M&A insights for business owners
Valuation multiples, buyer guides and exit planning for owners of $5M–$50M revenue businesses. Written by the team that runs the deals. Book a discovery call →
Should I Sell My Company to My Employees? A Practical Guide for Owners
If you have a strong team and are thinking about succession, selling your company to your employees can be a powerful way to protect your legacy and reward the people who helped build it. This guide walks through when an employee buy-out makes sense, how it’s funded, and what to watch out for so you do not put your retirement at risk.
Management Buy-Out: How to Buy Out Your Boss
Ready to buy the business you help run? Learn how to structure the deal, secure funding, and become an owner, even with limited capital.
How to Sell a Fire Protection Company
Learn how to sell your fire protection company for maximum value. This guide covers how buyers value fire protection businesses, what to prepare before going to market, how to reduce owner dependence, and how to navigate deal structures so you can maximize your exit.
The PE Playbook: 9 Attacks Private Equity Use to Lower Your Valuation. How Entrepreneurs Can Defend Themselves
Private equity buyers are skilled at lowering valuations. Here are the nine tactics they use most often and how founders can protect their number.
Buying a Competitor: How to Value their Business
Buying a competitor business can fast-track your growth, but only if you evaluate the right factors. Learn how to assess synergies, cultural alignment, and deal risks before making your move.
Private Equity Rollovers: How to Sell Your Company Twice
Many founders sell too early. The private equity rollover lets you sell once for liquidity, stay in to grow with capital and expertise, and sell again for a second, larger payday. Here’s how it works and what to watch for.
How to Value a Business Before You Buy It
A practical guide for acquisition entrepreneurs on how to value a small business before submitting an LOI. Learn to normalize EBITDA, apply risk-adjusted multiples, compare similar deals, and sense-check payback periods. Includes a simple framework and advice on when to hire professionals.
What to Do If You Receive an Unsolicited Offer for Your Business
Most unsolicited offers never close, and many buyers are not “real.” This article explains how to separate serious buyers from tire-kickers, why competitive processes lead to better outcomes, and how Breakwater reduces fees if you already have a buyer at the table.
Business Valuation Explained: How Buyers Value Your Company (and How to Increase It)
Selling a business requires more than a handshake - it requires understanding your company's true value. In this comprehensive guide, we demystify business valuation methods from EBITDA multiples to discounted cash flow analysis. Discover the factors that drive buyer interest, industry-specific valuation benchmarks, and practical strategies to increase your company's worth before selling. Whether you're planning an exit this year or in five years, these valuation insights will help you maximize the wealth you walk away with when it's time to sell.
Can You Sell an Unprofitable Company? (How to Avoid a Distressed Exit)
Worried your company's unprofitable and unsellable? You can sell it, but you probably won't like the outcome. Here's what to do instead to get back in control.
How to Sell a Cleaning Company: Owner's Exit Guide
Selling your cleaning company? This guide explains how to value your business, prepare for due diligence, reduce owner dependency, and maximize your exit. Whether you're planning to retire or shift to new ventures, Breakwater M&A shows you how to get top dollar for your janitorial or commercial cleaning business.
Selling a Tech Company: A Guide for Founders Ready to Exit
Selling a tech company isn’t like selling any other business. From IP ownership and recurring revenue to customer churn and founder dependence, buyers scrutinize every detail. In this guide, we break down how to prepare your business for a successful exit: covering financial readiness, valuation benchmarks by business model, and what top buyers look for. Whether you're 12 months out or actively considering offers, learn how to avoid costly mistakes and make your exit a strategic win
How Poor Exit Planning Cost a Landscaping Owner $550,000 - and How to Avoid It
Learn from a real-world M&A case study where a landscaping owner lost $550,000 by selling at the wrong time. This guide explains how proper exit planning, customer diversification, and financial readiness can boost your business value. Download the Million Dollar Exit Guide and Exit Checklist for Landscaping Owners by registering today!
How to Sell a Business with $2M–$5M in Revenue: A No-BS Guide for First-Time Sellers
A no-BS guide for first-time sellers with $2M–$5M in revenue. Learn how to prepare, value, and market your business to North American buyers with confidence.
Should I Use a Business Broker to Sell My Business?
Thinking of selling your business? Discover why working with a business broker or M&A advisor can increase your sale price by up to 25%, even if you already have buyers.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 5
Learn how to negotiate the sale of your business to maximize value, not just price. Understand key M&A deal terms like earn-outs, seller financing, and risk allocation. Breakwater Advisors helps founders secure better outcomes with higher cash at close and lower risk.
How to Sell an IT MSP Company
Learn how to sell your IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) business for maximum value. Discover valuation methods specific to MSPs, preparation strategies, and how to work with M&A advisors to achieve the best exit outcome.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 4
Learn how to market your $5M–$50M business to the right buyers, from strategic acquirers to private equity firms. Understand different buyer types and how to position your company for maximum value.
The Million Dollar Business Exit Guide: Part 3
Learn how to structure your business sale, asset vs. stock sale, to minimize taxes, reduce risk, and maximize value. This guide helps $5M–$50M business owners make informed M&A decisions.
Why SaaS Founders Are Buying Brick & Mortar Businesses
With AI disrupting SaaS margins, savvy tech founders are acquiring brick & mortar businesses to diversify. Learn why service-based companies with $2M–$20M revenue are the smart hedge, and how to avoid the myths around SMB acquisitions.