—— SELL-SIDE M&A ADVISORY — NORTHEAST OHIO

Sell your business with experienced guidance, on your terms.

FFBA guides Northeast Ohio owners through every stage of a sale — valuation, preparation, confidential marketing, negotiation, and closing.

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Preparation makes the difference.

Most owners spend years building their business, but only months preparing to sell it. That gap is where value is often lost. The most successful sales are planned well in advance — with clean financials, a clear story, and a company positioned to withstand a buyer's scrutiny.

What sets our advisory apart.

More of the value stays with you

Our fee is structured around performance, so a greater share of the sale remains in your hands.

Prepared for diligence

Four decades of experience anticipating what buyers scrutinize — addressed before it can threaten your deal.

Access to qualified buyers

We reach strategic and financial buyers directly, including our own buyer network, and always confidentially.

Committed to the Northeast Ohio business community.

FFBA is actively involved in the region's business community. Ben Calkins co-founded the Center for Free Enterprise, which supports the growth, education, and successful transition of business owners across the Cleveland area.

Learn more about the Center for Free Enterprise

Your Advisor

Ben
Calkins

Founding Partner

"After forty years of sell-side deals, I've never met an owner who regretted preparing early. I've met many who wished they had."

Ben Calkins has advised on hundreds of M&A transactions across the Great Lakes region over four decades. He leads every FFBA engagement personally, from valuation through closing.

Credentials & Recognition

40+ years of Ohio M&A practice
AV Preeminent (Martindale-Hubbell)
Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award
Super Lawyer — multiple years
Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award
Co-founder, Center for Free Enterprise
Co-founder, North Coast Angel Fund
Former President, Ohio Venture Association

Our Process

A proven five-stage process.

Explore our full process

Discovery

Valuation and alignment on your goals.

Preparation

Positioning the business before buyers see it.

Go-to-Market

Confidential outreach to qualified buyers.

Negotiation

Driving a competitive, well-structured deal.

Closing

Diligence, execution, and a smooth transition.

START HERE

Know what

A Broker Opinion of Value is a thorough, no-cost assessment of your company's value today — and what could increase it before you go to market. Whether you plan to sell this year or several years from now, it's the right first step.

No obligation · No fee