Exit Equity Research
Advisory Approach
Exit Equity is a business brokerage and M&A advisory firm serving the lower middle market, representing business owners in transactions valued at $5 million and above. Founded in 2007, the firm has helped hundreds of business owners navigate successful exits through a combination of institutional-quality processes and personalized guidance. What sets Exit Equity apart is their position as the only female-owned M&A firm in the Pacific Northwest, bringing a unique perspective to business transitions.
The firm operates with a clear thesis: successful exits require exhaustive buyer outreach combined with institutional-quality process management, but delivered with the personal attention that business owners need during this life-changing transition. Their sweet spot is founder-owned and family-owned businesses with enterprise values between $5 million and $100 million, particularly in manufacturing, technology, and business services sectors where operational complexity creates valuation opportunities.
Sector Focus
Exit Equity maintains active practices across three primary verticals:
Manufacturing: The firm has particular depth in precision machining, contract manufacturing, plastics fabrication, aerospace components, and industrial distribution. Their team includes former operators who understand plant-level economics and production processes. Notable manufacturing transactions include Dabs Mfg & Assy (aerospace components for Boeing, Airbus, SpaceX), American Spray Technologies (drywall texture equipment manufacturing), Commercial Plastics Corp (50-year-old plastics fabrication shop), and JA Jack (century-old aggregate and quarry operation).
Technology: Exit Equity's technology practice focuses on SaaS companies, custom software development, e-commerce, and data services. They understand recurring revenue models, customer acquisition metrics, and technology stack considerations that drive valuations in this sector. Transactions include iclick (custom portable storage devices and data services), Bear Group (website and e-commerce solutions), and custom web/software development firms.
Business Services: This broad category includes property management, specialized services, and B2B companies. Exit Equity has completed numerous transactions in property management (Safe Harbor Property Management, Marathon Properties, Tanget Properties), professional services (Quantum Management Services, BRC Acoustics & Audiovisual Design), and distribution (Pro-MAAC Supply, Hadrus Vinyl Graphic).
Deal Track Record
Exit Equity has completed 100+ transactions since 2007. PitchBook data indicates the firm has provided services on 33 tracked deals. The firm maintains an extensive archive of past transactions on their website, showcasing successful divestitures across multiple industries.
Recent Notable Transactions:
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Pro-MAAC Supply → Twin Peaks Pump & Supply (2026): Exit Equity served as exclusive advisor to Pro-MAAC Supply, a leading provider in the industrial supply and pump distribution sector, in its acquisition by Twin Peaks Pump & Supply. This transaction included both business assets and real estate.
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BRC Acoustics & Audiovisual Design → Coffman Engineers (2023): Exit Equity advised BRC Acoustics, a 63-year-old Seattle acoustical consulting firm, in its acquisition by Coffman Engineers, a multidiscipline engineering consulting firm with 700+ employees across 20 offices. The deal expanded Coffman's acoustical capabilities to 13 employees companywide.
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Bear Group → Private Equity Strategic Investment: Exit Equity advised this leading provider of website and e-commerce solutions in partnering with a private equity firm for a strategic investment that bolstered growth and created a path forward for the founder.
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iclick → Recapitalization: This 20-year-old tech company providing custom portable storage devices and data services underwent a recapitalization with Exit Equity's guidance.
Additional Representative Transactions:
- Don's Group Attire (70-year-old uniform company, business + real estate sale)
- Tech Marine Enterprises (machine shop serving aerospace/industrial)
- Commercial Plastics Corp (50-year-old plastics fabricator)
- American Spray Technologies (50-year-old manufacturer, drywall texture equipment)
- Dabs Mfg & Assy (aerospace components for Boeing, Airbus, Blue Origin, SpaceX)
- CITC Fx and Bird Buffer (Eco-friendly bird control products, manufacturing)
- Quantum Management Services (30-year property management firm, Pacific Northwest)
- Hadrus Vinyl Graphic (wholesale graphics distribution)
Client testimonials consistently highlight the firm's tenacity through complex transactions, careful coordination, and dedication to achieving successful outcomes. Gaye Barrett of Quantum Management Services noted: "Due to the nature of our business, the sale process was long and complicated, however, Exit Equity was tenacious and dedicated and their commitment was unending."
Process & Fee Structure
Exit Equity runs a structured sell-side process designed to maximize valuation while minimizing disruption to business operations. Their approach includes:
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Valuation and Preparation: Comprehensive business valuation to establish realistic value range, identification of value-enhancing opportunities, and preparation of marketing materials.
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Confidential Marketing: Targeted buyer outreach while maintaining strict confidentiality. The firm speaks the language of private equity firms, capital groups, and strategic buyers.
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Buyer Qualification and Negotiation: Thorough vetting of prospective buyers, structured negotiation process, and quarterbacking due diligence.
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Closing and Transition: Support through closing documentation and post-closing transition assistance.
