers to as the state’s “Left Coast.” He spent the bulk of his banking career as a senior executive for Old Kent Bank (now Fifth Third Bank) before moving to Muskegon-based Community Shores Bank Corp. Throughout his banking career, he specialized in helping small business owners obtain funding for growth, working capital and liquidity events.

Over the years, Seifert has built an extensive network of professional advisors and financing sources that he can collaborate with to help get deals done more efficiently for clients.

“When an owner decides to sell his or her business, it’s usually a big investment of time, money and emotions,” Seifert said. “Our approach helps owners realize their personal and financial objectives without having to make the sale process a full-time job. We tell clients, ‘We’ll run the deal, so you can run your business.’”

Seifert holds an accounting degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA in finance from Grand Valley State University. He is also a certified business consultant.