Buyout Solutions for Business Owners

“From Mops to Mission: A Quiet Exit for a Quiet Giant”

The Situation:
After 32 years in business, the owner of a 25-person commercial cleaning company in Eau Claire, WI wanted out—but didn’t want to shut the doors, sell to a competitor, or trigger panic among long-term clients.

The Concerns:

• “I don’t want my employees blindsided.”
   
• “We’ve got schools, clinics, and offices counting on us.”
   
• “I need an exit—but not at the cost of my people.”
   

The Altenbruck Solution:

• Structured a 100% seller-financed deal with lien protections
   
• Preserved all staff and client contracts
   
• Included an optional earnout bonus based on 12-month retention
   
• Owner stayed on discreetly for 3 months to introduce transition quietly
   

The Result:

• Zero disruption
   
• Monthly seller payouts begin 30 days post-close
   
• Legacy preserved: staff, clients, and local reputation remain untouched
   

“I didn’t want a billboard exit. Altenbruck made it quiet, fair, and human.”
—Former Owner, Commercial Cleaning Co.

“The Numbers Made Sense—So Did the Exit”

The Situation:
A solo CPA in Topeka, KS was serving 600+ individual and small business clients, generating solid SDE but no clear succession. Retirement was looming. No internal successor. Didn’t want to sell to a regional firm that would gut the book.

The Concerns:

• “I don’t want my clients sold like a spreadsheet.”
   
• “Can I get paid fairly… without killing the cash flow they rely on?”
   
• “I want to leave clean—but quietly.”
   

The Altenbruck Solution:

• Presented a zero-down offer with seller note + lien
   
• Built in a white-labeled 6-month client transition
   
• Offered a part-time advisory retainer to the owner (paid)
   
• Designed payouts to span 36 months—maximizing tax efficiency
   

The Result:

• Owner exited with peace of mind—and monthly income
   
• Clients stayed, referrals grew
   
• Staff retained, no layoffs
   
• The firm operates under the same name with new operational leadership
   

“I got full value—and didn’t have to sell my clients to the highest bidder.”
—Former Owner, Midwest CPA Firm