ENLIGN Advisors Research
Advisory Approach
ENLIGN Advisors is a Raleigh, NC-based business brokerage and M&A advisory firm specializing in main street and lower middle market transactions. Founded in 2003 by Jeff Snell, the firm operates with a clear thesis: delivering the highest market value, in the shortest amount of time, with complete confidentiality. With 20+ years of experience and 484 completed transactions across 51 industries, ENLIGN has established itself as one of the largest and most active business brokers in the Southeast.
The firm's positioning is distinctly different from traditional investment banks. Rather than targeting sophisticated private equity buyouts, ENLIGN focuses on privately-held, founder-owned businesses where the transaction value typically ranges from $500K to $10M. Their sweet spot is businesses with EBITDA between $200K and $2M—companies large enough to require professional advisory services but too small for most mid-market investment banks.
ENLIGN's approach is process-driven and highly confidential. Every client engagement follows their proven 8-step process, from initial consultation through closing. The firm emphasizes that they are motivated by service, not expediency—clients won't be pressured to accept deals that don't meet their needs. This philosophy has earned them a 5.0 Google rating with 26+ reviews.
Sector Focus
ENLIGN Advisors has completed transactions across a remarkable 51 industries, but their deepest expertise lies in several core sectors:
Manufacturing & Industrial: The firm has substantial experience with precision manufacturing, heat treating, overhead crane systems, material handling equipment, and custom fabrication. Their team understands plant-level operations, ISO certifications, and the unique valuation challenges of industrial businesses.
Construction & Trades: ENLIGN regularly represents roofing contractors, electrical contractors, HVAC companies, paving contractors, and trade service businesses. They understand the seasonality, backlogs, and customer relationships that drive value in these sectors.
Business Services: The firm has completed numerous transactions in marketing agencies, IT/managed services providers, VoIP/telecommunications services, and B2B service companies. Their team appreciates the recurring revenue models and customer retention metrics that matter in these businesses.
Retail & Consumer: From fitness equipment retailers and nutritional supplement stores to pet product retailers and specialty food businesses, ENLIGN understands inventory management, lease terms, and local market dynamics that affect retail valuations.
Food & Beverage: The firm has sold restaurants, catering companies, and food service businesses throughout the Carolinas. They recognize the intangible value of chef talent, recipes, and brand reputation in these transactions.
Automotive & Transportation: ENLIGN has represented auto repair shops, tire centers, yacht services, and shipping/logistics businesses. They understand equipment valuations, facility leases, and customer retention in automotive services.
Deal Track Record
ENLIGN Advisors has completed 484 transactions since 2003, making them one of the most prolific business brokers in the Southeast. While they don't publicly disclose aggregate transaction value, their deal volume speaks to their market penetration in the Carolinas lower middle market.
Recent Representative Transactions (2024):
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Sale of Stylist Studios (November 2024): ENLIGN sold this salon suites business for the second time in 17 years, demonstrating the firm's ability to build lasting relationships and support entrepreneurs through multiple business cycles. The transaction closed in just 7 minutes of negotiation due to well-prepared parties.
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Sale of US Fitness Products (November 2024): ENLIGN facilitated the sale of this fitness equipment distributor to individual buyers Richard and Sarah Roberts. The transaction involved SBA financing through Ivanhoe Capital/Pathward and separate legal representation for buyers and sellers.
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Sale of Working Space (October 2024): This commercial and residential storage solutions provider, founded in 2006 with customers across 19 states and 3 countries, was sold to Organize Work, LLC (a holding company focused on Carolinas acquisitions). Live Oak Bank provided financing.
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Sale of West End Kitchen and Catering (September 2024): This farm-to-fork restaurant in Pittsboro, NC sold in just 108 days from listing to close, demonstrating ENLIGN's ability to efficiently market food service businesses.
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Sale of Flame Treating Systems (August 2024): This second-generation, 51-year-old heat treating business in Durham, NC was acquired by Applied Thermal Coatings, Inc. of Chattanooga, TN—a strategic buyer expanding their thermal processing capabilities.
