You only sell once. Protect the value you worked hard to build.

Vanla Group is a sell-side M&A advisory firm. When it's time to sell, you deserve an advisor who's sat in your chair, understands why the numbers matter, and protects what you built all the way to close.

Book a Confidential Call

20 minutes · No obligation

For owners of $2M–$20M businesses in home services, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.

$182M+

Transactions Advised

50+

Owners Represented

Upfront Fees

100%

Confidential

1:57 Paul Cheetham Harvard MBA · $182M+ advised

A Team Built for the Lower-Middle Market

Paul Cheetham founded Vanla Group to serve the business owners the big firms ignore. With a Harvard MBA and 12+ years in the lower-middle market, our team has closed $182M+ in transactions across services, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.

Every engagement is supported by a dedicated team of M&A advisors, operators, and deal coordinators. You get the full firm behind your transaction.

"I founded Vanla because business owners building $2M to $20M companies deserve the same quality of advisory that a $200M company gets. Most of them were getting a listing and a phone number."

12+ Years

M&A advisory experience in the lower-middle market

Harvard MBA

Institutional-quality analysis applied to owner-operated businesses

Bought, Operated & Sold

Businesses himself before becoming an advisor

Success-Fee Only

No retainer. We only get paid when you close

As Seen In

The Process

From first call
to closed deal.

A structured, confidential process built to protect your business and maximize what you walk away with. Five steps. Every deal.

Sell-Side Advisory Buyer Network Precise Valuation NDA-First

Book a Discovery Call

Confidential Consultation

A private conversation about your business, goals, and timeline. No pitch, no pressure, no obligation.

Valuation and Positioning

We analyze 3 years of financials, normalize EBITDA, and give you a frank market range. Not what you want to hear, what buyers will actually pay.

Curated Buyer Search

We quietly identify and approach the right buyers from our proprietary network. Every buyer signs an NDA before learning your company name.

Competitive Offers and LOI

We generate multiple qualified offers. When buyers compete, you negotiate from strength. Most clients receive an LOI within 60 days.

Due Diligence and Close

We manage the entire close: structure, due diligence, legal coordination. We only get paid when you get paid.

Track Record

Deals We've Closed

Sold

$28M

Sale Price

Healthcare Services

Southeast US

Healthcare 6.2x EBITDA

Sold

$22M

Sale Price

Home Services Platform

Mid-Atlantic

Home Services 5.8x EBITDA

Sold

$13M

Sale Price

Professional Services

Midwest

Services 4.9x EBITDA

Browse Closed Transactions →

The Vanla Standard

Paul Cheetham, Founder

You built something real. When it is time to pass it on, the process should match the care that went into building it. At Vanla Group, discretion is not a feature. It is the foundation.

Industries

Industries We Serve

Recession-resistant, owner-operated businesses with $2M–$20M in annual revenue.

Home Services HVAC, plumbing, pest control, restoration

3x–5x

Manufacturing Custom fabrication, contract mfg, industrial parts

4x–6x

Healthcare Clinical, dental, veterinary, med services

4x–7x

Business Services Staffing, consulting, outsourced services

3x–5x

Industrial Equipment, maintenance, commercial services

3x–5x

SaaS / Tech Vertical SaaS, managed IT, software products

5x–8x

Distribution Wholesale, logistics, value-add distribution

3x–5x

Professional Services Accounting, legal, financial advisory firms

4x–6x

Common Questions

What Business Owners Ask Us

What does this cost?

Nothing upfront. We work exclusively on a success fee — we only get paid when you reach the closing table. If we don't close a deal, you owe us nothing.

How long does the process take?

Most transactions close in 6 to 9 months from our first conversation. Timeline depends on business complexity, buyer fit, and how quickly diligence moves.

How do you find the right buyer?

We don't post your business publicly. We quietly approach pre-qualified buyers from our proprietary network — strategic acquirers, private equity groups, and individual operators with the capital and intent to close.

What size businesses do you work with?

We focus exclusively on owner-operated businesses with $2M–$20M in annual revenue.

How do you determine business value?

We use multiple valuation methodologies including comparable transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, and market multiples. Our valuations are based on actual market conditions and recent transaction data in your industry. In the end, we determine what we believe a buyer will actually offer you for your business.

Your business could be the next one on this list.

$182M+ in transactions advised. The next one starts with a 20-minute call.

Start Your Confidential Exit

No upfront fees. Completely confidential. No obligation.

You only sell once. Protect the value you worked hard to build.

A Team Built for the Lower-Middle Market

From first callto closed deal.

Deals We've Closed

Industries We Serve

What Business Owners Ask Us

Your business could be the next one on this list.

From first call
to closed deal.