For Owners
About Brightleaf Holdings
We are trusted partners to small business owners seeking to transition their business to the next generation of leaders.
Brightleaf Holdings is a holding company that acquires and grows small businesses over the long-term. We own a group of companies and reinvest the earnings they generate to grow our operating companies and acquire new ones with $1 – 3 million of EBITDA.
We have invested in over a dozen small business acquisitions and understand what it takes to close transactions and transition leadership. Our team includes small business leaders who are well-prepared to step into the CEO role post-closing.
Our process
Explore how we work with our partners
Building a trusted
relationship
What to Expect:
At Brightleaf, we start by building trust and understanding, connecting quarterly or semiannually to learn about your business’s unique story, values, and vision. This phase is about listening—getting to know your team, understanding what makes your culture special, and discovering your long-term goals.
Why Brightleaf?:
We value each business’s individuality, taking the time to appreciate the legacy you’ve built. By investing in these early conversations, we create a foundation rooted in respect and understanding.
Timing: “As long as it takes!”
Understanding your
goals
What to Expect:
Brightleaf team members visit your facility to see your business in action, meeting with your team and learning firsthand about your goals. We aim to understand not only your financial objectives but also the legacy and values you want to leave behind.
Why Brightleaf?:
We’re here to support owners who want a thoughtful, people-first transition. Whether it’s preserving company culture, empowering employees, or ensuring your vision endures, Brightleaf is dedicated to building on the strong foundation you’ve established.
Timing: 0 – 1 year
Creating a shared
vision
What to Expect:
We work with you to co-create a growth plan that aligns with both your vision for the future and Brightleaf’s commitment to building on what’s already strong within your business. This phase is all about transparency, gathering your feedback every step of the way to ensure the path forward feels right.
Why Brightleaf?:
We believe in crafting a plan that respects your business’s legacy while setting it up for future success. We encourage you to connect with other business owners we’ve partnered with to see firsthand how Brightleaf preserves and strengthens each company’s unique culture and values.
Timing: 0 – 1 year
Structuring the
partnership
What to Expect:
Together, we go through an iterative process to structure a partnership that respects the goals of both the owner and the management team. Once the structure is in place, we proceed with a formal letter of intent and begin due diligence, ensuring all aspects of the partnership align with your legacy and vision.
Why Brightleaf?:
We approach partnership structuring with a people-centered mindset, focusing on cultural alignment and shared values alongside financial terms. Our goal is to ensure a partnership that supports your legacy and personal goals.
Timing: 6 months – 1 year
Transitioning ownership
and leadership
What to Expect:
As you step back from daily operations, we carefully transition leadership to a new CEO from within our portfolio—a seasoned leader who understands the importance of preserving the company’s culture and supporting its people. This leader collaborates closely with your team to maintain continuity, honor the company’s values, and guide its growth in line with your vision.
Why Brightleaf?:
Brightleaf’s approach to transitioning leadership is built around protecting and investing in your company’s culture, helping the team grow, and ensuring the new leadership respects the legacy you’ve created. We strive for a seamless transition, giving you confidence that your vision and team are in capable hands.
Timing: 3 – 12 months
Life
beyond
What to Expect:
After the transition, Brightleaf supports you in moving forward with peace of mind. We ensure that both the company and its team are thriving under the new leadership, so you can enjoy life beyond the business with less stress and more freedom to focus on family, friends, travel, hobbies, and the pursuits that bring you fulfillment.
Why Brightleaf?:
Brightleaf’s commitment to you doesn’t end at the transition. We work to make sure that your company’s culture, people, and legacy are well-supported long after you’ve stepped back, allowing you to live well and stay connected to a business you helped shape.
Timing: No set timeline
What partnering with Brightleaf means for you
Your company
We’re caring business builders who act with integrity; you’ll be proud we are stewarding your business over the next generation
Your people
You care about your people. We do too. Our mission is to ensure both our companies and our people flourish.
Your future
This is a major personal, emotional, and financial decision that most owners only experience once. We’ll guide you through the process and support your transition.
What makes Brightleaf different
We’re intentionally unlike most of your other potential partners. We like it that way.
Not jerks
Respect and integrity are the foundation of every partnership.
We truly care about people
Businesses are about people, and we’re committed to supporting every person we work with.
Long-term owners
We’re here for the long run, dedicated to building lasting success together.
It’s our money
We invest the earnings from our existing business - not money from outside investors. We couldn’t have more skin in the game.
Why partner with Brightleaf Holdings?
We designed Brightleaf Holdings to be the ideal permanent home for small businesses and their teams. Here are a few of the commitments we make to our partners.
Fair Value
We respect that owners put their lives into their businesses and think they deserve fair, full valuations for their businesses. We don’t waste time making “low ball” offers or trying to short-change our partners.
Deep Experience
We are experienced acquirers and small business leaders. Trust that we will be professional, confidential, and move quickly during the transaction process. Post-closing, you will be proud that your company continues to be well-run.
Culture and Legacy
We understand that selling your business is more than a transaction. It is a life transition where people, culture, and legacy must be honored. We commit to operating with integrity so you are proud that you partnered with us.
Our Investment Criteria
Brightleaf Holdings invests in lower-middle market businesses in the United States, with a focus on Texas and the Southeastern US.
Our primary investment criteria include:
- Cash flow between $1 million and $3 million
- Durable demand for the company’s services
- Happy, loyal customers
- History of consistent profitability
- Capable team with a healthy culture
If you’re thinking about selling your company, we would enjoy learning more about your goals, and sharing any help we can, even if we aren’t the right partner for you.
They treated us as we would like our customers and employees to be treated. We knew they were going to take care of the people and relationships most important to us and our business. It’s not an overstatement to say how fortunate we feel to have partnered with them.”
