Ready for scale, succession, or sale.
Whether the next chapter is a sale, a handoff to the next generation, or simply a business that runs without you, the work starts years before the event.
The business can’t depend on you forever.
Most founder-led companies are worth less than their owners think, for one reason: too much of the value walks out the door when the founder does. Customer relationships, institutional knowledge, final decisions, all concentrated in one person.
Same revenue. Very different price.
Two companies with identical financials can sell for very different multiples. The difference is how much of the business walks out the door with the founder.
Owner-dependent
- Key relationships live with the founder
- Process knowledge in people's heads
- No leadership bench behind the owner
- Buyers discount the price, or walk
Transferable
- Customer relationships owned by the team
- Core processes documented and measured
- Next generation identified and developing
- Premium multiple, more and better bidders
The same work that makes the business transferable makes it more valuable, whether you sell in two years or never sell at all. It starts 2+ years before the event, while it can still move the number.
From 4x with strings to 9x, all cash.
A founder-led business. Two years of transferability work. Same revenue line.
A 4x multiple with a multi-year earn-out: price paid over years, tied to staying on.
A 9x multiple, all cash at close. No earn-out. No strings.
From our client work. Details anonymized.
What moves the multiple.
The habits buyers pay a premium for, and successors quietly depend on.
Start 2–3 years out
Value work needs runway. Begun early, it still moves the number.
De-risk the founder seat
Customer relationships and final approvals move to the team.
Get it out of heads
Processes documented so a successor can actually run them.
Build the second layer
Named successors with real decision rights, tested early.
Close the books monthly
Diligence-grade financials, on time, no surprises.
Know your number
An honest valuation baseline, updated yearly, before a buyer sets it.
We get paid when the number moves.
The engagement is built so our interests sit on your side of the table.
An honest starting value we set together, before any talk of a sale.
A modest fixed fee runs the hands-on work. No hourly meters.
Our success fee applies only to value created above that baseline. Your upside is our upside.
Where do you stand? Two minutes, no forms.
Six questions, scored right here in your browser. Bring the result to a 30-minute call and we’ll turn it into a runway.
Your answers never leave this page. Nothing is sent or stored.
The more lead time, the better.
Two years is a comfortable runway, but the same steps compress into a much shorter clock. The best time to start is whenever you're ready.
Baseline & Gaps
An honest valuation and the list of what holds it down.
Transferability Build
Processes documented, relationships moved to the team.
Bench & Books Proven
Successors running the P&L; monthly diligence-grade close.
Process & Close
Diligence pack, offer modeling, and negotiation support alongside your counsel. Sale, handoff, or hold. Your call.
Specific work, specific outcomes.
Making the business transferable is the same work as making it more valuable.
Enterprise Value Assessment
An honest baseline of what the business is worth now, and what’s holding the number down.
Succession Planning
Identifying and developing the next generation of leaders before the transition forces it.
Process Documentation
Getting the business out of people’s heads and into systems a successor can run.
Financial Readiness
Clean, credible financials that survive diligence.
Exit Strategy & Timing
Sale, family transition, or hold: the options laid out with real numbers.
Transition Execution
Hands-on support through the handoff itself, not just the plan for it.
What "good" looks like.
A business that’s ready for scale and succession, on your timeline.
We’re guiding three founder-led firms in different industries through a combined $55MM in exits while preparing their next generation of leaders.
Core processes documented and owned by the team, not the founder.
Value-building work starts well before a sale or handoff, while it can still move the number.
Common questions.
When should I start planning my exit?
Earlier than most owners think. Value work needs runway, and begun early it still moves the number. Starting ahead of a sale gives you time to build transferable value and set an honest baseline before a buyer sets one for you.
How do you increase the value of my business?
We build the transferable value buyers pay a premium for, so the company runs without depending on any one person. That work is what turned a 4x offer with a multi-year earn-out into a 9x multiple, paid in cash at close, for one client.
Do you replace my attorney or accountant?
No. We work alongside your legal and financial counsel and add offer modeling and negotiation support. Sale, handoff, or hold, the decision is always yours.
What is the Exit-Readiness Check?
It is a free, six-question self-assessment on this page that scores how transferable your business is today and how much value may be on the table. It takes about two minutes and your answers stay on your device.
How do I sell my business in Iowa?
Start with an honest read on what it is worth to a buyer today. Our free Exit-Readiness Check takes two minutes. From there we help you build transferable value, model offers, and manage the sale alongside your attorney and accountant. For the full picture, read our guide to selling a business in Iowa.
What is my business worth?
More than revenue decides it. Two companies with identical numbers sell for very different prices based on how well the business runs without the owner. We set an honest baseline before a buyer sets one for you.
Do you work with owners across Iowa?
Yes. We are based in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City and work with owners statewide, in person or remote. We also serve clients nationally.
Tell us where you are.
We'll tell you if we can help.
A 30-minute conversation, no pitch. A focused discussion of where this could create value in your business. Based in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, working with owners across Iowa.