Our Company
Praxis Business Brokers specializes in confidential, results-driven business transactions, representing companies generating revenue from $250,000 to $20 million across diverse industries—from manufacturing and services to retail, e-commerce, and franchise resales. Confidentiality is a core tenant of our operation and discretion is our normal course.
Our name, "Praxis," reflects our philosophy: the practice—not just the theory—of applying business wisdom to get deals across the finish line. Whether you're selling or buying, our approach merges deep industry expertise with real-world know-how to guide you confidently from valuation through closing.
Our Core Values
We’re guided by principles of confidentiality, integrity, and results—values that drive every business sale and acquisition we handle.
Confidentiality Above All
We protect your privacy. From valuations to marketing and closing, your sale remains discreet—shielded from competitors, employees, customers, and vendors.
Real-World Expertise
Built by seasoned professionals. With decades of combined operating and brokerage experience in mid-market transactions, our team understands business ownership firsthand—and brings that perspective to every deal.
Success-Based Alignment
No upfront fees, no conflict of interest. We operate exclusively on success fees—paid only when your business sale or acquisition closes—aligning our incentives entirely with yours.
Broad Industry Reach
Versatile, adaptable, effective. Whether you're in manufacturing, retail, franchises, services, or e-commerce, Praxis has served buyers and sellers across the business spectrum in Michigan and beyond.
Our Team
Meet the dedicated professionals committed to guiding you through every step of your business transaction.
Ryan Johnson
Owner
Ryan Johnson joined Praxis Business Brokers in 2019 bringing with him a decade of experience in sales, customer service, and real estate. He has represented sellers from a variety of industries in the successful sale and transition of their businesses. Exceptional communication skills paired with a fresh perspective have made Ryan a valuable asset to the Praxis team. In 2024 the commitment to Praxis was formalized even more so with Ryan becoming a partner with the firm. As of 2026 Ryan assumed full ownership of Praxis.
Prior to joining Praxis Ryan spent time in the IT Consulting space along with the Lakeshore Real Estate market with a focus on high end vacation homes and commercial real estate. Ryan is a proud father and dedicated family man with roots in Mid-Michigan and now residing in West-Michigan with his wife and three young children.
With degrees in Entrepreneurship and Communications from Central Michigan University Ryan is a Husband, Father, Entrepreneur putting his skill sets to use for Praxis Business Brokers and its clients.
Jane Steele
Jane began her career as a registered nurse with a BSN from Aquinas College, working in the healthcare industry for over a decade. Her passion for helping others, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, led her to create a successful cleaning and organizing business. In just a few years, Jane garnered 20 employees and 300 clients, developing and implementing efficient processes and procedures still used today by the company's subsequent owner.
As her family grew, Jane was eager to transition to a new phase in her life, becoming a Praxis client herself. She worked alongside founder Michael to sell her business. This experience provided her with firsthand knowledge of the process, and a deep understanding of our clients' needs.
Jane's areas of expertise include the healthcare industry, female-owned businesses, and niche small businesses. She specializes in client-side support, focusing on confidentiality and discretion.
Outside of work, Jane enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, and is a lifelong resident of East Grand Rapids.
Geoff Kowalski
Geoff Kowalski joins Praxis as the newest member of the team in 2025. A welcome addition to the firm he brings over a decade of practical knowledge and experience with him.
With 12 years in the consulting space Geoff is no stranger to assisting clients to solve a wide breadth of issues. He looks forward to applying the skills he has acquired over the years in helping clients to analyze and improve their business processes from another perspective. Now having the opportunity to guide business owners through the process of transition.
Having earned BS in Business Administration degrees in Accounting and Economics from Central Michigan University he now resides in Kalamazoo MI. In his downtime he enjoys the great outdoors hunting, fishing, and cycling.
Steve Huntley
Steve Huntley joins Praxis Business Brokers with a significant amount of experience in owning and managing small businesses. After graduating from Michigan State University he joined IBM and later Westinghouse and Steelcase gaining valuable training and experience in managing business operations. His primary roles included senior management positions in Supply Chain Management and Manufacturing. He has also completed consulting projects for several local companies which improved their bottom line.
As the owner of several small businesses Steve understands the day to day and strategic challenges that an owner must face every day. During his career Steve has bought and sold several businesses in the service and manufacturing industries. He has assisted in the resolution of many issues that can develop during the negotiation and sales process.
Completing a sales agreement that is a “win / win” for all parties involved is the goal of every transaction that Steve is involved in. He applies his experience and skills to work with buyers, banks, accountants and customers to make this process as hassle free for the seller as possible. This includes locating and working with only qualified buyers to make sure no time is wasted on the part of the seller. Confidentiality is also a top priority for each transaction.
Steve enjoys helping clients navigate the complex and sometimes challenging buy / sell process. He provides assistance throughout the entire process including valuation, negotiation funding and closing. This includes help in making the often emotional decision to finally sell a client’s business. His expertise in completing successful buy / sell transactions, along with experience in managing profitable small businesses, give Steve the tools necessary to help clients complete successful transactions.
Steve has been involved in several community groups and is a board member of the Rocky Mountain Therapy Dog non profit.
Charlie Younkin
For more than 30 years, Charlie has been actively involved in investing in, renovating, and facilitating the purchase of residential and commercial real estate throughout Michigan and Florida. In addition to real estate work, Charlie manages From the Badge to the Beach, a referral-based relocation program designed to help individuals identify and transition into ideal retirement and lifestyle destinations.
Before entering the industry, Charlie served for 28 years as a police officer. That experience instilled the importance of integrity, accountability, and trust, principles that continue to guide how Charlie works with clients today. Since retiring in 2022, Charlie has focused exclusively on helping buyers and sellers navigate the real estate process with clarity and confidence a skill he now brings to the business brokerage space as well.
With hands-on experience in both Michigan and Florida markets, Charlie provides clients with valuable insight into regional trends and investment opportunities. Charlies approach combines market knowledge with innovative search strategies and creative solutions to ensure each client is presented with options that align with their goals.
Charlie resides in Livingston County and raised his family in Wayne and Macomb counties, giving hi a strong connection to the communities he serves. Charlie is deeply committed to supporting the mental health and wellness of first responders, frontline workers, and military personnel through his foundation, Lines of Heroes, which provides resources and support to those who serve our communities and our country.
Michael Greengard
Founder-Retired
Michael S. Greengard, founder of Praxis Business Brokers, was involved full time in business brokerage since 2005. Mike sold mid-market and main street businesses along with both large and small franchise resales and successfully represented business sellers from California to New York. As testament to Mike's superior skills, both buyers and sellers remain active with the firm after transactions are closed either looking for new opportunities and/or referring both potential sellers and interested buyers. Mike's expierence was across a broad range of industries including manufacturing, distribution, service, retail, and e-commerce.
Prior to entering business brokerage, Mike spent 25 years in industry. He was actively involved as a partner or 100% owner in a number of mid-market manufacturers. Mike's penchant for business transactions surfaced during his time in industry in which he bought and sold seven different businesses for his own account or for syndicates for which he was the managing partner. With decades of experience in operating businesses, Mike brought a rare understanding of and sensitivity for business owners as they addressed transitioning their businesses to new ownership.
Mike has a B.S. from Yale University and a M.B.A. from Columbia University. He and his wife Lori are 33 year residents of Ada Township, Michigan where they live with their three rescue dogs as Mike now enjoyes his retirement.