Founder

Joel Duran has extensive experience in business, sales, finance, and has owned eight companies over the course of his career. His ownership expertise extends across a variety of industries. He has owned businesses involved in the wholesale, retail, automotive, Internet sales, bar, and restaurant industries. Joel founded his first successful company while still in college. He grew the company from business plan to multiple millions a year in sales. It eventually became the largest wholesale customer for the largest supplier in the industry. Joel ran that business for three years before his exit to an eventual job in finance. 

Duran Advisors is the product of a decade of experience selling businesses full-time. While acting as principal of a well-known international brokerage, Joel was also the managing director of a boutique M&A advisory firm. He has personally sold over 100 businesses and has worked with hundreds of main street and lower middle market business owners to sell, value, or buy a business. Joel founded Duran Advisors to fill in the gap between main street business brokerages and investment banks. He is solely focused on identifying client pain points and then finding a solution that solves the problem, even if it does not involve the sale of the company. Joel has engineered a business sale process that works with, instead of against, the seller’s professional advisor team such as the CPA, financial advisor, and attorney. Joel is extremely passionate about business. He loves to work with his owner clients, and enjoys guiding them to achieve the exit of their dreams.

Joel has always believed in staying active in the community, and over the years has been involved with many organizations. In the past, he has sat on the board for Bridge House Grace House Recovery Golf Tournament. He has been involved with IBBA, BNI, Young ACG, Home Defense Foundation, and many other organizations. Joel enjoys photography, body building, and mixed martial arts in his free time. He graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Business Administration degree. He is a former member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity during his time there, holding the offices of President, Vice President of Philanthropy, and Recruitment Chairman. Joel lives in Old Metairie with his wife and two children.