Chicago-based business brokers and M&A firm specializing in buying and selling privately-held companies.
Blog
October 8, 2026
How Many Times Profit Is a Business Worth? A Guide to Valuation Multiples
There is a sentence that is almost a cliché among business owners: “Businesses in your industry sell for 4X profit.” Owners hear this at trade shows, they hear it from accountants, it gets overheard on the golf course. After something gets repeated often enough, it begins to get taken as fact. The truth is very […]
Read More
October 6, 2026
When Is the Best Time to Sell My Business? A Broker’s Framework
Business owners are famously non-committal when asked when they plan to sell. That’s because most of them truly haven’t thought deeply about it. And that’s a mistake, because “in a few years” isn’t a plan. It’s simply deferring a decision until fate rears its head and hands you its own deadline. We’d be lying if […]
Read More
September 30, 2026
Should I Use a Broker to Sell My Business? Pros, Cons, and Costs
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Nobody likes writing large commission checks. It’s the first objection in any owner’s mind, and it’s entirely logical to think this way. On a sale that stretches into the millions, we’re talking real money. Yet the fee is a trap. It’s the wrong number to focus on. […]
Read More
September 28, 2026
How Much Are Taxes When You Sell a Business? Asset vs. Stock Sale Explained
Let’s talk about a very common (and very frustrating) tax scenario. John sells his manufacturing business for $10M. Across town, his competitor, Jane, sells her business for roughly the same amount. However, John walks away with $750K less in his pockets than Jane. Not because of any fee, but because of how the deals were […]
Read More
August 10, 2026
How to Sell Your Business to a Competitor (Without Losing Control of the Process)
The buyer who intuitively understands your business is also the most dangerous buyer. This is the tension at the heart of selling to a competitor. Competitors don’t need a months-long runway to get up to speed on your market. They know your customers, your suppliers and often your own employees. As a result of being […]
Read More
August 4, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business? A Realistic Timeline
Introduction “How much is my business worth?” is the first question any business seller asks. Yet “how long will this process take?” is a close second. The unvarnished truth is that there is single, guaranteed answer, because the single most important variable (finding the ideal buyer) isn’t fully within the seller’s control. This doesn’t mean […]
Read More
July 28, 2026
How to Prepare Your Business for Sale (and Maximize What You Get)
Introduction You can’t just hang a “for sale” sign on your business and expect to return top dollar. Unfortunately, many business owners never internalize this hard truth before heading to market. If you want to sell fast and at a higher multiple, you need deliberate preparation, often going back at least two years. Why? Because […]
Read More
March 17, 2026
How Much is a Business Really Worth?
Understanding Valuation in the Lower-Middle Market by Using Methods and Ranges The Fast Answer: What is a Business Worth? The basic yardstick for business valuation is EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) adjusted for things such as growth potential, risk and market demand. In the lower-middle market, (or $1M to $100M in enterprise […]
Read More
December 22, 2025
A Five-Minute Guide to Selling Your Manufacturing Business Successfully
Why working with the right advisor makes all the difference. This is it: The biggest transaction of your career. You founded a manufacturing company, defied the odds, and created something that people want to buy. Now you just need to ensure that you don’t fumble the ball at the two-yard line. After 25+ years in […]
Read More
December 11, 2025
Why Selling Your Business to a Competitor is High Risk
Sales to your competition should generally be a last resort The phone call takes you by surprise. It’s your single biggest competitor and they want to talk about making a deal. Depending on where you’re at professionally, such a scenario may sound tempting. After years of hard work, a seemingly ready-made exit to your competition […]
Read More
December 1, 2025
How to Sell a Business to a Competitor Successfully
Why selling to your competition requires a special kind of diligence compared to other types of buyers You’re ready to sell your business and there’s good news: You’ve already got a buyer showing interest. There’s also a catch: He’s your toughest competitor and he’s been trying to put you out of business for years. You’ve […]
Read More
July 24, 2025
Sellers Have All the Leverage in 2025
An unusual confluence of events has created serious strategic advantages for business sellers. Smart owners are taking notice and heading for the exits before the window closes. The morning alarm bell rings and you’re getting ready to face another cascade of emails, vendor problems, and employee drama. Add in the pressures of payroll, insurance premiums […]
Read More
July 21, 2025
The Art of M&A: How to Identify and Execute Strategic Deals
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) often conjure images of corporate battles and cutthroat competition. However, when approached strategically, M&A can be a powerful tool for driving growth, innovation, and long-term success. This post will explore identifying and executing successful M&A deals, highlighting their positive impact on businesses. Identifying Strategic Opportunities The first step in successful M&A […]
Read More
July 7, 2025
M&A as a Force for Good: Creating Positive Social Impact
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) often bring to mind financial gains, market expansion, or operational efficiencies. While these are undeniable benefits, the transformative potential of M&A extends beyond balance sheets and boardrooms. When approached thoughtfully, mergers and acquisitions can be a powerful force for good, driving meaningful social impact and creating value for communities, employees, and […]
Read More
July 1, 2025
Effective Integration Strategies for a Seamless Merger
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are exciting opportunities to unlock growth, drive innovation, and enhance market competitiveness. Far from being disruptive, a well-managed merger or acquisition can create a more vital, dynamic organization capable of delivering excellent value to customers, employees, and stakeholders. The key lies in seamless integration—bringing together the strengths of both entities to […]
Read More
June 27, 2025
Best Practices for Due Diligence and Valuation in M&A
Due diligence and valuation are critical to any successful merger and acquisition (M&A) deal. Businesses can make informed decisions and mitigate risks by conducting thorough due diligence and accurately valuing a target company. Due Diligence: A Deep Dive Due diligence is a comprehensive investigation of a target company’s financial, operational, and legal aspects. It helps […]
Read More
June 23, 2025
Lessons Learned from Successful M&A Deals
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be powerful tools for driving growth and creating value. However, M&A deals are complex and risky, and many fail to achieve their intended objectives. By learning from successful M&A deals, companies can increase their chances of success. Critical Lessons from Successful M&A Deals 1. Clear Strategic Rationale: 2. Thorough Due […]
Read More
June 17, 2025
Manufacturing Heats Up in Private Equity: What the Data Tells Us
When most people think of private equity, manufacturing isn’t usually the first industry that comes to mind. Yet, recent data tells a different story—one of strong and sustained interest in industrial businesses that are quietly powering some of the most active deal-making in the middle market. According to Private Equity Info, over the past two […]
Read More
June 9, 2025
How to Sell Your Sign Manufacturing Business for a Premium
Building a great sign manufacturing business requires years of dedication and savvy decision-making. Yet creating a consistently profitable business is only step one. To be completely successful, you have to exhibit the same determined preparation and analytical thinking when it’s time to exit. The reality is buyers are going to work every angle possible to […]
Read More
June 5, 2025
Leadership Development: A Critical Factor in M&A Success
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can be powerful tools for driving growth and creating value. However, the success of any M&A deal hinges on the seamless integration of talent from both companies. Effective leadership development is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the deal’s value. The Importance of Leadership in M&A Strong leadership is […]
Read More
