Curtis & Wiltse
The $2 Million Discount: How Key Man Risk Destroys Your Exit Value (And How to Fix It)
5/5/2026 | CurtisWiltse | Uncategorized There is a question that every private equity buyer asks during the first meeting. They ask it casually, usually while chatting about the weather or your background. So, tell us...who holds the relationships with your top three customers? Or perhaps: Who manages the production schedule when you’re on vacation? It...
How to Sell a Business in a Challenging Market: A 6-Month Exit Strategy Case Study
If you're a business owner wondering how to sell a business in a challenging or declining market, this case study demonstrates what’s possible with the right strategy. When the owner of a mining distributor decided it was time to sell, he was facing more than just the typical uncertainty of...
How To Sell Your $1M–$20M Business
By Dean Wiltse There is a specific milestone in the life of a business owner that no one warns you about. It happens after you survive the startup phase. It happens after you break your first million in revenue. It happens after you have built a management team, survived a...
2026 Is Shaping Up To Be The Year of the Exit
If we had to summarize the business climate of the last two years in one word, it would be hesitation. Business owners were in a defensive crouch. They were navigating a minefield of high interest rates, political uncertainty, and conflicting economic signals. Even businesses that were performing well were held back...
7 Deal Structuring Pitfalls Every Seller Should Avoid
Introduction Selling a business is a journey filled with potential challenges and opportunities. One misstep in deal structuring can lead to significant financial losses or even derail a promising transaction. CurtisWiltse has guided owners across diverse industries through complex negotiations. This guide highlights seven critical deal structuring pitfalls every seller should avoid, ensuring...