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Why Hiring an Investment Banker is the Right Move for First-time Founders Trying to Exit

The value of your firm is influenced by the comparables for recently sold firms like yours. In this episode, Frank Williamson, Founder & CEO at Oaklyn Consulting, shares details about comps, valuation, and the benefits of an investment banker. Listen to the full episode below.

About Frank Williamson

Frank Williamson is the founder of Oaklyn Consulting, a different kind of investment banking firm for small- and medium-sized companies under private ownership. Oaklyn Consulting plans and executes its clients’ most complex transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, capital-raising, recapitalizations, and lender and investor relations. By working as consultants, not brokers, Oaklyn Consulting helps in situations where traditional investment bankers typically cannot.

Oaklyn Consulting Advises 911 Custom on Sale to LEHR Upfitters Holdings, a Broadwing Capital Portfolio Company

Chattanooga, Tenn., June 8, 2026 — Oaklyn Consulting today announced it served as exclusive financial advisor to 911 Custom LLC in connection with its sale to LEHR Upfitters Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Broadwing Capital Management. Terms of the transaction...

Five Post-Merger Challenges and How to Solve Them

By Frank Williamson, Oaklyn Consulting, and Ernie Lopez, MergerAI   The closing of an M&A deal is often a hard-earned milestone after a prolonged period of negotiations and uncertainty. Yet, once the paperwork is signed, the real challenge begins: integrating...

Oaklyn Consulting Celebrates 10 Years of Helping Businesses Navigate Critical Capital Decisions

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., June 1, 2026 – Oaklyn Consulting, a Chattanooga-based mergers, acquisitions and capital-raising consulting firm, today celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding in 2016. Founded by investment banker Frank Williamson, Oaklyn Consulting helps...

​5 Steps To Prepare For Selling Your Small Business

Originally published by Forbes, featuring Frank Williamson. We’re grateful to Forbes for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation. Read the full article below.If you’ve managed to build a prosperous business, you’re in the minority—according to the...

Strategic vs. Financial Buyers: What’s Best for Your Business?

One of the first questions any business owner considering a sale needs to answer is whether to pursue a strategic buyer or a financial buyer. Each category of acquirer has fundamentally different motivations for buying, has different criteria for what they’re looking...

Outside Capital: What Are You Really Giving Up in Return?

Originally published by Collective 54, featuring Frank Williamson. We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation. Read the full article below.As professional services founders, we all understand that in the course of founding and...

What To Expect During The M&A Due Diligence Process

Originally published by Forbes, featuring Frank Williamson. We’re grateful to Forbes for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation. Read the full article below.When making any large purchase, be it a car, a house or a business, any smart buyer wants...

Oaklyn Consulting Provides Advisory Services to Chestnut Funds in Acquisition by Anchor Health Properties

Oaklyn Consulting provided M&A advisory services to Chestnut Funds in its acquisition by Anchor Health Properties, supporting founder alignment and deal execution. Learn more.

Navigating The End Of A Business Partnership With Empathy And Confidence

Originally published by Forbes, featuring Frank Williamson. We’re grateful to Forbes for the opportunity to contribute to this important conversation. Read the full article below.The end of a business partnership is often an emotionally draining experience for...

How to Acquire Your First Small Business In 4 Steps

Learn how to acquire your first small business with a clear 4‑step framework. Set goals, build a prospect list, engage owners effectively, and negotiate with confidence.