About Us

Garrett Schmidt

founder
My upbringing in the Washington D.C. Metro area, within a family involved in small business ownership, instilled in me a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine appreciation for the vital role local businesses play in our community.
Immediately after high school, while pursuing my education, I gained valuable hands-on experience as a project manager at two local businesses. This foundation led me to explore starting and running a transportation business for a few years and flipping houses on the side. My focus eventually shifted to commercial real estate, where I began acquiring and managing multifamily apartment buildings, building a rental portfolio that I continue to oversee.
Driven by a desire to support and empower fellow small business owners, I launched The DMV Search in June 2025. My vision is to combine my investment and project management expertise with my network within the small business community to provide tailored solutions for owners seeking to preserve their legacy. We are committed to adding significant value to already thriving small businesses, ensuring their continued growth and success for generations to come.
I’m grateful to have a strong support network and valuable mentors. My wife, Milan, is also a tremendous source of support. Outside of work, Milan and I enjoy traveling, staying active through workouts, and the joys of parenting our dog, Tyson.

Our Acquisition Principles

Long-Term Vision

We pursue the investment or acquisition of small businesses with a long-term horizon. This enables us to cultivate future strategies and make decisions that are specifically tailored to the benefit of the individual business, independent of broader investment group or platform company objectives.

Hands-On Operations

With each acquisition, we are deeply involved in the daily operations and strategic growth – these are not passive investments. Post-acquisition, we collaborate closely with the existing team to ensure smooth operations and build a strong future.

People First Culture

At our core, we value great people and great cultures as the engine of business success. Respect for our employees, customers, and community is not just a practice, but a fundamental measure of our achievements.

Drop us a line!