Once the Readiness & Value Assessment establishes the starting point, we move into the Prepare & Plan phase—where real value growth happens. This is where we work alongside business owners over 3 to 9 months (or longer) to execute prioritized strategies that drive value and prepare for a successful exit.

This phase is centered on:

• Aligning vision with execution through clear business, personal, and financial goals.
• Creating integrated action plans broken down into 90-day sprints.
• Focusing on the most impactful value drivers, such as recurring revenue, customer diversification, systems, leadership development, and intangible capital strength.
• De-risking the business to ensure sustainability, scalability, and transferability.
• Preparing financials, teams, and processes to be due diligence-ready at any time.

Deliverables include:

• A fully integrated 90-day action plan rhythm to create accountability and momentum.
• Workshops to align leadership, refine strategy, and track key milestones.
• Regular reviews of progress toward closing the Value Gap and reducing the Wealth Gap.
• A strengthened business that is more attractive, more predictable, and more aligned with the owner’s exit timeline and goals.

Our objective? 

To move from being ready in theory to being ready in reality—so when the right opportunity comes, you’re prepared to say yes with confidence.

With the business and owner now fully prepared, we transition to the Go-to-Market phase—where preparation meets opportunity. At this point, the business is both attractive and ready, and the owner is confident in moving forward. This phase is about executing a structured and confidential sale process to achieve the best possible outcome.

Key priorities:

• Onboarding for Sale – Finalizing documentation, verifying financials, and updating the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM).
• Developing a custom marketing strategy to discreetly attract qualified buyers (strategic, financial, or internal).
• Segmenting and targeting the buyer universe while protecting confidentiality throughout the process.
• Managing the M&A process end-to-end, including buyer screening, negotiations, deal structuring, and coordination of advisors (legal, tax, financial).
• Driving toward a clean, high-value transaction with limited disruption and minimized risk.

Deliverables include:

• A professional and compelling Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) and supporting materials.
• A confidential marketing launch plan tailored to ideal buyer types.
• Ongoing deal management, from offer review to due diligence to closing.
• Owner coaching and support through deal negotiations, LOI, and definitive agreements.

The result? 

A transaction that meets or exceeds expectations—financially and personally—supported by a proven process and trusted advisors from start to finish.

For certain businesses—typically those with strong financial performance, industry leadership, or proprietary advantages—we offer an enhanced Strategic & Structured M&A Process. This approach leverages a more curated and competitive buyer environment to unlock premium outcomes.

This phase is selective and tailored, used when a broader market auction isn’t ideal and a targeted, relationship-driven strategy delivers better results.

Key elements:

• Development of a highly targeted strategic buyer list, focusing on synergistic acquirers, private equity groups with a platform fit, or industry players seeking growth.
• Creation and delivery of an M&A Process Letter outlining key deal parameters, buyer expectations, timelines, and response protocols.
• Tight management of confidentiality, communications, and buyer engagement to create competitive tension and control over deal flow.
• Coordination of buyer meetings, responses to indications of interest (IOIs), and transition into final negotiations and due diligence.

Benefits of this approach:

• Faster time to close, as aligned buyers are prioritized early and engaged decisively.
• Stronger offers, driven by fit, strategic synergies, and readiness.
• Increased certainty and control, as timelines and expectations are defined from the outset.

This process is ideal when your business has a clear strategic narrative, a specific buyer type in mind, or the goal of minimizing time in-market while maximizing valuation.

In the final phase, we guide owners through the complex, high-stakes final stretch of the sale process—from offer to close and beyond. With value maximized and the right buyer engaged, our role shifts to deal facilitation, negotiation support, and ensuring a seamless transition.

This is where details matter most—and experience counts.

Our focus:

• Managing deal momentum through the negotiation of Letters of Intent (LOIs) and purchase agreements.
• Leading coordination of legal, tax, and financial advisors to maintain alignment and protect the seller’s interests.
• Facilitating the due diligence process—efficiently and thoroughly—ensuring responses are prompt, organized, and complete.
• Navigating deal structure conversations (e.g., earn-outs, seller notes, equity rollover) to balance risk and reward.
• Supporting the transition planning to ensure continuity for employees, customers, and the new owner.

Deliverables include:

• Comprehensive deal management and negotiation support, with frequent communication and real-time issue resolution.
• Assistance with due diligence packaging and data room organization.
• Post-close transition plan aligned to the seller’s desired level of involvement and legacy goals.
• Emotional and strategic guidance throughout to ensure the owner finishes strong—financially and personally.

The outcome? 

A successful and satisfying exit—one that honors the owner’s years of work, protects their legacy, and sets them up for what’s next.