So You May Want To Sell Your Small Business?
You’ve built something real — now you’re ready to explore what’s next.
Whether you’re retiring, simplifying, or stepping back, we help owners exit smoothly, protect their legacy, and ensure the business keeps thriving.
Do one of these sound like you?
The Legacy Owner Nearing Retirement with No Succession Plan
You’ve built something lasting — a business with your name, your values, and your fingerprints on every part of it.
If you’re beginning to think about what happens next, we specialize in carrying forward legacies like yours with care, continuity, and respect.
The Tireless Builder & Operator Ready for a Well- Deserved Break
You’ve been the engine behind every part of the business — from sales to operations to payroll — and it’s taken everything you’ve got.
When you’re ready to step back and recharge, we step in to protect what you’ve built and carry it forward with the same commitment.
The Serial Entrepreneur Ready to Pass the Baton to the Next Wave
You’ve done this before — you spotted the opportunity, you built the business, and you created real value. What now?
If this chapter feels complete, we’re here to take the reins and scale what you’ve started, while you focus on what’s next.
If so, you're in the right place.
Why we help business seller's transition to their next phase:
You’ve already done the hard part — building a business that works. You’ve weathered the late nights, worn every hat, and kept it all moving when no one else could. That takes grit, vision, and sacrifice.
We believe those kinds of owners deserve a clear, thoughtful path forward — one that honors what you’ve built, supports your people, and gives you the freedom to move into your next chapter on your terms.
We’re not here to flip your business or strip it for parts. We’re here to understand it, grow it, and protect the legacy you’ve created — with care, discretion, and respect.
Because that's what our communities need.
You don’t need all the answers today. But if the idea of stepping back is starting to feel real, here’s what the next step might look like.
How the Process Works
1. Intro Call – A simple conversation to understand your goals
We start by getting to know each other. You’ll share a bit about your business, your journey, and what a good outcome looks like for you. We’ll share who we are, how we work, and whether there’s alignment.
2. Information Review – A closer look at the fundamentals
If it makes sense to continue, we’ll ask for a few basic financials — like 3-5 years of tax returns and P&L statements. This helps us understand how your business creates value and how it work behind the scenes.
3. Initial Offer – A clear, fair proposal
If your business looks like a fit, we’ll put together a straightforward offer based on the information you’ve shared and market comparisons for similar businesses. We’ll also explore the right structure for you — whether that’s a full exit or a phased handoff.
4. Diligence & Deal Terms – Transparent and collaborative
Together, we’ll confirm key details and finalize the structure: timing, payment terms, transition plan, and your potential role (if any). We’ll also verify the initial information you’ve provided and take a deeper look at how the business creates and sustains growth. This phase helps both sides confirm alignment — and ensures we’re the right long-term partners for your business.
5. Smooth Transition – Your exit, your way
We’ll work with you to design a transition that works for everyone involved — whether that means stepping back immediately or staying on short-term to support the handoff. Our focus is continuity, trust, and honoring what you’ve built.
Who You Sell To Matters Just as Much as the Sale Itself
Selling your business isn’t just a financial decision — it’s a personal one. The right buyer doesn’t just offer a fair price… they understand what you’ve built, respect how you’ve run it, and know how to carry it forward without breaking what works. That’s where we come in.
Why Work With Us?
We’re not brokers, and we’re not a private equity firm looking to flip your business. We’re thoughtful, long-term operators who care about what happens after the handshake.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Whether you’re ready now or just exploring, we’ll work on your timeline — not a broker’s clock.
- You’ll never get a hard sell. Just real conversations and honest answers.
- Employees, customers, culture — we’re here to grow what you’ve built, not change it overnight.
- No hidden fees, no middlemen. Just a deal structure that works for both sides.
Voices From Our Consulting Clients
Our Buyer Bio
Selling your business is personal. You’re not just handing over numbers — you’re handing over relationships, reputation, and years of hard-earned momentum. So it’s fair to ask: Who’s stepping in? We believe sellers deserve to know exactly who they’re talking to, what we stand for, and how we plan to carry the business forward. This isn’t just a transaction — it’s a transition. And trust starts with transparency.
Meet Rob Davidson
I’m Rob Davidson — a WashU MBA candidate and Koch Center Fellow with a deep commitment to local business ownership. Before stepping into the ETA space, I spent over six years helping small business owners grow through sales strategy, digital marketing, and hands-on leadership. I’ve seen firsthand how a well-run business can transform lives — not just for owners, but for employees, customers, and entire communities.
My goal is to acquire and operate a great business in the St. Louis area as a long-term owner and operator. This isn’t a fund or a short-term investment. It’s a legacy I’m looking to build over time — one rooted in the values, people, and systems that already make your business work.
I come from a family that knows the power of small business. My grandfather built two steel companies that helped feed families and reshape his rural community. Today, I’m continuing that legacy — not just with capital and a business plan, but with values, grit, and a long-term mindset.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if my business is even sellable?
If your business has consistent revenue, loyal customers, and isn’t entirely dependent on you personally, it’s likely sellable. We’re not looking for perfection — we’re looking for businesses with good bones and room to grow.
2. Do I need to get my financials in perfect shape before we talk?
No. Just share what you have — even if it’s messy or incomplete. We’ll never punish you for not having CFO-level books. If there’s a real business behind the numbers, we’ll find it together.
3. Are you going to try and lowball me?
Not our style. We believe in clear, fair offers based on the information you share and comparisons to similar businesses. If we can’t get to a number that works for both sides, we’ll part ways respectfully.
4. What happens to my team after the sale?
We keep them in all but the most extreme circumstances. Your people are part of what makes the business work. We’re not interested in tearing things down — we want continuity, culture, and the trust your team already has in place.
5. What if I’m not ready to walk away on Day One?
That’s completely fine. Some owners stay on for a transition period, others for advisory or project work — and some hand over the keys right away. We’ll tailor the plan around what feels right to you.
6. Do I need a broker to sell my business?
No. In fact, most of the prospective sellers we work with never list their business publicly. Working directly with a buyer like us means fewer delays, fewer fees, and a deal shaped around your goals — not a commission check.
7. How long does the whole process take?
Every situation is unique, but from first conversation to closing, it often takes 60 to 90 days. We move efficiently, but never at the expense of clarity or comfort.
8. What if I’ve never sold a business before?
Most of the owners we work with haven’t. That’s why we guide the process end to end — and keep the steps transparent so you always know what’s next.
9. Will I need to tell my employees right away?
No. We’ll work with you to decide when and how to share the news. Our goal is to help make that moment a proud one — not a surprise or a threat.
10. Why should I sell to you instead of a larger firm?
Because we’ll know your name, understand your story, and keep what’s working. We’re not buying you to “extract value” — we’re here to continue building what you’ve started, with the same care and intent you brought to it.
Are Ready to Explore What’s Next for Your Business?
You don’t need to have everything figured out. If you’re simply curious about what a sale might look like — or want to talk through your options — we’re here to listen.
Let's start with a quick conversation.
No pitch. No obligations. Just a chance to connect.
