The CAG Difference
What makes us different from other M&A firms and business brokers
CAG focuses on the underserved $5 million to $25 million transaction size market, working with clients throughout New England, and is sell-side exclusively – i.e., representing business owners as opposed to buyers. We run a full marketing and sales process designed to surface multiple interested buyers to find the true value of the business.
Our goal is to deliver the best sales results and overall outcomes possible, in part accomplished through the development and execution of a client-specific customized marketing plan, and to provide a better overall experience than other mergers and acquisitions firms or business brokers working in our target market.
CAG’s fee structure is success-based. The majority of CAG’s compensation is earned at closing, which means we are working toward the same result as you. We charge a non-refundable retainer at the start of the engagement, which is credited toward the success fee.
Many M&A firms focus almost exclusively on institutional or strategic buyers. While CAG is active with these buyers, we also maintain active relationships with owner-operators and search fund buyers, which frequently offer the best fit and strongest price for businesses in the $5 to $25 million range. Reaching this buyer pool requires specific relationships that most firms don’t have.
Before we take on an engagement, we meet with the owner and often their advisors, complete a comprehensive review of the financials, assess the business’s overall marketability, and provide honest feedback regarding potential value and marketability. There is no cost for this review and discussion. If the outcome of that review is that a sale isn’t the right move yet or that we are not the best fit for your goals, we’ll say so.
CAG limits the number of active clients at any given time. This is a deliberate choice. It means the level of attention we give each engagement doesn’t change based on how busy the firm is.
Greg Caswell and Kristen Miale have each run organizations, not just advised them. Greg was President and CEO of a publicly traded bank where he led the turnaround of a very distressed institution through to a profitable recovery and later a successful sale. Kristen led a $100 million nonprofit with 115 staff across three locations and co-founded a Maine-based vegetable processing company. They bring operational experience to every engagement, which changes the quality of the advice you receive.
Every CAG engagement is co-led by Greg and Kristen. There is no delegation to junior staff after the relationship starts. The people you meet at the beginning of the process are the people who will run it to the end.
We strive to maintain professionalism and confidentiality, and for facilitating strong working relationships with the various advisors engaged by both business owners and prospective buyers.
CAG has closed transactions that other firms couldn’t. Complex ownership structures, difficult seller or buyer dynamics, tight timelines, we’ve worked through all of it. Our record is the proof.
Caswell Advisory Group is a sell-side M&A firm representing business owners in Maine and throughout New England. We manage the full sales process for companies with values between $5 million and $25 million.