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Sale of Pure Barre Franchise (March 2024): ENLIGN sold this boutique fitness studio in Holly Springs, NC to PB H Springs, LLC, expanding the buyer's footprint in the Raleigh Triangle market.
The firm's completed transactions page lists dozens of additional deals across diverse sectors: roofing contractors, electrical contractors, marketing agencies, children's stores, dredging/dock builders, Japanese restaurants, wholesale distributors, pet care facilities, yacht services, outdoor power equipment dealers, VoIP providers, printing companies, and many more.
Process & Fee Structure
ENLIGN Advisors follows a structured, 8-step process for every engagement:
- Initial consultation and business assessment
- Business valuation and pricing strategy
- Preparation of marketing materials
- Confidential marketing to qualified buyers
- Buyer qualification and NDA management
- Offer negotiation and letter of intent
- Due diligence coordination
- Closing and transition support
The firm emphasizes their thorough, proven process honed over two decades and hundreds of transactions. They manage every detail to a successful close.
Fee Structure: While ENLIGN doesn't publish their exact fee schedule publicly, business brokers in the main street to lower middle market typically work with:
- Engagement Fee/Retainer: Monthly retainer ranging from $2,500-$7,500 during the marketing period, often credited against success fees
- Success Fee: Percentage of transaction value, typically in the 8-12% range for businesses under $1M, scaling down with larger deals (modified Lehman-style)
- Minimum Engagement Size: Based on their average listing price of $1.3M, they likely target businesses with at least $500K in revenue/EBITDA
ENLIGN offers complimentary consultations and provides business valuation services as a standalone offering. They also charge for business valuations separate from engagement retainers.
Buyer Network
ENLIGN Advisors maintains an extensive buyer network cultivated over 20+ years in the business. Their reach includes:
- Individual Buyers: High-net-worth individuals, executives seeking career transitions, and entrepreneurs acquiring their first or subsequent business
- Strategic Buyers: Operating companies looking to expand through acquisition, including competitors, suppliers, and customers in adjacent markets
- Search Funds: Entrepreneurial investors backed by capital to acquire and operate businesses
- Holding Companies: Like APE LLC (acquirer of Working Space), focused on acquiring and growing small businesses
- SBA-Qualified Buyers: ENLIGN has significant experience with SBA 7(a) financing and maintains relationships with SBA-preferred lenders like Live Oak Bank
- Regional PEGs: While not their primary focus, ENLIGN occasionally works with smaller private equity groups targeting the lower middle market
Through the Atlas Alliance, ENLIGN can market listings nationally to a network of business brokers, expanding their buyer reach beyond the Carolinas.
Competitive Positioning
ENLIGN differentiates itself through several key advantages:
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Transaction Volume: With 484 completed transactions, they have more experience than virtually any regional business broker. This volume means they've seen nearly every scenario and can anticipate issues before they become deal-killers.
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Team Certification: Every ENLIGN broker holds or is pursuing advanced certifications (CBI, M&AMI, LMCBI, ABI) from the International Business Brokers Association and M&A Source. Jeff Snell achieved the Lifetime Master Certified Business Intermediary (LMCBI) designation—the highest certification level in the profession.
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Industry Leadership: ENLIGN professionals serve in leadership positions with IBBA and M&A Source. Jeff Snell was selected for the "Lions of Dealmaking" panel at the 2024 M&A Source Fall Conference and teaches advanced negotiation skills for the IBBA MCBI program.
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Geographic Focus: By concentrating on the Carolinas and Tennessee, ENLIGN has developed deep local market knowledge and relationships that national firms can't match.
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Confidentiality First: The firm makes clear that confidentiality is their clients' #1 concern. They guarantee strict confidentiality and only disclose business identity to qualified prospects who have signed NDAs.
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Client-First Philosophy: ENLIGN states explicitly that they are "motivated by service, not expediency" and that "your needs and goals are our top priority." They won't pressure clients to accept suboptimal deals.
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Proven Process: Their 8-step process has been refined over hundreds of transactions and two decades. They manage every detail so owners can continue operating their businesses without disruption.
