The buyer pays our fee.
C3 is compensated by the buyer when a transaction closes. We do not charge owners a retainer or success fee.
An owner-to-owner conversation
I built it.
I sold it.
I stayed invested.
I’m Ross Cochran. I help owners of established businesses connect with the right buyers, across home services, construction, industrial services, environmental services, and more. I sold my own business in 2022 and reinvested alongside the buyer. I know the questions that come with that decision.
Talk with RossCall 317-201-3734 · Text me
You don’t have to be ready to sell. A private conversation, with no obligation.
Built. Sold. Reinvested.Sold my business in 2022 and retained equity alongside the buyer
Roughly $500MPart of the team behind a roughly $500M business sale
4+ years on the buy sideWorking directly with business owners and acquisition teams
You control what we share.
We do not publicly list your business. We agree with you on the buyer and the information to share before making an introduction.
You don’t have to sell.
I’ll help you understand the options, whether you want money off the table, a growth partner, or time to keep building.
The C3 story
Selling was part
of the story.
The conversations before a sale matter. So does understanding what comes afterward.
I built a construction company, sold it to private equity in 2022, and reinvested alongside the buyer. Since then, I’ve worked directly with founders and acquisition teams.
The price matters. So do your team, your role after closing, and the equity you keep.
More about my experience
I was part of the small team behind a roughly $500 million business sale, sitting alongside the CEO and CFO in discussions with potential partners.
That experience changed the questions I’d ask a buyer. I’d spend as much time on what comes after closing as I would on the check at closing.
Sometimes the right move is a sale. Sometimes it’s taking money off the table and staying involved. Sometimes it’s continuing to build independently.
Who I work with
You built a real business.
Let’s talk about what’s next.
I connect founder-owned and family-owned businesses with buyers whose interests fit. These are some of the industries I’m interested in.
Home and commercial services
Restoration · Waterproofing · Foundation repair · Garage doors
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Restoration · Waterproofing · Foundation repair · Garage doors · HVAC · Plumbing · Electrical · Landscaping · Tree service · Pest control · Pool service · Windows and doors · Flooring
Infrastructure and environmental
Paving · Asphalt maintenance · Snow removal · Septic
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Paving · Asphalt maintenance · Snow removal · Septic · Water treatment · Wastewater · Biosolids · Waste hauling · Recycling · Excavation · Utility contracting · Traffic control
Industrial and facility services
Fire protection · Security integration · Commercial roofing · Loading docks
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Fire protection · Security integration · Commercial roofing · Loading docks · Janitorial · Generator service · Equipment maintenance · Industrial services
Other established businesses
Manufacturing · Distribution · Towing · Auto service
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Manufacturing · Distribution · Towing · Auto service · Auto body · Accounting · Insurance agencies · IT services · Business services
Don’t see your industry? Reach out. The right fit starts with the business and the owner.
Relationships with 50+ buyers across private equity, strategic acquirers, and other capital partners.
More than a sale price
What would the right
partnership change for you?
Take some pressure off.
Take money off the table, choose your future role, and think about how you want to spend your time.
Build with support.
The right partner can bring capital, people, and resources to help you keep growing.
Stay invested.
Keeping equity can let you participate in future growth. The opportunity and risks depend on the deal.
How it works
Start with a conversation.
Build from there.
First, I ask about your business and what you want. Then I look for buyers whose goals fit yours.
Talk owner to owner.
I start with your business and your life: what you enjoy, what you’d like to change, and what you want the years ahead to look like.
Find alignment.
I consider buyers whose interests and approach match the opportunity, then discuss potential introductions with you.
See whether it fits.
A direct conversation helps both sides understand the opportunity and decide whether it makes sense to move forward.
Questions owners often ask
What does working with C3 cost me?
C3 works as a buy-side sourcing partner. The buyer pays our fee at closing; we do not charge you a retainer or success fee. If a transaction does not close, no fee is owed to C3. Other professionals you engage, such as your attorney or accountant, may charge separately.
If the buyer pays C3, whose side are you on?
C3 is a buy-side sourcing partner, and the buyer pays C3’s fee if a deal closes. I disclose that relationship before an introduction. You decide whether to meet a buyer, what information to share, and whether to proceed. I’m not your independent sell-side representative. If a competitive sale process or a sell-side banker would better serve your goals, I’ll tell you. You can also have your own attorney, accountant, and advisors throughout the process.
Will my employees or competitors know?
We do not publicly list your business or announce that you are exploring a transaction. Before an introduction, I agree with you on who will receive information and what can be shared. Sensitive information is shared under appropriate confidentiality arrangements.
Do I need to be ready to sell?
No. An introductory conversation can help you understand potential options, even if a transaction is years away.
Can I take money off the table and stay involved?
Yes, depending on the transaction. An owner may sell part or all of the business, reinvest a portion of the proceeds alongside the buyer, and continue leading it. How much you retain and the role you play are part of finding the right fit.
What is rolled equity and a “second bite”?
Rolled equity means investing a portion of your sale proceeds into the business alongside the buyer. If the business grows and sells again, that retained investment can create another payout, often called a “second bite.” The outcome depends on growth, ownership, debt, and the terms of both transactions; it isn’t guaranteed.
What happens after the first call?
I discuss your goals, the business, and whether there may be a suitable buyer. If there is a potential fit, I explain the buyer’s approach and ask whether you want an introduction. You decide whether to continue. A transaction takes additional financial review, negotiation, and diligence; the timing depends on the business and the deal.
What buyers notice first
What makes a buyer
take a closer look?
Every industry is different, but these four things often shape the first questions.
Repeat revenue
Do customers come back? Contracts, maintenance work, and repeat customers can make future revenue easier to understand.
A team beyond the owner
Who handles sales, operations, and customer relationships when you’re away? Buyers want to understand the team they’re partnering with.
Customer concentration
How much depends on your largest customers? A strong customer base matters, and so does the risk of losing one major account.
Numbers that hold up
Can your financials explain the revenue, profit, and cash flow? Clear records help buyers assess the business with confidence.
You don’t need a perfect score on all four. I can help you understand which questions matter most for your business.
Let’s talk
What are you
curious about?
What changes after a sale? What should you ask a potential partner? What could staying involved look like? I can talk through those questions before you decide whether to explore a transaction.
No obligation. A conversation with someone who’s been on both sides of the table.
Ross Cochran
Founder, C3 Partners
ross@c-3partners.comRequest a callShare a little about your business. I’ll reach out to arrange a 20-minute call. No deck. No pitch.