FREE BUSINESS EXIT GUIDEBuild your million dollar exit
Comprehensive exit planning checklist for the owners of businesses with $2 - $20+ million in revenue.
Psst - book a free value assessment here
Clients with Successful Exit Stories
Hear their full stories on the case studies page here
“Breakwater's expertise was invaluable throughout our acquisition of a competitor. Their third-party perspective helped us navigate emotional dynamics smoothly, keeping negotiations professional and productive.
The acquisition quickly exceeded expectations—delivering immediate returns and positioning us strongly for future growth.”
Murray Seward
“When I first planned on selling my business, I thought I could do it without any support. But now that I have gone through the process, I was relieved to have the Breakwater team there to support me along the way. They certainly added value!”
Zac Roff
Why entrepreneurs trust Breakwater
We prefer to let our results speak for themselves—here’s what our clients have to say about working with us
Breakwater M&A showcased their expertise in helping Valkyrian Canning, Vancouver Island's exclusive mobile canning provider, achieve a successful exit. The company's impressive 198% revenue growth and asset-light business model attracted over 50 interested buyers. Despite an initial setback when the first buyer withdrew, Breakwater's strategic approach of maintaining multiple interested parties led to a successful sale. Post-acquisition, the business continued to thrive with an 89% revenue increase and improved EBITDA margins.
Discover how Breakwater helped entrepreneur Murray Seward successfully expand his whitewater rafting business through strategic acquisition. In this insightful conversation, Murray shares his experience working with Breakwater, highlighting the immediate growth and long-term benefits achieved. Learn why having an expert intermediary was crucial in navigating the emotional dynamics of the acquisition process, and how
Breakwater's expertise ensured a smooth and profitable transition for both buyer and seller. If you're considering growth by acquisition, this video provides valuable insights into making strategic business moves effectively.
Common Questions
Have specific questions? Schedule a confidential consultation call below:
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Our success fee ranges between 3% to 10% depending on the size of your business (bigger business = small fee).
We also charge a small upfront or monthly fee that is subtracted off the success fee at closing.
The purpose of the upfront fee is to ensure we’re both invested in the process as we invest hundreds of hours on each deal.
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The internet will tell you there is a bunch of ways to value a business.
In reality, most of our clients businesses are valued based on a multiple of the businesses profit.
Note: calculating profit for M&A deals is more complicated than looking at your taxable income. This is why we offer a free valuation for entrepreneurs - even if they are not planning to sell in the near future.
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The boring answer = it depends.
That being said, our general guidance is that it often takes 6-8 months to sell a business.
However it is not uncommon for a sale to take over 12 months.
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Most of our clients already have tons of inbound buyer interest - so why hire Breakwater?
Well, these clients also want to maximize their exit potential with the least amount of work possible. This is where Breakwater comes in to generate far more value than our fees.
Want to learn more about buying and selling?
Read our recent thoughts on buying and selling businesses by visiting our blog.
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Private equity buyers are increasingly active in the $2M–$20M revenue range. This guide explains how PE deals work, what buyers look for, and how to position your company for a strong outcome.
A business exit strategy is more than picking a date to sell. This step-by-step framework helps owners of $2M to $20M companies plan their exit timeline, maximize valuation, choose the right buyer, and negotiate terms that protect their legacy and financial future.
Selling a business in Toronto is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make and the broker you choose will shape every part of the outcome. This guide helps owners of $2M to $20M companies understand the Toronto brokerage landscape, evaluate advisors, and run a sale process that maximizes value.
Choosing the right business broker in Vancouver can mean the difference between a smooth, competitive sale and months of wasted effort. This guide breaks down exactly what to look for and what to avoid.
A month-by-month business exit strategy for owners who want to sell in the next 12 months, covering valuation prep, buyer targeting, deal structure, and the mindset shifts that separate great exits from regrettable ones.
