Do-It-Yourself
- Best for
- Owners with a buyer, a partner or a plan who want to keep control
- Who leads
- You, with us at your side
- How it begins
- Do-It-Yourself Deal Review
Transaction Leadership
Investment Banking & M&A Advisory—in the Role You Need.
When a transaction is the right answer, experienced judgment should shape the approach. We can lead the transaction, work beside you while you lead it, or help select and oversee another investment banking firm. Your objectives come first; the process follows.
Do-it-yourself transactionsJD Ford-led transactionsWe lead the financial and business negotiation, working closely with counsel on the legal terms that give those decisions effect.
Investment Bank Experience. An Owner’s Perspective.
Owners looking for an investment bank may need more than a sale process. JD Ford combines investment banking and M&A advisory services with the perspective of an independent ownership advisor—experienced judgment before the commitment, and transaction leadership when the chosen path requires it.
Selling Your Business
If you are considering selling your business, we help evaluate the alternatives and the terms that determine what you receive, when you receive it and what remains at risk. You may need an M&A advisor to lead a process, support a negotiation with a buyer you already know, or represent your interests alongside another execution firm.
Acquisition Advisory
For an owner considering buying a business, acquisition advisory begins with strategic fit, valuation, funding requirements and execution capacity—not simply reaching an agreement. We help evaluate the opportunity and negotiate a structure the business can support.
Choose the role that serves your decision
JD Ford-Led
- Best for
- Owners who want a targeted or competitive process run for them
- Who leads
- We do, with you making the decisions
- How it begins
- Ownership & Transition Readiness Review
Owner’s Representative
- Best for
- Owners who want an experienced advisor while another firm leads execution
- Who leads
- The selected execution firm; you retain decision authority
- How it begins
- Discuss the decision and the advisory role
Do-It-Yourself Transactions
Your deal. Your control. Experienced judgment at your side.
Many owners sell, buy or recapitalize without hiring an investment banker. Some have a buyer already at the table. Others prefer not to run a broad process. That can be the right choice.
What the other side won’t point out is where the value and the risk sit in the terms: working capital, earnouts, seller notes, rollover equity, indemnities and the conditions to closing. We help you understand the economics, prepare for diligence and negotiate from strength. You stay in charge, and we stay in your corner.
What we do
- Valuation and offer review against your alternatives
- Negotiation strategy, leverage and walk-away points
- Letter of intent and key term review with your attorney
- Diligence preparation and data-room readiness
- Coaching through each stage, and at the table when you ask
- Closing coordination with your legal, tax and accounting advisors
JD Ford-Led Transactions
A disciplined process built around your objectives.
When a transaction is the chosen path, we first agree what a successful outcome must accomplish. A targeted negotiation or a competitive process may be appropriate. The approach should fit the business, the owners’ priorities and the circumstances—not a standard playbook.
What we do
- Preparation: positioning, financial presentation and readiness for diligence
- Identification of the buyers or investors most likely to value the business
- Confidential outreach and competitive process management
- Evaluation of proposals on price, structure, certainty and fit
- Negotiation leadership through definitive agreements and closing
- Coordination with legal, tax, accounting and wealth advisors
For larger or cross-border processes, we can add senior execution resources while remaining your lead advisor.
“What truly set him apart was his ability to bring an incredible roster of high-caliber, qualified buyers who were industry specific, creating a competitive environment that drove tangible value.”
John Wislawski · Star Precision Manufacturing
Read John’s storyRead Patrick’s storyYour advisor, even when another firm leads the process.
An owner may need an experienced representative alongside an investment banking firm, not a second firm competing to run the mandate. We can help evaluate execution firms, examine proposals and negotiation choices, and keep the owner’s objectives visible as the process advances.
Acquisitions, recapitalizations and capital.
We also lead acquisitions and recapitalizations: identifying and evaluating targets, structuring and financing transactions, and negotiating terms that fit the owners’ long-term objectives.
The headline price is only the beginning.
Cash at closing, retained equity, seller financing, earnouts, working capital targets and indemnities can change what an owner actually receives and what remains at risk. We make those tradeoffs visible before you commit.
See the sell-side, buy-side, financing and valuation engagements Joe Durnford has led.
View representative engagementsConsidering a sale, an acquisition or a partner?
Start with what you want to achieve and how involved you want to be. We will help you decide on the right role and the right next step.
Start a confidential conversation