Exit-Readiness for SMB owners with no Succession Plan

You've spent decades building your life's work. It's time to ensure its legacy and maximize its value.

We are a strategic partner for SMB owners seeking a dignified and purposeful exit.

Owner-operators we work with

  • Silhouette of a person with short hair and a clock showing 3 o'clock behind them.

    Aging SMB Owners

    You are a founder nearing retirement, with a deep, personal history tied to your business. You are seeking a dignified transition, not just a transaction.

  • Silhouette of a person with a lightbulb above their head containing a checkmark, symbolizing an idea or inspiration.

    No Succession plan

    Your primary driver is to ensure your legacy and the future of your employees. Financial reward is critical, but it is not the only variable.

  • Silhouette of a person's head with a brain illustration inside.

    Weak systems

    You are tired of the daily grind and operational burdens. You understand that your business needs a systemic upgrade, but you do not have the energy or desire to be the one to implement it.

Businesses we work with

  • Fragmented industries

  • Icon of a person with an arrow pointing to another person, representing the concept of transfer or assignment of a person to a different individual.

    Recurring revenue

  • No laptops allowed sign.

    Low or no Tech Adoption

What we offer

An exit engineered to help you reap the full rewards of your life's work; Notably, the powerful, hidden asset in your dedication and decades of experience.

Our process transforms the value you built with your own hands into a purposeful, high-multiple exit, ensuring that every drop of blood, sweat and tear you invested is fully realized.

 Common Seller FAQs

*Important Note:

These are general recommendations only; We recommend scheduling an in-depth consultation to identify a strategy for maximizing the enterprise value and ultimate sale price for your company.

  • Step 1: Confirm 24–36 months of steady EBITDA

    • Why it matters: Buyers want to see proof of repeatability, not one strong year.

    • Next Steps: Close monthly books consistently and track EBITDA to show stability.

    Step 2: Document that operations run without you

    • Why it matters: A business reliant on the owner is harder to transfer.

    • Next Steps: Delegate responsibilities and document processes before going to market.

    Framework: 3Cs

    • Cash Flow

      • Why it matters: Predictable profits drive valuation multiples.

      • Next Steps: Eliminate noise in financials and show consistency.

    • Control Transfer

      • Why it matters: Buyers want seamless succession.

      • Next Steps: Put leadership and SOPs in place.

    • Cleanliness

      • Why it matters: Messy books create discounts.

      • Next Steps: Audit records and contracts ahead of diligence.

  • Step 1: Calculate normalized EBITDA

    • Why it matters: Buyers only pay for true recurring earnings.

    • Next Steps: Remove personal and one-time costs to show accurate profitability.

    Step 2: Benchmark industry multiples

    • Why it matters: Valuations differ by industry and size.

    • Next Steps: Compare against recent transactions in your sector.

    Framework: M.E.G.A.

    • Multiple Range

      • Why it matters: Establishes baseline market value.

      • Next Steps: Research typical multiples in your sector.

    • EBITDA Quality

      • Why it matters: Clean, verified earnings command premiums.

      • Next Steps: Commission a Quality of Earnings report.

    • Growth Profile

      • Why it matters: Faster growth attracts higher bids.

      • Next Steps: Highlight growth opportunities with data.

    • Adjustments

      • Why it matters: Risk factors reduce price.

      • Next Steps: Fix or disclose them early.

  • Step 1: Remove owner-only tasks

    • Why it matters: Dependency reduces transferability.

    • Next Steps: Train managers and build SOPs.

    Step 2: Lock key customers with contracts

    • Why it matters: Buyers pay for predictability.

    • Next Steps: Secure renewals and multi-year agreements.

    Framework: V.A.L.U.E.

    • Visibility

      • Why it matters: Buyers trust what they can measure.

      • Next Steps: Build dashboards with KPIs.

    • Autonomy

      • Why it matters: A self-sufficient company is more valuable.

      • Next Steps: Prove leadership depth.

    • Longevity

      • Why it matters: Long-term contracts de-risk cash flow.

      • Next Steps: Showcase customer retention metrics.

    • Unit Economics

      • Why it matters: Healthy margins support growth.

      • Next Steps: Eliminate leakage and document pricing logic.

    • Evidence

      • Why it matters: Buyers need validation.

      • Next Steps: Provide a sell-side QoE.

  • Step 1: Prep phase (4–8 weeks)

    • Why it matters: Front-loading work avoids later delays.

    • Next Steps: Build your data room early.

    Step 2: Marketing & LOIs (10–16 weeks)

    • Why it matters: Attracting qualified buyers takes targeted outreach.

    • Next Steps: Work with an advisor to filter serious prospects.

    Framework: P.O.D.C.T.

    • Prep

      • Why it matters: Poor prep slows everything.

      • Next Steps: Assemble financials and legal docs upfront.

    • Outreach

      • Why it matters: Quality buyers beat quantity.

      • Next Steps: Market strategically.

    • Deals

      • Why it matters: LOIs shape negotiations.

      • Next Steps: Manage terms carefully.

    • Confirm

      • Why it matters: Diligence validates everything.

      • Next Steps: Prepare early to avoid retrades.

    • Transition

      • Why it matters: Smooth handoff protects value.

      • Next Steps: Plan retention and training.

  • Step 1: Measure dependency on you

    • Why it matters: More reliance equals longer commitment.

    • Next Steps: Reduce dependency now.

    Step 2: Draft transition milestones

    • Why it matters: Protects against open-ended obligations.

    • Next Steps: Put dates and deliverables in the APA.

