Unlock Your Exit: The Ultimate Guide to Business Success

Navigate the complexities of buying, selling, and growing your business with confidence.

Welcome to Unlock Your Exit, your comprehensive resource center designed to empower business owners like you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the exciting, yet often complex, world of business transitions. Whether you're considering selling your business, exploring acquisition opportunities, or simply planning for the future, this guide is your one-stop shop for valuable insights and actionable advice. Dive into our extensive library of articles, downloadable guides, essential forms, and expert tips covering everything from understanding business valuations and crafting a winning exit strategy to mastering negotiations and building airtight Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Let us help you unlock the full potential of your business journey.

Case Studies That Speak for Themselves

General Contracting Firm – Coastal VA
Sell-Side Representation | Closed in 90 Days
Asking Price: $1.5M
Final Deal: $1.6M + equity retained
Timeline: 90 Days
Challenge: Heavy owner dependency and project backlog risk.
Solution: Normalized SDE, spotlighted brand and client relationships, structured a partial-retention equity deal.
Result: Owner retained equity and stepped back from daily ops.
“I didn’t want to just walk away — Kegan and the AC team found a structure that worked. I still have skin in the game, but far less stress.”
— Owner, Shoreline Builders
Agricultural Business – Western NC
Sell-Side + Real Estate | Closed in 150 Days
Asking Price: $2.2M
Final Deal: $2.4M with USDA-backed financing
Timeline: 150 Days
Challenge: Multi-parcel property, outdated records, family-owned.
Solution: Rebuilt financial picture, structured USDA lending, managed estate logistics.
Result: Full asking price exceeded, smooth close with family aligned.
“Brandon really understood the dynamics of a family-owned business. He made the process feel fair for everyone.”
— Owner, Christopher Family Farms
CNC Manufacturing Shop – North Carolina
Strategic Buyer Match | Closed in 120 Days
Asking Price: $2.9M
Final Deal: $3.1M with earnout
Timeline: 120 Days
Challenge: Aging owner, key staff retention concerns.
Solution: Highlighted recurring contracts and created retention bonus pool in buyer deal.
Result: Strong exit with continuity for team.
“Lowell explained everything clearly and made sure my team was taken care of. I left with peace of mind.”
— Owner, PrecisionTech Manufacturing
CPA Firm – South Carolina
Professional Services Exit | Closed in 75 Days
Asking Price: $650K
Final Deal: $700K all cash
Timeline: 75 Days
Challenge: High seasonality and client concentration.
Solution: Repositioned financials and built a post-sale client retention plan.
Result: Clean cash deal with smooth client transition.
“Maggie was extremely responsive and thoughtful. She helped me navigate the emotional side of stepping away from my clients.”
— Owner, H&J Financial
Specialty Retail Business – Asheville, NC
Lifestyle Buyer Match | Closed in 60 Days
Asking Price: $325K
Final Deal: $340K all cash
Timeline: 60 Days
Challenge: Highly seasonal revenue and location-based traffic.
Solution: Highlighted brand value and growth via e-commerce.
Result: Sold to a buyer relocating from out of state.
“Atlantic Coast helped me find a buyer who genuinely cared about the shop. It felt more like handing off a legacy than just a sale.”
— Owner, Blue Ridge Artisan Goods
Electrical Contractor – Outer Banks, NC
SBA Deal Structuring | Closed in 88 Days
Asking Price: $875K
Final Deal: $950K (75% SBA, 25% seller note)
Timeline: 88 Days
Challenge: No marketing systems, outdated branding.
Solution: Focused on recurring revenue and contracts to reframe value.
Result: Full-price deal with smooth SBA approval.
“Kegan turned my outdated business into something buyers were excited about. It felt like I was selling opportunity, not just history.”
— Owner, OBX Electric Co.
Custom Fabrication Business – Georgia
Asset + Equipment Sale | Closed in 102 Days
Asking Price: $1.1M
Final Deal: $1.05M with seller financing and equipment lease-back
Timeline: 102 Days
Challenge: Unwilling to include real estate; dated books.
Solution: Rebuilt value around machinery and backlog.
Result: Deal closed with creative structuring.
“The team at Atlantic Coast knew how to get creative. Without their help, this deal would’ve died in the first week.”
— Owner, SouthPoint Metalworks