Has Your Business Caught a Case of Chronic Complacency?

Visiting a neglected business reminds me of walking into a hospital room—it’s uncomfortable, and something feels off. The symptoms aren’t always obvious at first, but they’re there: a lack of energy, outdated tools, and a sense that the business has been coasting for far too long. I call it chronic complacency, and many owners don’t even realize they’re suffering from it.

Cold Feet at the Finish Line: How an M&A Advisor Saved a Near-Dead Deal

Even when the deal terms are ideal, business owners sometimes back out at the last minute—often due to fear, not finances. In this candid and insightful piece, M&A advisor Ron Edmonds of Principium-White Oak shares a real-world story where a seller got cold feet just before closing. With empathy, strategy, and persistence, Edmonds helped revive the near-dead deal and guided the client to a successful exit.

A must-read for anyone navigating the emotional complexities of closing a transaction.

Transitions In Business Voted Best Business Broker by Finance & Commerce Readers

We’re proud to share that Transitions In Business has been voted the Best Business Broker in Finance & Commerce’s 2025 Reader Rankings!

For the past nine years, readers of Finance & Commerce have cast their votes to recognize the region’s most trusted brands and professional partners. This year’s Reader Rankings included a mix of long-standing leaders and new winners across dozens of business categories.

We are honored to receive this recognition and grateful to everyone who voted. At Transitions In Business, we’re committed to guiding our clients through business sales and acquisitions with integrity, strategy, and professionalism. Being named a trusted partner by those we serve is especially meaningful—and it fuels our continued dedication to excellence.

Thank you for your trust and support!

M&A Events

M&A Statistics

PATH TO OWNERSHIP AND EXIT

A special topic in this quarter’s survey looks at a business owner’s path to ownership and exit. M&A advisors revealed that a majority of their recent clients (60%) were entrepreneurs who had started their own business, while the remainder acquired their business through purchase (32%), inheritance (8%), or other means.

Advisors also reported that 90% of their recent sell-side clients were first-time sellers, meaning they hadn’t been through the M&A process with another business. This inexperience is compounded by a striking lack of exit planning: Most advisors (more than 8 in 10) report that fewer than 5% of their clients had a written exit strategy in place before their initial meeting.

Data taken from the Q1 2025 Market Pulse Report published by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and M&A Source.