Investment Banking & Business Owner Solutions
At Mariner, we provide business owners with support and guidance to help prepare for sustained growth and successful transitions. Our services include tailored financial, estate and tax planning, as well as in-house valuation and investment banking services. In partnership with Woodbridge, a Mariner company, this integrated approach seeks to ensure clients maximize value, capitalize on succession planning and secure lasting financial success.
Challenges We Help Address
- Understanding how much your company is worth
- Learning more about the M&A process within five years of a sale
- Addressing uncertainty around how to prepare for a sale
- Monitoring insights on industry trends and M&A activity
- Gaining awareness of the amount you need to net from your business sale
- Exploring alternative transition strategies or gifting
- Creating effective estate planning and tax saving strategies
- Feeling overwhelmed with coordinating advice from multiple advisors
- Questioning life and financial plans after exiting your business
- Providing clarity on how to generate income after selling your business
Process Overview
Education is key. The majority of our clients are founders, making this their only major business transaction. Whether selling now or in the future, our goal is to assist with planning for your family and company to help maximize value and after-tax proceeds. Depending on your goals and where you are in the journey, there are two key options for the sale of your business.
Option A: Majority Sale Process & Support
For clients exploring a majority sale, we offer a structured and strategic approach to help ensure a seamless transaction and long-term financial success.
Before Engagement:
- Information gathering, financial review, and valuation
- Market assessment and competitive analysis
- Investment banking pitch with deal strategy
Transaction Execution (150-day timeline):
- Dedicated 15+ member deal team
- Phase 1: Research and Underwriting – due diligence and financial modeling
- Phase 2: Marketing – buyer identification and outreach
- Phase 3: Closing – negotiation, deal structuring and execution
Post-Transaction Support:
- Estate planning and wealth transfer
- Tax advisory and optimization
- Philanthropy and charitable giving
- Family office and long-term wealth preservation
Option B: Alternative Strategies
For those not ready to exit or looking at other options, we offer insights and introductions to partners that can assist with:
- Value acceleration/growth
- Acquisitions/buy-side advisory
- Lending/SBA loans and capital raising
- ESOP advisory
- Family transitions and partner buy-outs
Click to Learn More About Woodbridge
Case Study
Our client had been growing his consumer products company rapidly but struggled with supply chain challenges. During one of our annual meetings, he admitted that the business no longer excited him but insisted he wouldn’t sell, given its strong profitability. We did a valuation, and he was shocked at its value of $20-25M. Ultimately, he engaged us to sell the company, which sold for $42M, including $37M in cash and 10% equity retained.
Our client realized the sale provided financial security and freedom to explore new ventures. He had improved the business over the years, but was now more of a caretaker, aware that growth came with increasing risks.
The key takeaway: If you’re considering selling, the first step is understanding your company’s realistic value. Like any financial asset, knowing its worth helps you decide if and when a sale makes sense for you. Everyone has their number!
Source: More Buyers, More Bids, Higher Price, Better Fit
Case study is provided for illustrative purposes only. Results or outcomes experienced by clients are unique to those situations, and there is no guarantee of similar results or outcomes.
Investment Banking
We advise business owners across all industries in the U.S. and Canada with $5-150M in annual revenue who are planning a transition now or within the next five years. Comprehensive services include business valuation and tailored sales strategies to help maximize value and ensure a seamless transition.
Comprehensive Business Sale Solutions:
- Strategic Planning: Pre-sale evaluation, business valuation, market insights, and competitive positioning
- Majority Sale Execution: Discreet, worldwide outreach to vetted buyers
- Efficient Deal Process: 150-day structured timeline with a targeted closing date
- Enhanced Marketing Strategy: Custom video presentations showcasing your company’s unique strengths
- Personalized Sales Approach: Tailored strategies to align with your goals and transaction objectives
- Management Meeting Training: Intensive training for clients on buyer expectations and company positioning
- Extensive Buyer Network: Direct access to 8,500+ private equity firms and 850,000+ strategic buyers
- Proven Track Record: Over 30 years of experience, delivering an average of 20+ competitive offers per deal*
Valuation Services:
- Estimate Valuation: For owners planning a future sale
- Certified Valuation: In-depth valuation for legal and estate purposes
Key Contact Information
Tom Tilley
Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions
Call Tom | tom.tilley@mariner.com
Leora Zach, CFA
Managing Director, Wealth Strategy
Call Leora | leora.zach@mariner.com
Sources:
*20+ offers data is for the 2020 to 2024 calendar years.
This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their professional tax, legal, and investment advisors or other professionals regarding their circumstances and needs. Mariner and affiliates does not provide legal advice. There is no assurance that any investment banking or business owner solutions will be successful. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and nothing herein should be interpreted as an indication of future performance.
Woodbridge is a Mariner company but their offerings and fees are separate from the products and services offering of the registered investment adviser entities of Mariner. Client testimonials are Woodbridge specific and do not apply to any registered investment adviser entities of Mariner.
Mariner is the marketing name for the financial services businesses of Mariner Wealth Advisors, LLC and its subsidiaries. Investment advisory services are provided through the brands Mariner Wealth, Mariner Independent, Mariner Institutional, Mariner Ultra, and Mariner Workplace, each of which is a business name of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner. For additional information about each of the registered investment advisory entities of Mariner, including fees and services, please contact Mariner or refer to each entity’s Form ADV Part 2A, which is available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