Not a Fit If
Based on their positioning and track record, ENLIGN Advisors is typically not a fit for:
- Businesses below $500K in value — Their average listing price is $1.3M, suggesting they focus on larger, more complex transactions
- Upper middle market or companies seeking PE exits — ENLIGN is a business broker, not an investment bank. They don't run broad Wall Street processes for $50M+ companies
- Startups or pre-revenue companies — They sell established, profitable businesses with operating history
- Founders wanting a limited, closed process — ENLIGN believes in comprehensive marketing to maximize value
- Businesses with significant legal/disclosure issues — Confidentiality is paramount; if a business has public issues (lawsuits, regulatory problems), ENLIGN may decline representation
Team
ENLIGN Advisors is led by founder Jeff Snell and supported by a team of certified professionals across multiple offices:
Jeff Snell, CM&AP, M&AMI, LMCBI, ABI — Principal Broker & Founder. Lifetime Master Certified Business Intermediary (highest certification in the profession). Selected for M&A Source "Lions of Dealmaking" panel. Instructor for IBBA MCBI program. Serves on the M&A Source Board of Directors (announced Fall 2025). 20+ years of experience, 300+ transactions closed.
Beverly Murray — Chief Strategy Officer. Based in Raleigh, NC.
Karyann Hull — Director, Buyer Positioning and Strategy. Focuses on qualifying and positioning buyers for successful transactions.
Carina Lisboa — Real Estate Broker, NC Broker in Charge. Handles transactions involving real estate.
Charles Milam — Senior Broker, Greensboro, NC office.
Joe Vagnone — Senior Broker, Charlotte, NC office.
Julie Wozniak — Listing Manager, Charlotte market.
Steve Zimmerman, CBI — Senior Broker, Raleigh, NC. Managed the 108-day sale of West End Kitchen and Catering and numerous other transactions.
Carmen J. Marzella, Esq. — Senior Broker, Attorney, Team Counsel, Cary, NC. Provides legal expertise and represented sellers in the US Fitness Products transaction.
Gary Pennington, Esq. — Senior Broker, Attorney, Beaufort, SC.
Gregg Kunz, CBI, M&AMI — Affiliate Broker, Rocky Mountain Business Advisors (Colorado affiliate).
Notably, ENLIGN requires that every agent and affiliate has owned a successful business, holds an advanced degree, and is an IBBA member working toward or having completed the CBI accreditation.
Geographic Coverage
Headquarters: Raleigh, NC (2009 Caminos Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607)
Regional Offices:
- Charlotte, NC
- Greensboro, NC
- Nashville, TN (led by Michael Fekkes)
- Beaufort, SC
Service Area: Primary focus on North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Through the Atlas Alliance national network, ENLIGN can represent clients throughout the United States.
Affiliations & Credentials
- International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) — Active member, Jeff Snell serves as instructor and industry leader
- M&A Source — Jeff Snell appointed to Board of Directors (Fall 2025), selected for "Lions of Dealmaking" panel
- American Business Brokers Association (ABBA) — Member firm
- Atlas Alliance — National network of business brokers for expanded buyer reach
Summary
ENLIGN Advisors is a highly active, certified business brokerage firm with 20+ years of experience and 484 completed transactions. They specialize in main street and lower middle market businesses (typically $500K-$10M transaction value) across 51 industries, with deep expertise in manufacturing, construction/trades, business services, retail, food & beverage, automotive, and personal services.
Their differentiation comes from transaction volume, team certification (CBI, M&AMI, LMCBI), industry leadership, geographic concentration in the Carolinas, and an unwavering commitment to confidentiality and client-first service. The firm follows a proven 8-step process and maintains an extensive buyer network including individuals, strategics, search funds, holding companies, and SBA-qualified buyers.
For business owners in the Southeast seeking to sell a company with $500K-$10M in value, ENLIGN Advisors offers a compelling combination of local market expertise, national buyer reach through the Atlas Alliance, and the confidence of working with one of the most experienced and credentialed business brokerage teams in the region.