Disclaimer: We are supported by our readers. We may receive compensation from links on this page if you use products or services because of our expert recommendations. Please read our Advertising Disclosure.
Planning your business exit in Milwaukee? Earned Exits, a woman-led brokerage, specializes in firms with $1 million to $40 million in revenue, emphasizing legacy, buyer fit, and tax strategy, finding the right advisor is crucial for the buyer and seller in a seamless sale.
This guide spotlights the top 5, including Earned Exits, Morgan & Westfield led by Jacob Orosz, Transworld Business Advisors with experts like Vince DeMarte, and others, to match your goals with vetted expertise and confidentiality. Discover how they elevate Milwaukee business sales in a city known for its cultural landmarks like the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
1. Earned Exits
Earned Exits helps business owners turn their life's work into a legacy that lasts.
They use a full, well-rounded approach to make this happen.
The process starts with a free consultation. It covers companies making $1 million to $40 million a year.
They check your readiness in private talks. Valuations look beyond numbers to include legacy aspects like keeping company culture alive.
They analyze buyer fit using simple tools like SWOT analysis, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
Tax planning starts right away. They team up with accountants to cut taxes legally, following rules like IRS Section 1060 for asset sales.
They keep everything secret with strong agreements like NDAs.
They match your transition goals to what you want after the sale, like retirement dreams.
Coaching helps with the emotional side, backed by studies on owner exits. Earned Exits connects you to checked buyers from their private network for smooth handovers and lasting results.
Ready for a Successful Exit?
2. Murphy Business Sales
Selling a business in Milwaukee’s competitive market is tough without the right support.
Many Wisconsin manufacturing owners struggle to find qualified local buyers, and economic swings like the 2023 output drop make it even harder. Leaked sale information can also disrupt operations. Tom, who runs a Milwaukee parts firm, knows these challenges well.
Murphy Business Sales tackles these issues with a structured, confidential process. It starts with a valuation protected by an NDA and based on trusted tools like BizBuySell. Then, targeted local strategies tap into Milwaukee’s chamber networks in areas like Bay View, Riverwest, Historic Third Ward, and nearby Ozaukee County to reach vetted buyers.
With over 30 years of Midwest experience, this approach typically results in smooth transitions and completed sales within four to six months, without lost productivity.
3. Sunbelt Business Brokers
A national network opens doors that local ones can't. Sunbelt Business Brokers shows how with their wide reach.
Sunbelt connects sellers to vetted buyers nationwide. They handle sales like auctions, perfect for Wisconsin manufacturers seeking out-of-state buyers.
For instance, a $5 million machine shop can attract investors who don't care about local details.
Local brokers offer personal touches, like tailoring deals to community ties for Milwaukee service businesses.
But they limit you to local buyers, which might mean fewer offers.
For businesses with annual revenues ranging from $1 million to $40 million, Sunbelt's expertise facilitates elevated valuations through expansive marketing efforts, although owners who value intensive, hands-on support may benefit from integrating elements of both national and local strategies.
It is advisable to assess options according to one's exit timeline and requirements for buyer diversity to achieve the most favorable outcomes.
4. Viking Mergers & Acquisitions
Ignoring key risks in mergers and acquisitions-deals where businesses combine or sell-can ruin a great sale in Milwaukee's busy economy.
Let's dive into how Viking helps avoid that.
Prevalent challenges encompass insufficient pricing methodologies that result in asset undervaluation amidst volatile Midwest manufacturing expenses, as well as the disregard of macroeconomic influences such as supply chain interruptions in the logistics sector.
To mitigate these issues, Viking Advisors advocates for the establishment of confidentiality through non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) at the initial stages, in alignment with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, alongside the incorporation of tax optimization strategies pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 338 for asset acquisitions.
5. Transworld Business Advisors
Start your business exit with confidence by using proven advisory strategies that align buyers and sellers effectively. With over 30 years of experience in business exits, focus first on evaluating buyer suitability to match franchise opportunities with qualified prospects.
