How It Works

From first call to
fully engaged.

No long sales process. One call, one mandate, one letter — then work begins. Here's exactly what happens at each step and what you need to bring.

00
DiscoveryDay 0

30-minute call.

You bring
  • 30 minutes
  • A rough sense of what you're looking at — sector, size, where you are in the process
  • No prep required
You get
  • An honest read on whether there's a fit
  • Initial view on what the engagement would look like
  • A sense of how I work

If there's no fit, I'll tell you. If there is, we move to Gate 1 within days.

01
Acquisition MandateWithin 5 days of signing

Define what we're looking for.

You bring
  • Strategic rationale — why are you acquiring, what does success look like in 3 years
  • Target criteria — sector, geography, revenue range, EBITDA floor, deal structure preference
  • Financing capacity — equity available, max deal size, debt capacity
  • Red flags — what you won't consider regardless of price
  • Decision process — who approves the deal, who else is in the room
You get
  • A signed Acquisition Mandate document that governs the engagement
  • A shared definition of what a good target looks like — and what kills a deal
  • Clarity on the post-close plan (Phase 2 or not) before diligence resources are committed

The Mandate is the filter. Everything in Phase 1 runs through it. We don't start sourcing until it's signed.

02
Engagement LetterAt signing

Phase 1, Phase 2, or both.

You bring
  • Decision on scope: Phase 1 only (buy-side advisory), Phase 2 only (100-day ops), or Bundled
  • First retainer payment (Phase 1) or 50% deposit (Phase 2)
You get
  • Phase 1: deal sourcing, diligence, structuring, close support
  • Phase 2: 100-day operating plan — same advisor who did diligence walks in on Day 1
  • Bundled: both phases, one engagement, one relationship, no handoff

The bundled engagement exists because the information loss at handoff is where most acquisitions underperform in the first 90 days.

03
KickoffWeek 1

Work begins immediately.

You bring
  • Last 2 years personal or company financials (to confirm financing capacity)
  • Any existing deal materials or target lists
You get
  • Phase 1: first target universe within 2 weeks of mandate signing
  • Phase 2: pre-close preparation begins — 100-Day Priority List drafted, Day 1 communications ready before close

For Phase 2, pre-close prep is included in the fixed fee. It's what ensures Day 1 isn't spent figuring out what to do.

04
First DeliverableDays 7–14

Output on the table.

You bring
  • Access to acquired business (Phase 2)
  • Feedback within 5 business days
You get
  • Phase 1: first commercial screen — targets evaluated against the Acquisition Mandate
  • Phase 2: Day 1 Readiness Report (Day 7) — top 5 operational risks, revised 100-Day Priority List, Day 1 communications sent

The first deliverable is the first test of the engagement. If it doesn't feel right, we course-correct before diligence resources are committed.

The three ways to engage

Phase 1 — Buy-Side AdvisoryFrom LOI to close

Deal sourcing, diligence, structuring, close. Monthly retainer + success fee at close. Retainer credited against success fee.

Phase 2 — 100-Day Operating PlanDays 1–100

Post-close operational leadership. Fixed fee. Pre-close prep included. Same deliverables every engagement: Day 7 report through Day 100 summary.

Bundled — Both PhasesRecommended

One advisor, two phases, no handoff. The same person who ran diligence walks in on Day 1. Bundled pricing on both phases. This is the flagship.

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