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Most business owners spend decades building. Then less than a year selling.
That gap is where deals fail, value is left on the table, and sellers end up with outcomes they didn't plan for. FFBA exists to close that gap.
We Help Ohio Business Owners Exit on Their Terms.
Most business owners spend decades building something valuable — and less than a year preparing to sell it. That gap is where deals fail, value is left on the table, and sellers end up with outcomes they didn't plan for.
Fast Forward Business Advisors is a Northeast Ohio M&A advisory firm serving both sides of the market. We guide business owners through the full process of selling their company — from initial valuation through final closing — and we represent acquisition entrepreneurs in identifying and acquiring off-market businesses across Ohio.
Whether you're ready to go to market or still three years out, the decisions you make now will determine what your exit looks like. We can help you get it right.
The Hard Truth About Selling Your Business.
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75% of business owners regret selling their company within a year
70–90% of all acquisitions fail to meet their initial financial goals.
25% of deals fall apart during due diligence, even after a buyer is found.
We founded FFBA to help you become part of the 5% who get it right.
What Sets Our Advisory Engagement Apart
A successful exit requires more than a buyer. It requires the right structure, the right counsel, and a process built around your outcome.
Maximum Equity Preservation
We have streamlined our operations to offer the most competitive fee structure in the market. Our tiered, performance-based model is designed to ensure that a greater portion of your life’s work stays in your pocket.
Integrated Legal Certainty
Transactional friction is the number one deal-killer. We eliminate this by integrating elite M&A legal counsel from day one. Clients opting to use the services of Calkins Law Firm realize significantly lower legal overhead through a unique, capped-fee structure.
Qualified Buyer Access
We don’t just "post and pray" on public listing sites. We utilize a proprietary, AI-driven database to proactively match your business with a curated list of qualified strategic and financial acquirers.
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"I cannot recommend Calkins Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional guidance during the sale of our construction company. What really stood out was how expertly they managed a very complicated financing structure on the buyer's side. They were diligent, professional, and ensured every detail was covered so the deal stayed on track."
Committed to the Ohio Business Community
FFBA is deeply involved in the regional middle-market M&A arena. Through our leadership and programming at the Center for Free Enterprise, we foster the growth, education, and successful transition of business owners across the Cleveland area.
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Ben
Calkins
Founding Partner · Fast Forward Business Advisors
"After forty years in this business, I’ve learned that a company is never just an entry on a balance sheet; it is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice. My goal is to ensure your exit honors everything you’ve built, on your terms and your timeline."
Ben Calkins is one of Northeast Ohio's most recognized M&A attorneys — Harvard honors, University of Michigan Law, over forty years and hundreds of transactions. He founded Fast Forward Business Advisors to bring institutional-quality advisory to business owners who have never had access to it.
Harvard College
Honors Graduate
University of Michigan Law School
Federal Judicial Clerkship
Squire Patton Boggs
Partner
Avvo Perfect 10
Fewer than 1% of U.S. attorneys
Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award
Super Lawyer
Multiple Years
Co-founder, Center for Free Enterprise
Co-founder, North Coast Angel Fund
Former President
Harvard Club of Northeast Ohio
Former President
Ohio Venture Association
Discovery
Valuation and strategic alignment.
Preparation
Crafting high-impact marketing materials.
Go-to-Market
Targeted, confidential buyer outreach.
Negotiation
Driving a competitive process to maximize value.
Closing
Seamless legal execution and transition management.
Get a Broker Opinion of Value.
Get a Broker Opinion of Value.
Understanding what your business is worth is the first step, whether you're ready to sell today or planning for three years from now.
No obligation. No fee.
No obligation. No fee.
Let's talk
Ready to discuss your business transition strategy with our experts
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