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Field notes on selling a small business.

Practical writing on valuation, deal structure, the boomer-exit wave, and the mechanics of merging virtually before selling.

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Boomer Exits

Why baby-boomer business owners are choosing syndication

Roughly 2.3 million U.S. businesses are owned by people 65 or older. Most are too small to interest PE alone. Syndication changes the math.

May 12, 20266 min read
Valuation

How to value a small business for a roll-up

Multiples vary wildly by industry, deal structure, and add-backs. Here is what actually moves the number in a virtual-syndicate context.

May 8, 20268 min read
Deal Structure

Cash vs equity: which to take in an acquisition

If the buyer offers a mix, you have a choice to make. Equity carries upside; cash carries certainty. Here is the framework most syndicate members use.

May 4, 20267 min read
Playbook

The 7-step playbook for joining a syndicate

From browsing active syndicates to signing closing docs, here is the full sequence and what to expect at each step.

April 29, 202610 min read
Boomer Exits

Private equity isn't your only buyer

Family offices, search funds, ESOPs, and strategic acquirers all play in the lower-middle-market. Some are a better fit than PE.

April 22, 20266 min read
Deal Structure

What an M&A attorney actually does in a syndicate deal

If you have never done a deal, the legal piece is the part that surprises sellers most. Here is the scope of work and what it costs.

April 15, 20269 min read
For PE

What roll-up operators look for in a target company

If you run a roll-up or platform, here is how to read a syndicate member before you make an offer.

April 8, 20267 min read
Deal Structure

The pre-merger buyout: when a member wants out before close

Not every owner makes it to the closing table. Here is how a syndicate handles a member who wants out mid-process.

April 1, 20265 min read