Capital Business Solutions Research
Advisory Approach
Capital Business Solutions operates as a boutique M&A advisory and business brokerage firm specializing in lower-middle-market transactions. With over 20 years of experience since its 1999 founding, the firm believes that successful business sales require a combination of institutional-quality processes, exhaustive buyer outreach, and deep confidentiality protections. Their thesis centers on the idea that founders and business owners benefit most when paired with experienced advisors who understand both the specific operational challenges of their industries and the broader landscape of potential acquirers and investors.
The firm targets companies with revenues between $5 million and $200 million with earnings of $500,000 and above—the classic lower-middle market segment. Capital Business Solutions positions itself as an alternative to traditional investment banks (which focus on larger deals) and less sophisticated business brokers, offering institutional process rigor combined with personalized, accessible client service.
Sector Focus
Capital Business Solutions maintains an explicitly multi-sector approach rather than deep vertical specialization. Their transaction experience spans manufacturing, logistics and distribution, healthcare services, financial services, HVAC and home services, pest control, food and beverage, database marketing, real estate services, and professional services. This diversified approach reflects their belief that lower-middle-market buyers—whether strategic corporations, private equity firms, or family offices—operate across industries, and that strong process management and buyer network access matter more than narrow industry expertise in this segment.
Notably, the firm has developed particular strength in FedEx route transactions, with Patrick Gagliardi (Chief Operating Officer) earning the designation "Industry Route Expert" from Business Brokerage Press after facilitating over 100 FedEx-related transactions in the past decade. This specialized focus within a broader practice demonstrates their ability to develop deep expertise in specific deal types even while serving diverse industries.
Deal Track Record
Capital Business Solutions has completed hundreds of transactions over its 20+ year history. Recent M&A transactions on their website demonstrate deal scale and diversity:
- Database Marketing Company: $117 million (Northeast US)
- International Food Distributor: $27 million (South America and Caribbean)
- HVAC Residential: $27.5 million (recurring revenue model)
- Air Freight, Trucking & Logistics: $32 million (Southeast US)
- Wire Harness Manufacturer: $22 million (custom cables and assemblies)
- Agricultural Equipment Manufacturer: $14 million (Midwest)
- Medical Claims Company: $13 million (Northeast)
- Services SaaS: $12 million (customizable and scalable)
- Cosmetic Distributor: $11 million (national and international distribution)
- Multi-State Pest Control: $17.2 million (residential and commercial, recurring revenue)
- FedEx P&D Operations: $17 million (multiple routes)
- Logistics Company: $17 million (Northeast)
- Financial Services: $18 million (national program)
- Storage Business: $9.82 million
- Solar and LED: $7.52 million (universities and hospitals)
- Freight Forwarding: $2.1 million (Northeast)
The range from $2.1 million to $117 million demonstrates their broad experience across the lower-middle market spectrum. The prevalence of recurring revenue models (pest control, HVAC, SaaS, FedEx routes) in recent deals suggests clients increasingly value sustainability and valuation stability in transaction structures.
On Axial's platform (a major lower-middle-market M&A marketplace), Capital Business Solutions has closed 8 transactions since joining in 2019, with recent activity in August 2025 (performing arts/sports), April 2025 (home improvement/remodeling), and March 2024 (educational consulting), indicating continuous active deal flow.
Process & Fee Structure
Capital Business Solutions employs a multi-step institutional process:
Step 1 - Valuation & Planning: Comprehensive business valuation using industry comparables and standards, identification of value drivers, preparation of written information memorandum for buyer presentation.
Step 2 - Marketing & Buyer Qualification: Confidential marketing to pre-qualified buyers, non-disclosure agreement execution, proof of financial capability verification, buyer pre-screening aligned with seller requirements.
Step 3 - Due Diligence & Negotiation: Managed due diligence access, letter of intent review, coordination with seller's legal counsel, negotiation strategy, and facilitation of the closing process.
The firm maintains a database of over 5,000 national and international private equity groups and corporate buyers. They emphasize 24/7 availability to clients and coordinate with CPAs, tax experts, transaction attorneys, and financial planners throughout the engagement.
Regarding fee structure, the firm does not explicitly publish fee information on their public website, which is standard practice for business brokers—fees are negotiated on a deal-by-deal basis and typically follow modified Lehman (double Lehman) structures common in the lower-middle market, though specific terms are case-dependent.