Exit Equity maintains extensive relationships with private equity firms, capital groups, and strategic buyers across the industries they serve, enabling them to quickly identify and engage appropriate buyers for each engagement.
Fee information is not explicitly published on their website, which is typical for business brokerage firms in this segment. Engagements likely involve a retainer structure with success fees tied to transaction value.
Buyer Network
Exit Equity maintains relationships across the buyer spectrum:
Private Equity: The firm has relationships with numerous PE firms and has successfully closed transactions with PE buyers, including the Bear Group strategic investment. Their website emphasizes the ability to present to and negotiate with private equity firms targeting lower middle market investments.
Strategic Buyers: Many transactions involve strategic buyers, including the BRC Acoustics sale to Coffman Engineers, Don's Group Attire sale to an SBA-financed strategic buyer, and manufacturing sales to industry consolidators.
SBA-Financed Buyers: The firm has experience working with SBA-financed buyers, particularly for transactions under $10 million where the business and real estate are sold together.
ESOP and Management Buyouts: While less common in their disclosed transactions, the firm's capabilities suggest they can structure these types of transactions when appropriate.
Competitive Positioning
Exit Equity differentiates through several key attributes:
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Female-Owned Leadership: As the only female-owned M&A firm in the Pacific Northwest, the firm brings diverse perspectives to what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry.
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Multi-Location Presence: With offices in Seattle (Edmonds), Houston, and Bozeman, plus licensing to do business in 47 states, the firm offers geographic reach that few lower middle market advisors can match.
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Operational Expertise: Several team members are former operators and entrepreneurs, bringing firsthand understanding of what drives business value and the practical challenges of running a company.
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Certified Team: Multiple Certified Business Intermediaries (CBI) and Certified Valuation Analysts (CVA) on staff provide institutional-quality credentials while maintaining personalized service.
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Integrated Services: In-house business valuation capabilities allow Exit Equity to provide credible, supportable valuations that withstand buyer due diligence scrutiny.
Not a Fit If
Exit Equity typically declines engagements below $5 million in enterprise value. Their website explicitly states the M&A advisory team "supports transactions from $5 million and up." Businesses with severe operational issues, pending litigation, or unrealistic valuation expectations may not be ideal candidates. The firm also requires exclusivity for sell-side engagements.
Team
Exit Equity is led by founding principal Dan Gibson, who brings 40+ years of business experience including time at Xerox PARC. The firm has grown to 12+ professionals across multiple offices:
Leadership:
- Dan Gibson (Founding Principal, Managing Broker): 40+ years of business experience, career started at Xerox PARC, Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI)
- Kara Gibson Brzytwa (Managing Principal, Managing Broker): MBA, CBI, instrumental in helping business owners sell profitable businesses since 2017
Senior M&A Advisors:
- Corey Gregg (M&A Intermediary): CBI, CM&AP, former entrepreneur with experience across startup, privately held, and public companies
- Heather Schmidt (M&A Advisor): CEPA®, seasoned entrepreneur and operator, co-founder of Union Square Companies (multi-unit bakery business)
- Grant Ferguson (M&A Advisor): 30-year track record in buy-side and sell-side M&A, former C-level executive focused on maximizing exit valuation
- John Byrum (M&A Advisor): Former founder, president, and CEO of OnlineMetals.com, successfully sold to ThyssenKrupp
- Jonathan Byrum (Business Intermediary, M&A Advisor): Accomplished entrepreneur using experience to partner with sellers of privately held companies
- Phil Brzytwa (M&A Intermediary): Career ranges from wind energy infrastructure to brokering rockets to orbit, has worked with pre-Series-A startups to Fortune 500 companies
Valuation Specialists:
- Blake Foster (Certified Valuation Analyst): CVA, has performed hundreds of valuations, extensive experience in financial analysis and due diligence
- Keith Rogstad (Business Valuation Analyst): MBA, AVA, founded and sold Duroboat Company in 2001, provides valuation and financial consulting
Additional Team:
- Terry Coe (M&A Intermediary): CBI, M&AMI, 30-year career helping small and medium-sized private companies grow
- Noordin Rayani (Business Broker): 21+ years as business intermediary, nationally recognized with multiple Victory Awards
- Brendan Byrum (Associate): Supports business development, client relationships, and M&A deal support
Geographic Coverage
Headquartered in Edmonds, Washington (Seattle metro area), with additional offices in Houston, Texas and Bozeman, Montana. The firm is licensed to do business in 47 states. Core geographic focus includes:
Pacific Northwest: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana – The firm's home base since 2007
Texas: Houston, Dallas, Austin – Established presence with Texas-licensed brokers
National: Licensed to represent business owners in 47 states, enabling them to serve clients regardless of location while maintaining their regional expertise
The multi-office structure allows Exit Equity to serve clients across the western and central United States while maintaining local market knowledge and relationships.