Once you say go, we start the process with an all-hands kick-off call. Here's what we'll cover during & meeting:
1. Meet Your Dream Team
You’ll be introduced to our team of M&A specialists who will be with you every step of the way. These are the experts dedicated to ensuring your acquisition is smooth, transparent, and tailored to meet your goals.
2. Deep Dive into Your Business
We want to know everything that makes your business tick. This call is a golden opportunity for us to learn about your business’s unique strengths, challenges, and the vision you hold for its future.
3. Q&A Time
Got questions? Perfect! We’re here to clear up any uncertainties. This call is an open forum for you to ask anything about the acquisition process, our strategies, or even what color socks we’re wearing. No question is too small when it comes to ensuring your comfort and confidence in this process.
Take a 2 min. tour
Our team becomes an extension of your company
Our team seamlessly integrates with yours, becoming an essential part of your company. Your dedicated team will act as an arm of your organization, diligently nurturing relationships with potential buyers to meticulously sift through opportunities. This ensures we not only find you a match but the perfect match that aligns with your company's vision and goals.
Preparation will help us hit the ground running.
To make the most out of our kick-off call, gather any new thoughts or questions you may have about selling your agency and specific goals you want to achieve through the acquisition. Other than getting you excited and comfortable with the process, we want to learn everything we can about you and your agency!
Gather Your Documentation.
A successful M&A process is built on a foundation of thorough information. Start compiling key documents related to your business operations, financial performance, and strategic objectives. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what’s needed or if something’s missing — we’ll guide you through every step. Here’s a list of documents we typically review.
Financial Statements
Profit and Loss Statements
Balance Sheets
Cash Flow Statements
Future Projections
Team Documentation
Organizational Chart
Employee Census and Roles
Operational Processes
Sales Collateral
Marketing Materials
Sales Processes
Growth Strategies
Testimonials
Case Studies
Client Information
Industry Niche
Client Concentration
Client Contracts
Retention Rates
We demystify M&A and simplify the process for agency founders.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Our journey together begins with a confidential consultation to discuss your selling goals, timeline, and any particular needs or concerns. This meeting is crucial for crafting a customized strategy that aligns with your specific objectives.
Step 2: Valuation
We conduct a comprehensive valuation of your marketing agency, employing both industry-standard and innovative methodologies. This dual approach ensures your agency’s financial performance and unique attributes are accurately represented in its valuation.
Step 3: Market Positioning
Our team meticulously crafts your agency’s market positioning, emphasizing its unique selling points to attract the ideal buyers. Through strategic marketing, we ensure your agency shines in the competitive landscape, all while upholding the utmost confidentiality.
Step 4: Preparation of Marketing Materials
We create compelling marketing materials that highlight the key aspects of your agency, designed to resonate with potential buyers. This includes detailed information packets, executive summaries, and other collateral that showcase your agency’s value proposition.
Step 5: Buyer Identification and Screening
Leveraging our extensive network, we identify prospective buyers who are not only interested but are also a strategic fit for your agency. Our rigorous screening process ensures that only financially capable and serious buyers proceed.
Step 6: Presentations and Meetings
We facilitate presentations and meetings between you and potential buyers, ensuring a smooth and productive exchange of information. This step is crucial for finding a buyer whose vision aligns with the future you imagine for your agency.
Step 7: Negotiations and Offers
Our seasoned negotiators work on your behalf to secure the best possible terms. We guide you through each offer, providing clarity and advice to help you make informed decisions that align with your goals.
Step 8: Due Diligence
During the due diligence phase, we ensure a seamless information exchange between you and the buyer, addressing any concerns swiftly to maintain momentum towards closing.
Step 9: Closing and Transition
The closing marks the culmination of our shared journey. We manage the finalization of sale documents and the transfer of ownership, ensuring a smooth transition that honors your agency’s legacy and its future potential.
Some Merge Lovin’ 💛
The Barney team was great to work with throughout our search and acquisition process. From start to finish, they were very responsive and kept the process moving along nicely. I’ve only had positive interactions with the team to date with both our acquisition of SketchDeck and other opportunities that we have shown interest in.
Tyler Zara, SVP @ 24Seven, A Morgan Stanley Company
I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Barney team to close the transaction. From start to finish I had a personalized experience and appreciated their ability to navigate the due diligence process and manage expectations for both parties. The team was organized, communicative and proactive in keeping up momentum and pushing the deal across the finish line.
Nick Fraunfelder, Founder & Managing Partner @ AJAX
This was not the first time we transacted with a Barney-listed company, but one thing remained consistent: the Barney team takes time to understand the people behind the transaction. In addition to managing a smooth process, they focused on developing a partnership between buyer and seller – that alignment was critical to the deal.
Mathew Landon, Managing Partner @ Contour Ridge
Using Barney during our acquisitions of The Boston Group was a game-changer. Their approach and experience working with agencies streamlined the process, making it significantly more efficient and effective. The insights and analytics provided by Barney enabled us to make well-informed decisions quickly while ensuring we fully understood the value and risks involved.
Matt Naffah, Partner & COO @ Isovera
What
The
FAQ
The kick-off call is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, discuss your business in detail, and understand your goals for the acquisition. We’ll introduce you to your dedicated M&A team, outline the process ahead, and address any immediate questions or concerns you might have.
The timeline can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of your business, market conditions, and the readiness of your documentation. On average, the process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months from kick-off to closing.
Initially, you’ll need to provide key financial statements, details about your business operations, client contracts, and information on your team and sales process. We’ll give you a comprehensive list of documents during our kick-off call to ensure you’re fully prepared.
We use a combination of methodologies to value your business, taking into account financial performance, market positioning, client base, intellectual property, and growth potential. Our goal is to ensure you receive a valuation that reflects the true worth of your agency.
Your business information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Only your dedicated M&A team and potential buyers, under strict non-disclosure agreements, will have access to your information throughout the process.
Absolutely. We encourage you to continue running your business as usual. Maintaining or even improving your business performance can positively impact the valuation and attractiveness to potential buyers.
While we aim to make the acquisition process as smooth and beneficial as possible, we understand that circumstances can change. You’re not obligated to continue if you decide it’s not the right time to sell. We’re here to support whatever decision is best for you and your business.
Leveraging our extensive network and deep industry knowledge, we conduct a targeted search for buyers that not only meet the financial criteria but also align with your business’s culture and strategic direction. Our aim is to find a buyer who values what you’ve built and can offer a promising future for your agency.
You’ll have full support from our experienced M&A team, who will handle negotiations on your behalf. We aim to secure the best possible terms that align with your goals and expectations, ensuring you feel confident and informed at every stage.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards your acquisition journey, simply schedule a kick-off call with us. This no-obligation conversation is your opportunity to learn more about the process, meet our team, and start mapping out the path to a successful acquisition.