Client:
Confidential – Privately Held Global Leader in Travel Sales Representation
Challenge:
The founder and sole owner of a well-established travel-related business services company sought to sell the business after decades of steady growth. Although the company had strong fundamentals, its market positioning, internal processes, and future growth narrative had not been clearly defined for a competitive buyer landscape. The owner needed a trusted advisor to guide them through every stage of the exit process—from defining the opportunity to securing the highest possible valuation.
Our Approach:
Travel Again Advisory delivered a full-spectrum M&A advisory engagement, combining deep strategic insights with a tailored go-to-market process designed to optimize valuation and close with the right buyer.
- Immersive Discovery:
We invested considerable time upfront to understand the full history and hidden value of the business, engaging in detailed discussions with the founder and key team members. This included financial trend analysis, customer segmentation, operational assessments, and a review of untapped growth opportunities.
- Strategic Positioning:
Drawing from our extensive C-level experience, we recast the business as a growth platform ready for scaling under new ownership. We developed a forward-looking narrative that aligned with strategic buyer interests, incorporating sector trends, expansion opportunities, and a clear roadmap for EBITDA enhancement.
- Buyer Outreach and Market Engagement:
Utilizing our industry network and reputation as an honest broker, we engaged a carefully curated set of qualified strategic and financial buyers. The market-facing materials—confidential information memorandum (CIM), teaser, and management Q&A—were developed to highlight not only the company’s current performance but also its untapped future potential.
- Transaction Management:
We guided the owner through a disciplined yet flexible process, facilitating management presentations, addressing due diligence efficiently, and navigating final negotiations with a focus on value preservation and closing certainty.
The Results:
Our strategic and operational approach delivered well above expectations:
- Attractive Valuation: Business sold at a multiple 20% above comparable market benchmarks.
- Quality Buyer Outcome: The winning bidder was a strategic acquirer with a clear plan to grow the business while maintaining the founder’s legacy.
- Streamlined Close: Process moved from initial outreach to signed purchase agreement in under 120 days.
- Founder’s Goals Met: The client exited with full liquidity, confidence in the future of the business, and a clean separation from day-to-day responsibilities.
The Client Impact:
Our comprehensive M&A advisory approach transformed a solid company into a highly sought-after acquisition target. By contextualizing the opportunity beyond the owner’s initial goals and leveraging our deep industry knowledge, we were able to create a competitive process that maximized value and ensured a smooth transition. The client called the engagement “life-changing” and has since referred multiple business owners seeking similar outcomes.