Screen candidates using SBA financial verification tools to confirm liquidity requirements, such as a 10–20% down payment. Sellers in Milwaukee can tap into resources like the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to find strong leads.
Next, enforce strict confidentiality: require NDAs through DocuSign, use secure data rooms like Intralinks, and share information only with verified buyers.
Maximize sale value by benchmarking against recent local deals. Milwaukee franchises, for example, have averaged 4.5× EBITDA on BizBuySell. Align valuations with your transition goals to ensure a smooth handover.
Ready for a Successful Exit?
What Sets Top Brokers Apart?
Leading business brokers in Milwaukee do not merely facilitate transactions and close deals; they design strategic exits that align with an entrepreneur's vision and ensure long-term financial security.
To assess these brokers, employ this decision-making framework as a weighted checklist, following the methodology in our guide on how to choose the right one. Rate each broker on a scale of 1 to 10 for each criterion, resulting in a total possible score of 100 after applying the weights.
Prioritize holistic exit planning, guided by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) standards for comprehensive strategies.
| Criterion | Weight | Key Evaluation Points |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Specialization | 20% | Expertise in the relevant industry (e.g., manufacturing, food, construction versus technology); examine past transactions through BizBuySell listings. |
| Legacy Focus | 15% | Commitment to cultural continuity; inquire about employee retention strategies during consultations. |
| Experience Levels | 25% | Tenure in the Milwaukee market (target 10+ years); confirm certifications such as CM&AA. |
| Buyer Network Strength | 20% | Access to qualified local buyers; request details on network scale (e.g., 500+ vetted contacts). |
| Tax Expertise | 20% | Incorporation of tax optimization strategies; verify compliance with IRS Section 1060 for asset allocation. |
Recommended reading and listening for business owners considering an exit include insightful books such as The Art of the Exit, A Beginner's Guide to Business Valuation, The Exit Strategy Handbook, and Closing the Deal, as well as podcasts like M&A Talk, Acquired, and Axial.
Implementation steps:
- Identify 3-5 brokers through the Wisconsin Business Brokers Association.
- Arrange consultations to collect pertinent information.
- Evaluate scores and conduct comparisons to identify the most suitable match, with emphasis on exits that align with the entrepreneur's vision.
How Does Specialization in Revenue Range Matter?
Targeting businesses with annual revenues between $1 million and $40 million is not an arbitrary choice but a deliberate strategic focus that significantly enhances exit outcomes. By concentrating on this middle-market segment, advisory firms such as Earned Exits deliver superior results through their specialized expertise in the complex dynamics of such transactions.
This targeted approach enables customized valuations, as outlined in our best business valuation services, typically employing EBITDA multiples ranging from 4x to 7x, adjusted for factors like scalability. For instance, in dealings involving manufacturing firms, the inclusion of proprietary machinery assets can increase acquisition offers by 20% to 30%, as evidenced by PitchBook data on mid-market mergers and acquisitions.
Buyer matching in this niche is highly precise, facilitating connections between sellers and strategic acquirers in the M&A landscape, such as private equity firms pursuing expansions in sectors like food processing that bolster the local economy.
To apply this strategy effectively, conduct a thorough assessment of your business's scale using a SWOT analysis, followed by structuring transactions with earn-out provisions to incentivize post-acquisition revenue growth-particularly suitable for industries characterized by volatility. This methodology, supported by research from the Harvard Business Review on the benefits of specialized advisory services, effectively mitigates risks while optimizing valuation multiples.
Why Prioritize Legacy and Buyer Fit?
Imagine finding a buyer who not only pays a premium price but also runs the business in line with the seller’s original vision. That’s the power of focusing on cultural and operational fit.
In Milwaukee’s tight-knit, community-focused market, Tom, a local entrepreneur, faced this challenge when selling his 30-year-old craft brewery. He worried that a corporate buyer might erase its character, threatening decades of community events and multi-generational jobs, similar to the cultural importance of the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Cultural misalignment, such as prioritizing profits over local relationships with institutions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, posed real risks.
