Criteria

The criteria below describe the type of business, owner, and transition we’re searching for - if you think some or all describe your situation, let’s meet!

The Business

  • Privately or family-owned American business

  • A workplace culture that inspires pride and retains employees

  • Consistent annual profits or earnings of $500 thousand to $1 million

  • Preferably (but not necessarily) clientele made up of other businesses (B2B)

The Owner

  • Ethically upright person and honest partner to do business with

  • Willing and ready to move onto their next chapter

  • Concerned about the legacy of the business and lives of their staff

  • Able to help Pavel & Kathryn transition operations after close

The Transition

  • Transaction involving exchanging majority ownership of the business

  • A process designed to rapidly, purposefully consummate said transaction

  • Pavel & Kathryn will relocate to operate the business in-person immediately

Night sky filled with stars and the Milky Way galaxy, with mountain silhouettes at the horizon.

Our Process

Selling your business can be one of the biggest emotional and financial decisions of your life. Our process is designed to understand your goals (both personal and for the business) and then translate that into a transaction that achieves them, starting with a strong foundation of trust and transparency.

  • We will arrange a phone/video call to make introductions, learn about one another, and dive into your goals for your next chapter and the business. All information is kept strictly confidential.

    Objective: Confirm if there is a mutual fit and discuss next steps

  • If we feel like we can be good partners to help you achieve your goals, we’ll ask you to share some preliminary data about your company. These would include recent financial results, tax filings, and operational metrics.

    Objective: Presentation of a non-binding indication of interest (IOI), an initial read of what our final proposal likely will look like.

  • If the IOI represents a fair proposal to you, we would love to come meet you in person. We think doing business face-to-face is important in building trust and would love to visit your company too.

    Objective: Continue building a relationship of trust and ultimately prepare for a Letter of Intent.

  • We present the non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) and walk through it live together. The goal of the LOI is to solidify a transaction price and structure that represents mutual success for all parties.

    To continue, you will decide whether we move forward with the terms presented in the LOI and commit to spending resources to complete the transaction.

    Objective: Agree upon key deal terms, sign the LOI, and outline the confirmatory diligence process

  • Perform a deep dive into all the critical aspects of the business with the help of advisors. Simultaneously, we will work with you to finalize the purchase agreement that will document the transaction.

    This is often the most complex and time-consuming portion of the process - we commit to transparency, communication and empathy throughout.

    Objective: Complete necessary diligence, sign purchase agreement, and solidify transition plan.

  • Congratulations! After signing the legal documents, funds will be wired to your account and celebrations will be in order.

    We will work with you to ensure a smooth transition after the transaction is complete for the good of your company and staff.

    Objective: Celebrate a major life achievement and transition the business to its next chapter.

Why Partner with Big Dipper Partners?

We will be the first to admit Big Dipper Partners is not the perfect buyer for every business

Our approach is uniquely suited for owners that want to move quickly and efficiently towards a transition, but care deeply about the long-term future of the company they built

CriteriaBig Dipper Partners
Long-Term ObjectivesBuild our lives around the business and live in the community it serves
Future for Your StaffYour team will become our team
Ownership PeriodThe rest of our lives, with intention to pass ownership to our children
Approval ProcessPavel and Kathryn and their SBA lender; no third-party equity investors
Deal TermsStraightforward and fair; minimizing use of lawyers where possible
Transaction Commitment LevelThis transaction is our sole focus - we are one and done
Big Dipper PartnersPrivate Equity
Buyer		Strategic
Competitor
Long-Term Objectives
Build our lives around the business and live in the community it serves
Maximize profits to sell the company onto another owner in a few years
Eliminate a competitor or consolidate operations
Future for Your Staff
Your team will become our team
Lowering payroll expense through terminations
Elimination of staff in duplicative roles
Ownership Period
The rest of our lives, with intention to pass ownership to our children
Ideally 3-6 years; longer if things do not go to plan
Long-term; company's identity fades into that of the buyer with time
Approval Process
Pavel & Kathryn and their SBA lender; no third-party equity investors
Multiple committees made up of PE partners, followed by debt providers and equity investors
Varies, but usually a board of directors or capital approval committee
Deal Terms
Straightforward and fair; minimizing use of lawyers where possible
Complex and buyer-friendly; often include earnouts that may not be paid
Varies depending on objectives
Transaction Commitment Level
This transaction is our sole focus - we are “one and done”
PE firms are constantly exploring other options
Abandonement always possible because the core business always comes first