Selling a business is one of the most financially significant decisions a private business owner will ever face.
Exit Equity, a business brokerage and M&A advisory firm with offices in Seattle (Edmonds, WA), Houston, TX, and Bozeman, MT, has been helping lower middle market business owners navigate that process since 2005.
Founded by Dan Gibson, a Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary with over 40 years of business experience who started his career at Xerox PARC, the firm has grown into a multi-location practice serving owners across manufacturing, technology, B2B services, and ecommerce sectors.
Key Takeaways
- Exit Equity is the only female-owned M&A advisory firm in the Pacific Northwest.
- The firm charges fees at closing only, meaning they get paid when clients get paid.
- Their structured 3-phase process covers everything from valuation to deal closing.
Who Exit Equity Serves
Exit Equity focuses on the lower middle market, which generally means privately held businesses with revenues ranging from under $1 million to tens of millions.
Their current listings page shows active deals including a vintage car restoration and manufacturing business with $6.5 million in revenue and a home electrical contractor at $2.8 million in revenue.
Past transactions include the sale of BRC Acoustics & Audiovisual Design to Coffman Engineering (a firm with 22 locations), a strategic investment in Bear Group (a website and ecommerce solutions provider) with a private equity firm, and the divestiture of Don's Group Attire in Seattle, a second-generation uniform business with ties to the 1962 World's Fair and the Seattle Seahawks.
The firm handles three types of engagements: selling a business, buying a business, and M&A advisory for situations like recapitalizations or strategic investments.
Business owners who are years away from an exit can also use Exit Equity's exit planning services to get their company positioned for maximum value before going to market.
The Team
Exit Equity has more than a dozen professionals on staff, each with defined roles. Here's a snapshot of the core team:
| Name | Title | Notable Background |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Gibson, CBI M&AMI | Founding Principal | 40+ years experience, started at Xerox PARC |
| Kara Gibson Brzytwa, MBA CBI | Managing Principal | Leading the firm since 2017 |
| Blake Foster, CVA | Certified Valuation Analyst | Hundreds of business valuations completed |
| Keith Rogstad, MBA AVA | Valuation Analyst & Broker | Financial analysis since 1981, founded and sold his own company |
| Corey Gregg, CBI CM&AP | M&A Intermediary | Background in startups, private, and public companies |
| Grant Ferguson | M&A Advisor | 30-year track record in buy-side and sell-side M&A |
| Heather Schmidt, CEPA | M&A Advisor & Growth Consultant | Co-founded a multi-unit bakery business in Boston |
| Terry Coe, CBI M&AMI | M&A Intermediary | 30 years in small and mid-size company development |
| Noordin Rayani | Business Broker | 21+ years in business intermediary work, multiple national awards |
| John Byrum | M&A Advisor | Founded OnlineMetals.com, sold to ThyssenKrupp |
Several team members hold Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) credentials through the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), along with affiliations with the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&AA) and M&A Source.
The firm also holds multi-state affiliations including SEC/RIA CRD 105203 and real estate licenses. Having Certified Valuation Analysts (CVA) and Accredited Valuation Analysts (AVA) in-house is a practical advantage, since valuation quality directly affects what sellers ultimately walk away with.
The 3-Phase Process
Exit Equity's sale process is organized into three clearly defined phases, which makes it easier for sellers to understand where they are and what comes next.
Phase I: Assessment and Pricing
The firm starts with a series of consultation and assessment meetings covering the company's history, operations, financial statements, tax returns, customer base, management structure, and growth potential.
They also calculate a "net-to-you" figure after closing and review tax strategy.
The goal of Phase I is to determine whether the owner should "hold and grow or sell and go," and to set a realistic value range based on both tangible and intangible assets, including what the firm calls "phantom values" that are often overlooked but can significantly increase a company's final sale price.
Phase II: Packaging and Marketing
Once the decision to sell is made, Exit Equity prepares two key documents: a blind teaser profile that describes the business without naming it, and a full multi-page business review including industry analysis, financial summaries, and growth projections.
They then run what they describe as a "blind competitive bidding process," which is designed to generate multiple offers simultaneously rather than negotiating with a single buyer.
The intent is to keep competitive pressure on buyers while maintaining seller confidentiality throughout the marketing phase.
Phase III: Qualification, Due Diligence, and Closing
This phase covers buyer qualification, letter of intent negotiation, due diligence coordination, contract drafting, and closing.
Exit Equity coordinates directly with the seller's legal, accounting, and estate planning advisors throughout this stage.
The transaction escrow attorney handles definitive documents, and Exit Equity manages communication between all parties until keys change hands.
The full process from engagement to closing typically takes several months to over a year depending on deal complexity.
The sale of Quantum Management Services, referenced in a testimonial from former owner Gaye Barrett, was described as long and complicated, but Exit Equity stayed with the transaction through to closing.
Certifications and Credentials
The firm holds certifications and affiliations across multiple professional associations:
- IBBA (International Business Brokers Association): CBI designation holders on staff
- AM&AA (Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors): Multiple certified advisors
- M&A Source: National organization focused on mid-market M&A
- CVA/AVA: Certified and Accredited Valuation Analysts on staff
- CEPA: Certified Exit Planning Advisor
- CM&AP: Certified Mergers & Acquisitions Professional
- SEC/RIA CRD 105203: Multi-state regulatory affiliation
- Real Estate licenses: 9978 & 97060027
This credential stack matters in M&A advisory because unqualified brokers can misvalue businesses, mishandle confidentiality, or improperly structure deals.
Exit Equity's team holds designations that require ongoing education and adherence to a code of professional standards.
Fee Structure
Exit Equity earns its fees at closing. There is no specific fee schedule published on the website, which is standard practice for M&A advisory firms since fees are typically a percentage of the transaction value and negotiated based on deal size and complexity.
The "success fee at closing" model aligns the firm's interests with the seller's: they only get paid when the deal closes, and the larger the sale price, the more they earn.
Client Testimonials
Three client testimonials appear on the Exit Equity homepage, all from former business owners. Gary and Stephani Crawford (former owners of CITC Fx and Bird Buffer) mentioned both the transaction quality and the personal support during the process.
Dave McLeod (former owner of American Spray Technologies) highlighted a smooth transaction that included both a manufacturing operation and real estate.
Gaye Barrett (former owner of Quantum Management Services) described the process as long and complicated but credited the firm's persistence for seeing it through.
These are specific, named testimonials tied to real transactions, which carry more weight than anonymous reviews.
Locations
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle (Edmonds, WA) | 123 2nd Ave S, Suite 230, Edmonds, WA 98020 | (425) 462-5819 |
| Houston, TX | 11211 Katy Freeway, 309A, Houston, TX 77079 | (713) 581-9977 |
| Bozeman, MT | 1716 W Babcock St, 1020, Bozeman, MT 59715 | (406) 552-1330 |
Who This Firm Is a Good Fit For
Exit Equity is built for privately held business owners in the lower middle market who want professional representation through a sale. The firm is a particularly strong fit if:
- Your business is in manufacturing, technology, B2B services, or ecommerce
- You want a structured, documented process with clear phases
- You need valuation expertise before deciding whether to sell
- You're planning an exit 1-3 years out and want strategic preparation
- You're in the Pacific Northwest, Texas, or Montana and want a firm with regional presence
It may be less suited to very small businesses (under $500K in revenue) or owners looking for a quick, low-cost transaction without professional advisory support.
Conclusion
Exit Equity brings a credentialed, experienced team to a transaction type where inexperienced representation can cost sellers real money.
For lower middle market business owners who want a structured process and professional M&A advisory from engagement through closing, Exit Equity is worth a serious look.