CII BUSINESS ADVISORS

We help business owners write their next chapter of freedom and prosperity.

Why CII
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Animated graphic illustrating business growth and transition, symbolizing CII Business Advisors' support for owners navigating ownership transfer and achieving prosperity.

Navigating Ownership Transitions for Lower Middle Market Companies

Who We Help

CII helps established business owners who are contemplating the next chapter in the life cycle of their business. We help owners maintain absolute discretion and complete confidentiality while navigating this often long and obstacle-filled process of ownership transfer.

How We Do It

The same way we have done it over the past four decades. We listen carefully to the goals and objectives of each owner, explain the various options available, and work diligently to identify the best possible partner or suitor ensuring the best financial, strategic and cultural fit with our client’s business.

Where We Excel

CII engagements are typically with owners of lower middle market companies with annual sales in the $5-$50 million range. Our past deal experience gives us unique insight and expertise to assist owners of businesses in several industry verticals highly sought after by strategic buyers, family offices and private equity groups. See our Industries page for more details.

When Do We Start?

The sooner, the better. While most clients typically contact us when they are ready to move on, it’s ideal to begin our conversation and exit planning process years prior to an anticipated exit. This gives us time to identify areas of improvement and work with you to implement those changes that will maximize both the appeal and value of your business.
How Can We Help You?Get in touch with a CII Advisor

SUCCESS STORIES

Owners of these great businesses have all turned to CII team members for guidance and results…

Animated GIF illustrating successful business transactions, representing CII's expertise in guiding lower middle market company owners through exit planning and strategic decisions.

YOU FACE TOUGH DECISIONS

What Type of Decisions?

Should I sell the business? If so, what is it worth? Who would be the ideal next owner? Should I hold out a few more years and hit some growth targets that could make the business worth 2-5x more than today’s valuation? Should I accept an ownership stake in the new entity? What could that potentially be worth? Should I merge with a competitor? How do I approach them?

So How Do I Choose?

Every owner, business and engagement is unique. Like most owners, your decisions will depend largely on how much you have of two resources…time and money. External factors also surface when you start thinking about the welfare of your employees and the customers your business has proudly served for decades or generations.

How Good is My Hand?

The strength of your business hand will be determined by many factors including financial performance, internal processes, human resources, industry, market share and recession resistance just to name a few. While no business has a Royal Flush, your hand will be strengthened the more you can identify and correct potential weaknesses before ever going to market.

What's ASBOTA?

A Second Bite of the Apple, and it’s one of the most attractive options that CII clients pursue. With a recapitalization or "recap," private equity buyers bring the capital, tools and resources that can take your business to the next level of growth and prosperity. By retaining an ownership stake in the new entity, your second bite can be more profitable than the first bite which freed you up to finally enjoy retirement or pursue other ventures.

