Preparation Creates Leverage

You cannot fix a leaky roof during a storm, and you cannot fix a broken business during Due Diligence. We provide Alberta’s industrial and commercial business owners with the exact frameworks institutional buyers use to evaluate risk and determine value.

Featured Tools & Checklists

The 2026 Exit Readiness Audit

Find the “Deal Killers” Before a Buyer Does.

Most deals fail in Due Diligence because of operational gaps the owner didn't see coming. This 50-point self-audit covers the three pillars of a sellable company: Financials, Operations, and Legal Standing.

  • Identify "add-backs" to increase your EBITDA.

  • Spot customer concentration risks.

  • Audit your employee dependency score.

The 8 Drivers of Company Value

Revenue is Vanity. Profit is Sanity. Value is Strategy.

Two companies with the exact same revenue can sell for drastically different prices. The difference is the Multiple. Learn the 8 specific structural attributes that sophisticated buyers pay a premium for.

  • The "Switzerland Structure" (Independence).

  • How to manufacture Recurring Revenue.

  • Creating a "Monopoly Control" niche.

Valuation Readiness Checklist

Don't wait until you are ready to sell to find out what your business is actually worth. Download our 25-point checklist to see the critical data points every owner needs before going to market. From normalizing EBITDA to passing the "Vacation Test," addressing these operational and financial metrics 12 to 24 months in advance can increase your final valuation by 20% to 50%.

The Owner’s Personal Readiness Test

75% of Owners Regret Selling. Don't Be One of Them.

A successful exit isn't just financial; it's psychological. If you don't have a plan for "Chapter 2," you are not ready to sign the LOI. This assessment tests your mental and financial preparedness to let go.

  • Calculating your "Freedom Number" (Net Proceeds needed).

  • Defining your "Life After Exit" goals.

  • Assessing your attachment to the company identity.

The Deal Screening Protocol

How to Spot "Tire Kickers" and Data Farmers.

Not every inquiry is a real buyer. Some are competitors fishing for data; others are "searchers" with no capital. This guide gives you the script and criteria to vet buyers without revealing your identity.

  • The "Proof of Funds" requirement checklist.

  • Red Flags in the initial NDA request.

  • Questions to ask a Private Equity Group upfront.

Download the Guide

Common Questions for Sellers

  • A typical mid-market transaction takes 6 to 12 months. This includes valuation, preparation, marketing, negotiation, and due diligence. We recommend starting the planning process at least 2 years before your desired exit date.

  • Confidentiality is our primary operational protocol. We do not list your business name publicly. We use blind teasers to gauge interest and strictly vet potential buyers (requiring NDAs and Proof of Funds) before they ever know who you are.

  • Valuation is driven by your Seller Discretionary Earnings (SDE) or Adjusted EBITDA, multiplied by a market-driven multiple. Factors like recurring revenue, owner independence, and growth trends significantly impact this multiple. We provide a formal Calculation of Value as the first step in our process.

  • AJS Capital is exclusively a sell-side advisory firm. We represent the business owner to ensure there is no conflict of interest. We do not "double-end" deals.

  • We offer two simple engagement models based on your preference:

    1. Standard Engagement: You pay a reduced 6% Success Fee by covering a modest engagement fee ($1,500, credited at closing) and a monthly marketing fee ($249).

    2. Performance Engagement: A Zero-Risk model where you pay $0 upfront and $0 monthly. We absorb all costs in exchange for a Success Fee starting at 8% upon closing.