Our Process

How we sell businesses, with no upfront fees

Who we are and how we work, from the first conversation to closing

TrueNorth Business Transitions is a Texas-based business brokerage and exit planning firm. We help owners of owner-operated businesses sell on their terms. Founder Michelle Ellis has held a Texas real estate license for 15 years and built the TrueNorth team around one idea: a business sells when it is properly prepared and presented.

No upfront fees. Ever.

Your valuation is free, and we never charge upfront fees. Many brokers ask for a retainer before they do any work. Years ago, our founder Michelle’s father paid a broker $10,000 up front to sell his company and never heard from him again. That's why no one who trusts us with their financials will ever be in that position. We do the heavy lifting first, and we're paid only when the business sells.

Why preparation matters

You wouldn't list a house without cleaning it up first. Most businesses that fail to sell were never prepared: the financials weren't clean, and no one told the story behind the business.

Your team

A bookkeeper and fractional CFO who turn raw records into a clean, buyer-ready P&L
A licensed Texas real estate background for sales that include property
Dedicated support staff and automated systems that keep owners informed and get every buyer a fast response
Systems that produced 24 buyer inquiries in 48 hours, with immediate follow-up

Our Process

1) Mutual NDA: Sent electronically. It protects your information and the business summary we prepare.

2) Financials: Tax returns are ideal, but most businesses we work with don't have complete, buyer-ready financials, and that's fine. Working from bank statements, we build a P&L, usually in less than a week.

3) Your story: How the business really runs - your involvement, employees, who's staying, and what makes it valuable.

4) Free valuation: Based on a multiple of earnings plus operational factors. You see it before signing a listing agreement.

5) Listing agreement: Covers goodwill, equipment, inventory, customer relationships, website and reviews. Real estate stays with your real estate agent under a separate agreement.

6) Marketing package: A confidential business summary and a full Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM).

7) Launch: Released to our internal buyer list first, then listed on the major business-for-sale platforms.

8) Buyer vetting: NDA, proof of funds, relevant experience, and confirmation they're a legitimate buyer, not a competitor or tire kicker.

9) Offer to closing: We negotiate offers, manage due diligence, and plan a transition period to set the new owner up for success.

Our fee

A 10% success fee on the sale of the business, paid at closing. It doesn't apply to real estate, which is handled under its own agreement.

Next step

A short conversation and our mutual NDA. The process is automated, so you'll see exactly what each step looks like.
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