Services
Acquisition-Led Exit Planning for Owner-Led Companies
If your business still depends too much on you, I help you build transferable value, reduce buyer discounts, and use bolt-on acquisitions to move up the valuation ladder, with clear criteria, financing discipline, and integration standards so deals add value (not risk).
What I do (in plain English)
Most owners don’t need “more advice.” They need clarity on what buyers will discount, and a plan that actually gets executed.
I work with owner-led manufacturing, construction/trades, industrial services, specialty distribution, and B2B services to:
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close the value gap (what it’s worth now vs. what you need at exit)
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remove buyer discounts (concentration, owner dependency, reporting clarity, volatility, weak repeatability)
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build transferable value so the business can run, and grow, without the owner at the center
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use bolt-on acquisitions to move up the valuation ladder, with a clear thesis, criteria/no-go rules, financing realities, and integration standards so deals add value (not risk)
I’m not a broker looking for a listing. I’m a growth-and-exit advisor focused on building a buyer-ready business before you sell.
The 5 Levels of Services
Most owners don’t need an open-ended consulting engagement. They need a decision-grade plan and a disciplined execution path that removes buyer discounts and builds transferable value. The levels below are designed to match where you are today: start with clarity, move into value-building execution, add bolt-ons as an accelerator when they’re part of the plan, and then govern the final pre-sale process when you’re approaching market.
Pricing is shown as typical ranges so you can self-qualify. Final scope and fee depend on complexity, timeline, and (if bolt-ons are part of the plan) deal activity. After the Readiness Call, you’ll receive a written scope and fixed fee or monthly range before any work begins.
Most owners start with Levels 1–3 to close buyer discounts and build transferable value. Many add Level 4 to accelerate value through bolt-ons. When you’re preparing to go to market, Level 5 governs the exit process.
The 5 Levels (how most engagements flow)
Bolt-ons are one of the fastest value levers when underwritten and integrated like a buyer would expect.
You can start at the level that matches your urgency and readiness.​
Level 1: Value Gap + Exit Timing Diagnostic (1–2 weeks)
A fast, decision-grade baseline to clarify value, timing, and priorities.
You get:
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Value gap snapshot (baseline vs. target)
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Top buyer discounts likely affecting your multiple
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“Sell now vs. improve first” timing view
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Recommended path forward (what to do next and why)
Typical investment: $3,500–$6,500 (fixed fee; confirmed after the Readiness Call based on complexity).
Best for: owners who want clarity before committing to deeper work.
Level 2: 10-Day Value Gap + Acquisition Readiness Sprint (10 business days)
Your premium “decision artifact” that turns uncertainty into a sequenced plan.
You get:
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Value Gap Scorecard + Buyer Risk Stack
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Acquisition posture: (if bolt-ons are part of the plan): bolt-ons that could accelerate value, plus the criteria/no-go rules that prevent deal chasing
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Financing + integration readiness screen: what’s fundable, what’s risky, and what must be true before pursuing a deal
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12–18 month roadmap (5–7 moves, sequenced, buyer-driven)
Typical investment: $9,500–$12,500 (most engagements land at the top end when bolt-ons are being evaluated).
Continuation credit: 50% credited toward your first implementation sprint or first retainer month if started within 30 days.
Best for: owners serious about a premium sale in 2–5 years who want a clear, buyer-aligned plan.
Level 3: Value Acceleration Retainer (6–12 months)
Execution to remove buyer discounts and build transferable value.
We focus on:
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reducing owner dependency and key-person risk
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strengthening reporting clarity and diligence readiness
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reducing concentration and revenue fragility
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increasing predictability (margin/ops stability)
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building team depth, systems, and performance cadence
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AI-enabled operational friction reduction where it genuinely improves execution
Typical investment: $6,000–$12,000/month (scope scales with urgency and operational complexity).
Best for: owners who want disciplined execution without guesswork.
Level 4: Acquisition Execution Support (deal-specific, optional accelerator)
Bolt-ons executed with discipline: financeable, integration-safe, and buyer-positive.
Support can include:
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target profile + shortlist + deal triage (fast “yes/no” filters)
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financing strategy coordination (lenders, SBA options where relevant)
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LOI support + diligence planning and deal pacing
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integration risk prevention + first-90-days plan to protect value
Typical range: $10,000–$20,000/month during active phases (plus milestones as needed, structured to prevent deal-chasing).
Best for: owners using acquisitions to strengthen the eventual exit, platform building, not deal chasing.
Level 5: Exit Execution Retainer (typically last 4–9 months pre-sale)
Quarterback the process so you enter market prepared, and negotiate from strength.
Includes:
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“buyer-ready” packaging: story, metrics, risk mitigation evidence
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diligence rehearsal + data room readiness
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deal-team coordination (CPA/CFO, attorney, wealth adviser)
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broker / M&A advisor selection support and process governance
Typical range: $10,000–$18,000/month depending on complexity + process governance & deal-team coordination so you negotiate from strength).
Best for: owners approaching market who want a controlled, professional exit process.
I’m not a broker. I help you build a business worth more before you sell.
Pricing note: Fees reflect scope and complexity, aligned to buyer diligence risk and value-at-stake. For context, a single Quality of Earnings analysis often runs $25k–$75k+; most clients use these levels to reduce buyer discounts and protect outcomes before they go to market.
How I work with your trusted advisors
This is founder-led, hands-on work—and you don’t have to replace your existing team.
I collaborate with:
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CPA / Fractional CFO: normalization, reporting discipline, diligence readiness (QofE-ready story)
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Attorney: corporate housekeeping, contracts, risk containment
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Wealth adviser: personal readiness, tax/estate coordination and timing
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Lenders / SBA / banking relationships: acquisition funding options and deal constraints upfront
My role: align the work to what buyers pay for, sequence it correctly, and keep execution moving, especially when acquisitions are part of the plan.
Who this is best for
You’ll be a strong fit if:
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you want to exit in 2–5 years (or you need to evaluate that window now)
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the business still depends too much on you
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you suspect buyer discounts are compressing value
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you want a plan grounded in buyer logic and real execution
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you’re open to bolt-on acquisitions as an accelerator, once we’ve set criteria and confirmed integration capacity & financing realities
Not a fit if: you want a broker to list immediately, or you want a generic “business plan” without execution.
FAQ
Do you sell businesses or take a commission?
No. I’m not a broker. My work is focused on increasing enterprise value and reducing buyer discounts before you sell, and helping you run an organized, buyer-ready process when the time comes.
Do I need to be ready for acquisitions?
No. We can start by removing buyer discounts and building a buyer-ready platform while we define an acquisition thesis and criteria. When the platform and financing math support it, we execute bolt-ons to move up the valuation ladder.
What if I just want the plan and my team executes?
That’s an option. The roadmap is built to be usable without me. Many owners still choose implementation support for speed and accountability.
How quickly can we start?
Start with the Readiness Call. If it’s a fit, we’ll confirm the right starting level and timeline.
What’s the first step?
Book the Readiness Call (30 minutes, confidential, no cost).
Ready to close the value gap and build a buyer-ready business?
Book a confidential call to clarify your timeline, buyer discounts, and where bolt-on acquisitions can accelerate value (with the right criteria and funding plan).