Increase Your Exit by 25% with Professional M&A Representation from CRI M&A Advisors
- CRI M&A Advisors
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
Last month, a manufacturing company owner called CRI M&A Advisors three days after accepting what he thought was a "great offer" for his $23 million business. He'd just discovered that a competitor had sold a similar company for 40% more.
His words still echo: "I had no idea what I didn't know."
At CRI M&A Advisors, this story repeats itself far too often. Business owners spend decades building something extraordinary, then risk everything on a process they'll only do once.
The data is sobering. Owners who attempt to sell without professional M&A representation typically receive lower valuations. A comprehensive study conducted by the University of Alabama and Portland State University analyzed 4,468 private company transactions over 20 years and found that owners who represented themselves received 25% less for their companies on average.
Northern Trust Business Advisory Services group analyzed 4,316 transactions and found that businesses represented by an advisor received EBITDA multiples that were 1.5 times higher than those who opted for a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) approach.
You've built something remarkable. Here’s why professional representation from CRI M&A Advisors isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
Market Intelligence That Changes Your Negotiating Position:
Two weeks ago, we helped a manufacturing company owner realize his "generous" 4.2x EBITDA offer was below market. Recent comps in his space were trading at 6-8x.
Without CRI M&A Advisors’ market intelligence, you're negotiating blind. We maintain real-time data on:
Current market multiples by industry and company size
Recent transaction terms and structures
Buyer appetite and competitive dynamics
Emerging valuation trends
Our clients enter negotiations knowing exactly where they stand—and we represent them to make that a reality.
Access to Buyers Who Pay Premiums
Most owners don’t realize that the buyer who contacts them first is rarely their best option. The best buyers aren’t always looking. They’re waiting for the right opportunity.
At CRI M&A Advisors, we curate every buyer list from scratch, not relying on past success alone.
We have access to:
500+ pre-qualified strategic acquirers across 15 industries
4,000+ active private equity groups with dry powder
Family offices seeking direct investments
International buyers expanding into U.S. markets
That access lets us bring only active, qualified buyers to the table. We identify those most likely to see your business as their missing piece and pay accordingly.
Deal Structuring That Protects Your Wealth
Consider two recent $10 million deals:
Deal A (No Representation):
$8 million cash at close
$2 million earnout over 3 years
Standard working capital adjustment
Deal B (With CRI M&A Advisors):
$9 million cash at close
$1.5 million earnout with favorable terms
Seller rollover equity in the new entity
Management consulting agreement
Total expected value: $12.3 million
Same business size. $2.3 million difference in outcome. The terms you negotiate matter as much as the price.
Professional Positioning That Commands Respect
When buyers see CRI M&A Advisors involved, they immediately understand:
This seller is serious and prepared
The process will be efficient and organized
They’re competing against other qualified buyers
Low-ball offers won’t be entertained
Possession of insider insights and process understanding
Last quarter, a strategic buyer increased their initial offer by $6 million once CRI M&A Advisors were brought into the deal.
The Story That Sells Your Future (Not Just Your Past)
Financial statements tell buyers what you did. A professionally crafted narrative by CRI M&A Advisors tells them what you could become under their ownership.
Our Confidential Information Memorandums don’t just present data. They paint a vision:
Untapped market opportunities
Scalability potential
Strategic synergies with the right buyer
Clear growth roadmap
· Growth through acquisition
Emotional Buffer When You Need It Most
Selling your business isn’t just financial, it’s deeply personal.
Emotions run high when buyers question your management decisions or push back on valuation. Stress peaks when due diligence uncovers issues. Doubt creeps in when negotiations stall.
CRI M&A Advisors have been here before and know how this story ends.
Our role extends beyond transactions:
Navigate difficult conversations with objectivity
Maintain deal momentum when you’re emotionally exhausted
Provide perspective during inevitable ups and downs
Keep you focused on running your business during the process
End-to-End Execution That Eliminates Deals from Falling Apart
Harvard Business Review states that between 70 and 90 percent of deals never close.
Why? Process breakdown. Poor communication. Unrealistic timelines. Inadequate preparation.
CRI M&A Advisors manages every detail, so nothing falls through the cracks:
Secure data room setup and management
Professional narrative documents
Bespoke buyer research
Buyer due diligence coordination
Document preparation and review
Communication with attorneys, CPAs, and lenders
Timeline management and deadline enforcement
Issue resolution before they become deal-killers
Your job is running your business. Our job is getting you to the finish line.
The Bottom Line: You Only Get One Chance
In 19 years, we've never met a business owner who said, "I wish I'd tried to do this alone." But we've met hundreds who said, "I wish I'd called CRI M&A Advisors first."
At CRI M&A Advisors, we don’t just represent sellers, we maximize outcomes.
Ready to discover what your business is actually worth in today’s market?
Schedule your confidential exit readiness assessment with CRI M&A Advisors. No obligation.
No cost. Just clarity on your options and potential outcomes.
Because when you only get one chance to sell, let’s get it right.
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