Earned Exits tackled this through a thorough buyer vetting process, including interviews on core values like sustainability and local sourcing. Tom ultimately chose a family-run distributor that shared his vision, ensuring the brewery’s legacy continued.
Their method, which included value-mapping workshops and detailed reference checks, eased Tom’s concerns and led to a smooth transition. In similar cases, this approach has boosted employee retention by 20%, according to the Wisconsin Business Brokers Association.
What Role Does Tax Strategy Play in Exits?
A well-crafted tax strategy can preserve substantial portions of sale proceeds, effectively transforming potential losses into meaningful gains.
Beyond fundamental valuation considerations, including inventory assessments, the integration of tax strategy entails early-stage deal structuring to minimize liabilities, as detailed in IRS Section 1060 for asset acquisitions and dispositions. This approach has significant implications for M&A transactions- Deal Structuring - What Sellers Need to Know on M&A Deals demonstrates practical applications for optimizing outcomes.
For businesses generating revenues between $1 million and $40 million, key mechanisms include electing Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) treatment under Section 1202, which permits the exclusion of up to $10 million in capital gains for qualifying service-oriented enterprises. For instance, a consulting firm could realize federal tax savings of approximately 20%, as evidenced by a 2022 Deloitte study on M&A tax efficiency.
In the construction sector, strategic allocation of the purchase price to depreciable assets through Form 8594 enables the deferral of recapture taxes, thereby reducing effective tax rates by 15% to 30%.
To implement these strategies effectively, it is advisable to engage certified public accountants (CPAs) from reputable firms such as KPMG for comprehensive compliance audits and optimization modeling. This approach ensures alignment with state-specific regulations while safeguarding cash flow.
How Important Is Confidentiality for Sellers?
Confidentiality breaches can quickly derail a business sale in Milwaukee’s tightly connected tourism and logistics sectors. Common risks include social media slipups, unsecured emails, casual employee conversations, and brokers sharing details too soon.
Use NDAs early, citing Wisconsin Statute 134.90, and require all parties to sign. Screen buyers in stages: start with anonymized teasers, then share details only after NDA execution.
Best practices:
Distribute NDAs through secure platforms like DocuSign.
Limit information to essential details during due diligence.
Train employees on confidentiality protocols.
These measures, as highlighted in discussions on M&A Talk and Acquired and outlined in our best practices for keeping business sales confidential, protect business owners and reduce potential exposures in competitive acquisition processes.
Ready for a Successful Exit?
What Benefits Come from Vetted Buyer Networks?
Access to a pre-qualified buyer pool speeds up deals and reduces risks in competitive acquisitions.
Networks like the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), Sunbelt, and Transworld Business Advisors ensure buyers are financially qualified and experienced, leading to closings that are 30–50% faster than unvetted platforms such as Craigslist. For businesses valued between $1 million and $40 million, vetted networks produce stronger matches. For example, a Milwaukee construction firm could close in 90 days instead of six months, cutting due diligence time from 20 hours to 8.
In the food industry, working with vetted buyers lowers the risk of deal failures by 40% by avoiding unqualified operators. While broader searches may increase reach, they also raise vetting costs, making vetted networks the more efficient option.
How Does Experience Level Influence Outcomes?
Professionals with over 30 years of experience, such as Jacob Orosz and Vince DeMarte of Morgan & Westfield, deliver exit strategies that are more sophisticated and effective than those of less seasoned brokers.
Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that experienced agents achieve sale prices 10–15% higher by using advanced negotiation techniques.
For family estates, extensive experience helps preserve legacies by structuring trusts to minimize inheritance taxes. A 2022 PwC study found that veteran advisors lowered tax liabilities by up to 25%.
In Milwaukee, working with brokers from firms like Ogden & Company is recommended. Their knowledge of neighborhoods such as Bay View, Riverwest, Historic Third Ward, Whitefish Bay, and parts of Ozaukee County helps navigate zoning rules that can affect transactions.
To assess a broker, check client testimonials and verify at least 20 local sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).