Start with an hour. Know what you are dealing with.
Every consultation is with Ali personally, by video, phone or in person in Vancouver. You leave with a written summary and a clear next step. Prices in Canadian dollars, plus GST.
Business Acquisition
Buying or selling a business in BC: acquisition strategy, targets, valuation guidance, a due diligence framework and transaction planning.
Best for: Investors and owners on either side of a deal
Strategy Session
A full read of the business, the growth levers ranked by return, and an action plan with priorities and follow-up recommendations.
Best for: Established companies preparing to grow or exit
Canadian Market Entry
Market opportunity, regulatory overview, entry strategy, partnership options and an implementation roadmap for a business in Canada.
Best for: Newcomers and companies entering Canada
Startup Advisory
Business model validation, market entry, funding guidance, product roadmap and founder coaching.
Best for: Founders starting a business in BC
Fee bands for transactions and advisory
Published so you can plan. Sell-side bands follow the BizSell.ca schedule, modelled on IBBA Canada and M&A Source standards. Exact fees are confirmed in writing after the consultation.
| Engagement | Fits | Fee |
|---|---|---|
Business valuation Three methods (DCF, market multiples, asset-based), normalised EBITDA and SDE, Canadian multiple benchmarking, 25 to 35 page written report. | Any size | $3,500 flat |
Sell-side, Main Street Full representation: package, confidential listing and private network, buyer screening and NDAs, showings run by Ali, multi-buyer competition, negotiation, diligence, closing. | Deals under $2M | $5,000 retainer + 10% of transaction value ($25,000 minimum) |
Sell-side, lower mid-market Investment-banking quality CIM, private buyer list of strategic acquirers, search funds, family offices and lower-middle-market investors, confidential outreach to 100 to 250 qualified buyers, management presentations. | Deals $2M to $10M | $10,000 to $15,000 retainer + modified Lehman (8% first $1M, 6% next $1M, 4% next $3M, 2% above), $50,000 minimum |
Buy-side and advisory Scoped after the consultation. Advisory retainers for owners and investors run from $8,000 per month for a senior partner on call. | Acquisitions, financing, plans, exit planning | Fixed project or monthly retainer, quoted in writing |
Questions about fees
What does it cost to work with you?
Consultations are fixed price: a 90-minute Strategy Session is $499, a 60-minute Business Acquisition consultation is $399, a 75-minute Canadian Market Entry consultation is $449 and a 60-minute Startup Advisory session is $349. A BizSell.ca business valuation is $3,500 flat. Selling a business under $2M is a $5,000 retainer plus 10% of the transaction value, with a $25,000 minimum. Larger engagements are quoted after the first conversation.
How long does it take to sell a business in British Columbia?
It depends on size, industry, price and how prepared the company is. The process runs consultation, valuation, package, qualified buyers, offers and negotiation, due diligence, then closing and transfer, and each stage takes as long as the business and the buyer need. Owners who start a year or more before their target date have the most choice. Owners who need to sell this quarter have the least.
Start with a confidential conversation.
Tell Ali where the business is and what you want to happen next. You leave with a straight read on value, timing and the two or three moves that matter, whether or not we work together.