    Framework: R.A.M.P.

    • Reliance

      • Why it matters: Founders often hold key knowledge.

      • Next Steps: Transfer to team pre-sale.

    • Autonomy

      • Why it matters: Autonomy shortens transition.

      • Next Steps: Assign roles and responsibilities.

    • Milestones

      • Why it matters: Milestones prevent scope creep.

      • Next Steps: Map a 90–180 day transition plan.

    • Protection

      • Why it matters: Protects your time post-close.

      • Next Steps: Negotiate scope, pay, and timeline clearly.

 Common Buyer FAQs

*Important Note:

These insights are intended for general guidance only. We recommend scheduling a detailed buyer strategy session to evaluate your acquisition criteria, deal structure, and post-close integration plan to ensure a buying decisions align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

  • Step 1: Confirm stable EBITDA

    • Why it matters: Predictable profits allow financing.

    • Next Steps: Look for 3 years of steady EBITDA.

    Step 2: Test customer concentration

    • Why it matters: Too much reliance on one client is risky.

    • Next Steps: Check no customer exceeds 20%.

    Framework: S.C.O.R.E.

    • Stability

      • Why it matters: Buyers need confidence cash flows will continue.

      • Next Steps: Verify earnings quality.

    • Concentration

      • Why it matters: Overdependence creates fragility.

      • Next Steps: Diversify or discount valuation.

    • Operational Upside

      • Why it matters: Inefficiencies are opportunities.

      • Next Steps: Look for cost savings or tech gaps.

    • Resilient Team

      • Why it matters: Talent continuity ensures handoff.

      • Next Steps: Retention packages keep them engaged.

    • Evidence

      • Why it matters: Data must back claims.

      • Next Steps: Insist on proper diligence.

  • Step 1: Show financing certainty

    • Why it matters: Sellers want confidence you can close.

    • Next Steps: Provide bank commitment or proof of funds.

    Step 2: Submit a clean LOI

    • Why it matters: Sellers avoid deals with many outs.

    • Next Steps: Offer simplicity and certainty.

    Framework: C.L.O.S.E.

    • Certainty

      • Why it matters: Funding certainty wins deals.

      • Next Steps: Show it upfront.

    • Likeability

      • Why it matters: Owners want to trust you.

      • Next Steps: Build rapport early.

    • Offer Clarity

      • Why it matters: Confusion kills momentum.

      • Next Steps: Make terms transparent.

    • Speed

      • Why it matters: Faster deals reduce risk.

      • Next Steps: Commit to aggressive diligence.

    • Execution

      • Why it matters: Sellers fear re-trades.

      • Next Steps: Prove you can close as agreed.

  • Step 1: Decide equity stake

    • Why it matters: Sets your skin in the game.

    • Next Steps: Balance equity to debt.

    Step 2: Layer in bank debt and seller notes

    • Why it matters: Optimizes structure.

    • Next Steps: Negotiate terms that align incentives.

    Framework: M.I.X.E.D.

    • Mix

      • Why it matters: Spreads risk.

      • Next Steps: Combine equity, bank, seller.

    • Interest

      • Why it matters: Coverage ratio must be safe.

      • Next Steps: Test DSCR under stress.

    • eXpected DSCR

      • Why it matters: Protects against downturns.

      • Next Steps: Use conservative cases.

    • Earn-outs

      • Why it matters: Aligns seller’s incentives.

      • Next Steps: Tie to achievable KPIs.

    • Duration

      • Why it matters: Avoid mismatched maturities.

      • Next Steps: Match to cash cycle.

  • Step 1: Underwrite to cash-on-cash returns

    • Why it matters: Multiples are misleading.

    • Next Steps: Focus on yield and IRR.

    Step 2: Build downside case

    • Why it matters: Protects against optimistic assumptions.

    • Next Steps: Model stress scenarios.

    Framework: R.U.L.E.S.

    • Returns

      • Why it matters: Cash yield matters most.

      • Next Steps: Measure against risk-free alternatives.

    • Unbiased EBITDA

      • Why it matters: Inflated numbers cause losses.

      • Next Steps: Normalize conservatively.

    • Low-Regret Downside

      • Why it matters: Protect capital.

      • Next Steps: Price to survive worst case.

    • Exit Multiple

      • Why it matters: Future is uncertain.

      • Next Steps: Cap assumptions low.

    • Stop

      • Why it matters: Discipline saves you.

      • Next Steps: Walk away if limits breached.

  • Step 1: Tie revenue to cash

    • Why it matters: Prevents fake earnings.

    • Next Steps: Match invoices to deposits.

    Step 2: Analyze retention and cohorts

    • Why it matters: Reveals customer stickiness.

    • Next Steps: Chart churn over time.

    Framework: F.R.A.U.D.

    • Financial mismatches

      • Why it matters: Inconsistencies hide risk.

      • Next Steps: Reconcile everything.

    • Retention weakness

      • Why it matters: Churn destroys value.

      • Next Steps: Analyze cohorts.

    • Accounting anomalies

      • Why it matters: Aggressive recognition inflates results.

      • Next Steps: Test revenue policies.

    • Unknown liabilities

      • Why it matters: Surprise lawsuits kill deals.

      • Next Steps: Demand full disclosures.

    • Data risks

      • Why it matters: Cyber gaps create hidden costs.

      • Next Steps: Audit IT security.

If You Are Ready for a Partner, Not a Broker, Let's Begin.

This is not a sales call. It is a strategic dialogue. We only engage with individuals who are prepared to redefine what's possible.