Five questions
Two minutes · today
What you do, roughly what you turn over, how much of it runs through you, and when you might consider selling. Then how to reach you.
That is enough for us to know whether there is any point talking, which saves you an hour if there isn’t.
You pick a time
Same day
Straight after the questions you get our calendar. Pick whatever suits — evenings and early mornings are usually available, because most owners would rather not take this call from the office.
If nothing works, we will come back to you the same day anyway.
A 45-minute call
Usually within a week
By video, with Mark, not an associate working through a list. You talk about what you built, how it runs and what you would actually want out of it. We ask about earnings, the team, how work comes in and how much of it needs you personally.
Bring your spouse, your accountant, your attorney — anyone you would want in the room. We would rather you had someone else looking at this than not.
Your number
Often on the same call
We tell you what we would pay and how we would structure it. Where we cannot do that on the call, we tell you exactly what we still need and when you will have it — usually within a few days.
If we are not the right buyer, we say so there and then, and we tell you why. We will also tell you what we would do in your position, whether that involves us or not.
You think about it
However long you need
Most owners take the number away and sit with it. That is the normal outcome and there is no follow-up campaign designed to wear you down.
Some come back a week later. Some come back in two years, having used the number to decide what to fix first. Both are fine.
Letter of intent
If you decide to go ahead
We put price and structure in writing. An LOI sets out the deal but does not commit you to selling — you can still walk away, and owners do.
This is the point to have your own attorney involved if they are not already. Do not sign anything on our say-so.
Diligence
30 to 60 days
We go through financials, contracts, equipment, staffing and anything else that affects what the business is really worth. You will be asked for documents, and some of it is tedious.
This is also where deals fall over, usually because something surfaces that neither side knew about. We would rather find it now than after closing.
Closing
60 to 90 days from the offer
Legal documents, then funds. If the deal includes seller financing or an earn-out, part of the money arrives later on an agreed schedule, and that is set out in writing before you sign anything.
Then we agree together how and when your team and customers hear about it. You decide that, not us.