Private equity firms are actively acquiring lower middle market businesses, but selling to PE is a fundamentally different process than selling to a strategic buyer or individual. This playbook walks owners through every stage, from understanding what PE firms actually look for to structuring a deal that protects your interests and maximizes value.
Due diligence is where deals survive or die. This guide walks business owners through exactly what buyers will scrutinize and how to prepare every document, process, and answer before the questions start.
Choosing the right business broker in Vancouver can meaningfully change your valuation, timeline, and deal terms - especially for owners of $2M–$50M companies. This guide explains the broker vs. M&A advisor spectrum and gives you a practical framework to interview, compare, and select the right advisor based on process, relevant experience, buyer reach (including cross - border), valuation discipline, deal - structure support, and diligence preparation.
Finding the right business broker in Canada means understanding how regional markets, buyer pools, and advisory models differ and choosing an advisor who fits your deal. Here is what to look for.
Selling a business in Toronto means navigating Canada's most competitive M&A market. Here is how to find the right broker, what to expect from the process, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost Ontario owners real money.
If you have caught yourself Googling "how to sell my business," you are not alone and you are closer to a great outcome than you think. Here is the honest, step-by-step playbook owners in the $2M to $20M range actually need.
Forget generic online calculators. Here is a practical, advisor-grade framework for estimating what your business is actually worth in today's market, based on earnings quality, industry multiples, and what real buyers pay.
A Quality of Earnings report helps buyers confirm “real” EBITDA, uncover risk, and protect purchase price before closing an acquisition.
Selling an agency is not like selling a product company. Your value lives in relationships, talent, and recurring revenue. Here is how owners of $2M to $20M agencies can navigate the process, attract the right buyers, and close a deal that reflects what they have built.
Selling a business in Vancouver means navigating one of Canada's most dynamic and internationally connected M&A markets. Here is how to find the right broker, what to expect from the process, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost BC business owners real money.
Not every exit looks the same. This guide breaks down the seven most common business exit strategies for owners of $2M to $20M companies, including what each path looks like, who it works for, and how to choose the one that fits your goals.
Selling a business in Calgary means navigating a market shaped by energy-sector resilience, a diversifying economy, and a fiercely entrepreneurial culture. Here is how to find the right broker, what to expect from the process, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost Alberta business owners real money.
Landscaping companies are selling at premium multiples as private equity rolls up the industry. Here's what your business is worth in 2026 and how to position for a top-tier exit.
Selling a Vancouver business takes 6 to 12 months and produces valuations of 3x to 8x EBITDA for most $2M to $20M companies. Here is how to find the right business broker in Vancouver and structure a deal that maximizes value.
Physical therapy clinics are selling for 2.5x to 8x EBITDA in 2026 depending on size, owner dependency, and payor mix. See real multiples by practice profile and what PE buyers are paying now.
Exit planning is a process, not an event. This guide walks through a step-by-step checklist to reduce diligence friction, protect value, and understand what your business could sell for.
Pest control valuations are climbing as private equity platforms aggressively consolidate the industry. Here is what your pest control business is worth in 2026 and how to position for a premium exit.
Selling your agency is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. This guide walks you through how to value your firm, attract the right buyers, and negotiate a deal that reflects the business you've built.
A complete guide to selling your business in 2026 - covering valuation, preparation, finding the right buyers, running a competitive process, and closing the deal without leaving money on the table.
A comprehensive guide to EBITDA multiples across every major industry in 2026 - what businesses actually sell for, what drives the multiple, and how to position your company at the top of the range.
AI is not killing digital marketing agencies. It is making the strong ones stronger. If you are running a profitable agency with $1M+ in EBITDA, this may be the best exit window in a decade. Here is what we are seeing on the ground.
Software company valuations in 2026 depend on revenue model, growth rate, and buyer type. Here's a practical breakdown of multiples for SaaS, on-premise, and hybrid software businesses.
MSP and IT services valuations are climbing as private equity platforms and strategic acquirers race to consolidate the managed services space. Here's what your IT firm is worth in 2026 and how to maximize your exit.