The 5x5 Initiative: Acquiring 5 PNW businesses by 2031
Epic is on a mission to acquire five small businesses that complement our network from retiring owners who are ready to step off the clock and onto the coastline.
If you know a retiring owner who has a great business in the Pacific Northwest, now is the time to bring that company to our attention. We understand the responsibility that comes with representing a founder-led company, which is why we promise fast and clear communication to you and your client.
We could be the buyer
you've been looking for
We highly value our relationships with brokers and referral partners, offering competitive commissions for successful introductions. If you know of an outstanding company with a retiring owner, let's chat to see if they aligns with our criteria
As we look across industries to find our next additions, we intentionally seek companies who will help build a stable, thriving network. As we increase the footprint of our network, our opportunities increase for the employees from your founder's business. By working
Because no two companies are identical, our investment team evaluates each opportunity on a individual basis. Even within the same industry, variables in leadership structure, operating procedures, tech stacks, and financial debt profiles mean that every evaluation is unique. Once you submit a deal, our team reviews all incoming deal flow and will respond within 72 hours regarding our interest, what else we need and what we would like our next steps to be so you can relay that information back to the retiring owner. Just be sure you review the Key Criteria below and the Industries we are currently considering.
To stay competitive in an evolving marketplace, our deal structures and offer valuations are tailored to the distinct operational realities of each business. We carefully calibrate our offers to balance the seller's exit goals with our internal investment parameters, ensuring a fair, sustainable outcome for all parties.
Key criteria for your Retiring Owner
Retiring owner
An owner, preferably just one, who is actually retiring from the industry. If there are a number of retiring owners, we will consider case-by-case.
Location & longevity
Located within the Pacific Northwest, in an industry we have listed below and the type of business that we believe can be operated for the next 20 years.
Seller Discretionary Earnings
Seller Discretionary Earnings (Seller's stated Net Income over 36 months, plus owner compensation) needs to be from $500K to $5M, supported by tax-returns
Management & Staff Count
When we acquire, we are looking to maintain the current business as it is. Therefore we look for a minimum headcount of 8 staff and 2 managers. Other options are reviewed case-by-case.
Forget Banks
Epic is a buyer who doesn't work with banks for its acquisitions. As such we work with retiring owners to negotiate fair terms for both parties. Owners need to be open to creative financing.
Owner transition period
Since we will be building a new leadership system, the owner needs to be open to a transition period, with mutually agreeable compensation, of possibly six (6) months.
Industries we are
currently considering
Light Manufacturing
Medical Services
Professional Services
Niche Distribution
Automotive Services
Technical Services
Consumer Goods
Building Products
Food & Beverage
Financial Services
Personal Services
Construction Services
Our 90-Day Closing Framework:
No Bank Contingencies, Fast Decisions
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We partner with brokers to acquire small businesses from retiring owners, putting every referral through an efficient, multi-stage assessment. Because our investment criteria is specific, we approve or pass quickly on opportunities that fall outside our parameters.
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When an opportunity aligns with our interests, we submit a firm offer reflecting how we can make the terms work, including referral fees or commissions. While we aim to provide a reliable, streamlined exit strategy for your retiring owners, we remain strictly anchored to our target industries and the shifting market dynamics.
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Our valuation model assumes the immediate transition of retiring ownership compensation to salaried management. If other key operational roles have been covered by the owner, but are currently vacant, we will budget to hire for them. Our pricing models must mathematically account for all essential management for that business. Consequently, our offers may come in lower than from private equity or owner-operators who intend to buy a job for themselves.
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Epic acts as a single operational buyer. We require zero outside approvals, committee sign-offs, or bank financing. Once a Letter of Intent (LOI) is executed, with your client's cooperation, we can close within 90 days. This completely eliminates the financing contingencies typical of most buyers relying on traditional bank debt. It also requires cooperation from your retiring owner.
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Post-acquisition, we will work with the retiring owner to take over and get you paid. We also do our best to retain existing staff, intending to champion the current team. We always plan to equip existing staff with the resources and training we believe are required to scale. We prioritize long-term retention and internal promotions, treating human capital as our highest-yield asset.
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Our intention, outside of asset purchases, or acquisitions that we might make which fall outside of our parameters, is that the existing business will continue to operate independently, which will preserve its local identity, brand culture, and foundational legacy.
Beat the odds
Sell Successfully
Retire Epic-ly