Buyer Network
Capital Business Solutions' buyer network reflects their multi-sector approach:
- Private Equity: 5,000+ firms in their database, evidenced by strong PE presence in deal flow (database marketing to $117M, HVAC at $27.5M, pest control at $17.2M)
- Strategic Buyers: Fortune 500 industrials, regional manufacturers, logistics operators, PE add-on acquisition candidates
- Family Offices & HNW Individuals: Particularly active in recurring-revenue and main-street business acquisitions
- Geographic Coverage: Strong primary presence in Southeast (headquartered Florida) with transactions across Northeast, Midwest, Texas, and California; international buyer reach (South America and Caribbean transactions)
Team & Credentials
Capital Business Solutions' team averages 20-40 years of experience per advisor:
- Roberta Caputo (Founder & Managing Director): CBI, CBB, CSBA, APMAA member; Deal Maker of the Year (Florida); 13-time Million-Dollar Plus Award recipient; content expert for Purdue University Global (formerly Kaplan) business brokerage curriculum
- Patrick Gagliardi (COO): CBB; 20+ years real estate and M&A; 100+ FedEx transactions; "Industry Route Expert" designation; valuation specialist; Million-Dollar Plus Award 2011-2020
- Dale Shepherd: 30+ years corporate roles (President, CFO, COO); CBI, Certified Franchise Broker; led acquisitions from $7 to $2.3B; Vietnam-era US Air Force veteran
- Josias Senior: 40+ years business owner experience; CBI, IBBA, ABBA member; BBF Outstanding Sales & Deal Maker Award; bilingual (English/Spanish); international transaction expertise
- Jonathan Barak: 15+ years advisor/entrepreneur/operations; built operations in 22 countries; 300%+ profitability improvements; multiple business sale facilitation
- Jeff Brenner: 35+ years M&A and capital raising; fractional CFO; $5M-$125M transaction range; $100M+ capital raised; middle-market corporate financial leadership
- Clifford Gibson: 38 years Payroll/HCM/PEO industry; Paychex, Heartland, Ovation Payroll, iSystems leadership; PE and investment firm consulting; operations and growth strategy expertise
All advisors maintain professional certifications and memberships in International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), Alliance of M&A Advisors, Business Brokers of Florida (BBF), and related professional organizations.
Competitive Positioning
Capital Business Solutions differentiates through:
- Experience Density: Team combines 200+ years of collective M&A, operations, and transaction experience
- Multi-Sector Versatility: Unlike specialists, they can serve diverse business types without limiting addressable market
- Process Rigor: Institutional-quality processes, data room management, buyer qualification, and negotiation infrastructure
- Database Scale: 5,000+ buyer relationships provide both breadth and depth of opportunity for introductions
- Specialty Expertise: Particular FedEx route focus (100+ transactions) demonstrates ability to develop vertical expertise when needed
- Awards & Recognition: Consistent Deal Maker of the Year and Million-Dollar Plus Awards validate transaction success and industry respect
- Geographic Reach: Southeast headquartered with national and international transaction experience
- Team Accessibility: 24/7 availability and team-based approach (each deal has Direct Contact, Executive Contact, and familiar Analyst)
Geographic Coverage
Primary presence in Southeast (Florida, particularly Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties) with offices in multiple Florida locations, eight other states, Europe, and Brazil. Recent transactions span Northeast (logistics, medical claims), Midwest (manufacturing, agricultural equipment), Southeast (HVAC, pest control), and international (South America, Caribbean).
Sweet Spot & Process Timeline
Ideal client: $5M-$200M revenue business with $500K+ earnings, founder seeking confident professional guidance through sell-side process, industry-agnostic (though recurring-revenue models appear especially favored in recent transactions), willing to commit to institutional process with multi-buyer exposure and competitive tension.
Typical engagement: 6-9 months from initial engagement to closing, similar to larger middle-market practice timelines.
Not a Fit If
Based on their focus, Capital Business Solutions typically declines:
- Businesses below $5M revenue or $500K earnings (main-street focused but with floor)
- Sellers seeking "quick and quiet" sales without competitive process
- Business types requiring deep vertical expertise they lack
- Transactions requiring investment banking services (syndication, structured equity) beyond brokerage scope