Insights
Straight answers on selling, buying, and hiring an M&A advisor.
Short, practical guides written for owners in Portland, Vancouver WA, and the Pacific Northwest — no jargon, no hedging.
Buyers · 3 min read
M&A Advisory for Private Equity Transactions
How M&A advisory changes when the buyer is a private equity firm — different diligence, different structure, rollover equity, and what to expect from PE buyers.
ReadProcess · 3 min read
How Much Time Will an M&A Deal Take From Your Schedule?
The realistic personal time commitment for a business owner selling their company — hours per week by phase, and how to protect operating time.
ReadProcess · 3 min read
What Does Transaction Services (FDD) Actually Mean?
A plain-English explanation of financial due diligence — what a quality of earnings report is, who prepares it, and why it matters for both sides of a deal.
ReadSelection · 3 min read
How to Evaluate an M&A Advisor's Track Record
Beyond the tombstones — how to genuinely evaluate an M&A advisor's track record, including deals that didn't close and outcomes vs. expectations.
ReadPricing · 3 min read
M&A Advisory: Flat Fee vs. Success-Based Pricing
The differences between flat-fee and success-based M&A advisor pricing — how each aligns incentives and when each fits.
ReadTeam · 3 min read
Do You Need a Lawyer AND an M&A Advisor?
Why M&A transactions require both an advisor and an attorney — the different roles they play, and why one can't replace the other.
ReadBuy-side · 3 min read
How to Avoid Overpaying in an M&A Transaction
A buyer-side guide to disciplined M&A pricing — valuation frameworks, diligence traps, and the negotiation moves that protect against overpaying.
ReadPost-close · 3 min read
What Happens After Your M&A Deal Closes?
The post-close reality — transition services, earnouts, escrows, integration, and the personal adjustment that catches many sellers off-guard.
ReadIndustry · 3 min read
M&A Advisory for Healthcare and Pharma Companies
The specific dynamics of healthcare and pharma M&A — regulatory considerations, buyer types, valuation drivers, and diligence complexity.
ReadSmall business · 3 min read
Can Small Businesses Afford M&A Advisory Services?
How M&A advisory works for smaller businesses under $5M in enterprise value — fee structures, alternatives, and whether it's worth it.
ReadValue · 3 min read
How M&A Advisors Help You Get a Better Deal Price
The specific ways an M&A advisor increases the price and improves the terms of a business sale — competitive tension, positioning, and negotiation leverage.
ReadProcess · 3 min read
What's Included in an M&A Due Diligence Process?
A comprehensive look at what buyers investigate during due diligence — financial, legal, tax, operational, HR, IT, and commercial.
ReadPreparation · 3 min read
Is Your Company Ready to Be Acquired?
A self-assessment for owners considering a sale — the financial, operational, and personal readiness signals that determine whether now is the right time.
ReadFirst-time · 3 min read
First Time Selling Your Business? Here's What to Expect
A first-time seller's guide to the M&A process — what happens, how long it takes, how it feels, and what surprises to expect.
ReadLocal · 3 min read
How to Find an M&A Advisor in Portland, Oregon
A practical guide to finding the right M&A advisor for a Portland or SW Washington business — where to look, who to talk to, and what to look for locally.
ReadSelection · 3 min read
M&A Advisor Credentials: What Actually Matters?
Which certifications, licenses, and credentials matter when hiring an M&A advisor — and which are marketing.
ReadSelection · 3 min read
What Red Flags Should You Watch for in M&A Advisors?
Warning signs when interviewing M&A advisors — from valuation promises to fee opacity to lack of relevant closed deals.
ReadRisk · 3 min read
Why Do Most M&A Deals Fail (and How to Avoid It)?
Deals fall apart between LOI and closing more often than owners realize. The most common reasons and what to do about them.
ReadPreparation · 3 min read
How to Prepare Your Business for an M&A Advisory Engagement
The specific steps to take before hiring an M&A advisor — cleaning up financials, tightening operations, and organizing documents so the process runs smoothly.
ReadPricing · 3 min read
What Are the Hidden Costs in M&A Deals?
The costs beyond the advisor's fee — legal, quality of earnings, tax, insurance, and post-close obligations — that owners routinely underestimate.
ReadSelection · 3 min read
Should You Hire a Big Firm or a Boutique M&A Advisor?
The real trade-offs between large M&A firms and boutique advisors — and which one actually fits your deal size and situation.
ReadPricing · 3 min read
Can You Negotiate M&A Advisor Fees?
Yes, sometimes — but the parts worth negotiating aren't always the ones owners focus on. What to push on and what to leave alone.
ReadScope · 3 min read
What Does M&A Advisory Actually Involve?
A clear look at what an M&A advisor does across preparation, marketing, negotiation, due diligence, and closing — and what they don't do.
ReadProcess · 3 min read
How Long Does an M&A Process Actually Take?
Realistic timelines for selling a business — from engagement through preparation, marketing, LOI, due diligence, and closing.
ReadValue · 3 min read
M&A Advisory vs. Going It Alone: What's the Real Difference?
Selling your business without an advisor sounds cheaper. Here's what it actually costs — in price, terms, time, and confidentiality.
ReadSelection · 3 min read
What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring an M&A Advisor?
The specific questions that reveal whether an M&A advisor is the right fit — covering experience, process, fees, references, and post-close support.
ReadSelection · 3 min read
How to Choose the Right M&A Advisor for Your Business
A practical framework for evaluating M&A advisors: relevant experience, process quality, chemistry, and the questions that separate real advisors from résumés.
ReadPricing · 3 min read
How Much Does an M&A Advisor Cost?
A plain-English breakdown of what M&A advisors charge, how the fees are structured, and what business owners in Portland and SW Washington should budget for.
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