CII BUSINESS ADVISORS

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

THIS IS WHAT WE DO

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.

SUCCESS STORIES

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

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.

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.

INDUSTRIES

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

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.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Feb09