DJ Waddell is the Owner and Principal of Waddell Mergers & Acquisitions. He is a Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional and Licensed Business Broker, specializing in middle market and lower middle market business acquisitions and sales.

DJ founded Waddell Mergers & Acquisitions with a clear goal: to bring integrity, strategy, and expertise to the business sales process. After years in the industry, he saw a gap in the market for a firm that truly understood the unique needs of small business owners—particularly those preparing for retirement or a major life transition. He wanted to build a boutique advisory firm that combined Wall Street-level sophistication with Main Street values. At Waddell M&A, we don’t just broker transactions—we help business owners protect their legacy, maximize value, and move on to their next chapter with confidence.

DJ attended college at Florida Gulf Coast University and graduated with a B.S. in Finance, giving him an ability to meticulously analyze corporate financial statements that few can rival. After college DJ founded and sold two real estate companies before finding his true passion, facilitating the sale and acquisitions of businesses. DJ enjoys solving complex puzzles, which has lead to him becoming expert in complex and creative deal structuring.