Have More Questions?CII Advisors are here to help.
"Cress Diglio and his CII team are experts in the HVAC industry. If you are looking to sell or just want to learn about the selling process, I would give CII a call. They don’t just sell your business, they educate you about the process and prepare you for what will come. Selling a business can be nerve wracking but CII’s calming effect made the process less frightening. "
Smiling older man with glasses, representing client satisfaction and expertise in business transactions, relevant to CII Advisors' services in recapitalization and business sales.
Dave P.
"CII Advisors helped me with a complicated transaction. I had 3 corporations all tied to my main business. The CII team was able to structure a deal with a buy-out of all my companies, tucked into one new entity where I retained equity. I didn’t even know this was possible. Without the assistance of CII Advisors I would have sold my businesses and missed out on the financial gains I will benefit from in the future."
Smiling professional man in a business setting, wearing glasses and a blue dress shirt, representing CII Advisors' expertise in business sales.
Steve G.
"Cress did an incredible job helping us through the sale of our family business. We 'went at it alone' for a bit of time without success - and bringing Cress and his team on board got us to the finish line. He is consistent, honest and very professional. We can't imagine having done it without him."
Smiling woman with blonde hair in a blue shirt, representing client satisfaction and success with CII Advisors in business transactions.
Elizabeth A.
"CII Advisors helped us with the sale of our business. Cress was always available when we needed advice, and he would lead the conversation so we stayed on track and made the negotiations more in our favor."
Smiling middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a checkered shirt, representing client success stories with CII Advisors in business transactions.
Edward W.
"Cress and his team sold my roofing company. They brought me over 20 LOI’s and were able to sell my business for 25% over market value. They did this by creating an auction-like atmosphere and bidding war amongst the potential buyers. This was a life-changing experience."
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Ken K.
"Confidentiality, professionalism, trust, honesty, integrity, expertise, knowledge and caring are just some of the words I use to describe CII and my experience with their company. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to sell a mid-size to large business."
Professional man with glasses, wearing a blazer, conveying confidence and expertise, representing CII Advisors in a business context related to successful company sales and mergers.
Tom R.
"CII Advisors and Cress Diglio helped my business partner & I find a GEM of a business that wasn't even on the market for sale. Cress and his team were with us through the entire process."
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Carmine G.
"When I decided to sell my business I interviewed several business brokers. Once I met Cress and the CII team, I quickly realized Main Street business brokers were in over their head on a transaction my size. I learned about the M&A process, different deal structures and the way to market my business to Private Equity Groups to maximize the value of my business."
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Michelle B.
"I have known Cress V. Diglio for over 25 years. In that time his advice and guidance has been invaluable. His professionalism and attention to detail is second to none and will tell you like it is with no fluff in between. CII Advisors has been an invaluable resource for me and all my business endeavors."
Smiling middle-aged man with a beard, representing CII Advisors, reflecting professionalism and trust in business transactions.
R. Jean-Pierre
"CII Advisors and Cress Diglio have helped me buy and sell businesses for the past 25 years. During that time, CII represented me in over a dozen transactions, some buy-side and some sell-side. Whether growing through acquisition, purchasing a platform company or selling my companies, CII was always by my side. Although I am retired, I owe a great portion of my retirement to Cress and his team."
Smiling elderly man with glasses wearing a light blue shirt, representing CII Advisors' professionalism and client satisfaction in business transactions.
Richard K.
"Throughout the years, CII Advisors helped me purchase and sell a few businesses. They were instrumental in finding the right buyer and negotiating the best price and terms on my behalf. CII's education, training and knowledge of the M&A process makes them a great asset and a great advantage to have on your side when selling a business."
Smiling man with gray hair and beard, representing satisfied client testimonial about CII Advisors and their business selling expertise.
Ben B.
"Cress was a very knowledgeable asset when selling our business. He linked us up with an SBA lender and guided us through the process. He also intervened a few times to assist during the grueling underwriting process. I would wholeheartedly recommend him and his team!"
Professional woman with blonde hair, wearing a white blouse, smiling confidently against a blurred background, representing CII Advisors' client-focused approach in business negotiations.
Melissa V.
"CII Advisors care for their clients. They promised a lot during the interview process and delivered even more after I listed my business with them. The best part of the entire process was negotiating with buyers. Although the buyers were represented by incredibly smart individuals, we were never outmatched. In fact, we had the upper hand in every negotiation. That is the power of the CII team."
Joseph F. in a professional suit with glasses, exuding confidence and approachability, representing expertise in business acquisition and client support.
Joseph F.
"Cress was amazing. My husband and I were purchasing an existing business, and he walked us through the whole process and helped us put together the contract and finalize it. Anytime I had a question he was there to answer it. He offered lots of great advice and was very knowledgeable. He even recommended a great closing attorney after we were finished. I highly recommend him."
Woman with curly hair smiling, representing client satisfaction and personal connection in business advisory services.
Rose M.
"I have worked with Mr Diglio and CII Advisors for many years, on small and big projects. Mr Diglio is very attentive, understands a Seller's sense of urgency and provides great knowledge."
Smiling businessman in a suit and tie, representing expertise and professionalism in business advisory services.
Dave H.
"Cress is very knowledgeable and helped us immensely when it came to selling our business."
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Antje P.

YOU ONLY HAVE ONE SHOT

Your Life's Work

Building a great business was probably one of the greatest achievements of your life. The time, money and resources invested; the long nights; the tough customers; the staffing challenges; the supply chain headaches; the government bureaucracy…you sacrificed much and overcame all of the obstacles to get to where you are now.

Your Reward

Your reward for that body of work will come, but it won’t be fast or easy. The process of preparing, valuing, marketing and finding the right buyer is long and arduous. But the payoff will be greater than anything you can imagine both in terms of financial reward and a sense of accomplishment reserved for bold entrepreneurs and American risk takers.

Your Legacy

From employees to customers to suppliers, your business has impacted the lives of hundreds if not thousands of individuals. When you are no longer at the helm, your business becomes your legacy. That's why it's so critical to identify the right partner to carry the torch and the commitment you made to yourself, your team and your community.

Your One Shot

One and done. That needs to be your mindset going into the process. This will be your one shot to go to market, attract the right buyer and receive the maximum value for your life’s work. And it’s another reason you should begin the exit planning process months, if not years, before you ever contemplate selling the business. 

Something On Your Mind? CII Advisors are great listeners.

INDUSTRIES

CII works closely with successful business owners in some of the most highly sought after industry verticals. 

Manufacturing professionals operating machinery in an industrial setting, highlighting CII Advisors' focus on industry-specific expertise for business owners.

WHY CII?

We Have The Experience

In fact, we are one of the oldest M&A advisory firms operating in the State of Florida. In 2024, we celebrate 38 years of helping great business owners realize their dreams. And our team is made up of industry specific professionals who know what it's like to fight for a higher valuation and better payout for our clients. 

We Are Business Owners

All of our advisors are current and/or former business owners, so we understand the challenges of running a business, delivering great customer service, retaining great employees, striving to improve internal processes, and maintaining good customer and supplier relations just to name a few.

We Are Lifelong Learners

All of our advisors hold advanced credentials from our industry's leading professional organizations, the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and M&A Source. In fact, two of our founders are past Charimen of the IBBA which demonstrates CII's commitment to raising the standards of professionalism in the M&A arena.

We Work As A Team

When you work with CII, every member of our team is involved. We take a team approach on each engagement, because our team members have vastly different yet highly complementary skill sets. By combining these talents, we are able to consistently deliver a superior result for our clients from pre-diligence to the closing table.

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