Aria Business Advisors Discusses Business Valuation for Strategic Exits
M&A advisory firm shares valuation considerations for owners planning strategic exits
ROCHESTER, Michigan — Aug. 10, 2026 — Aria Business Advisors, a Michigan-based mergers and acquisitions advisory firm, today shared business valuation considerations for company owners weighing a sale, partner buyout or ownership transfer.
“In our experience, a majority of business owners plan to exit their companies in the coming years, and most will do it without a current business valuation in hand,” said Dominic Serra, managing partner and co-founder of Aria Business Advisors. “That gap costs sellers leverage before negotiations even start.”
Drawing on its closed transactions and observations of current M&A activity, Aria notes that EBITDA multiples vary widely by company size and sector. These market benchmarks represent one of several factors considered during a professional business valuation. Micro businesses are trading at 2x to 4x EBITDA in 2026, while mid-market companies are commanding 7x to 15x or more. Small businesses with $500,000 to $2 million in EBITDA typically land between 3x and 6x.
Where a company falls in that range comes down to a handful of factors: how dependent daily operations are on the owner, how concentrated revenue is among a small number of customers, and how well the business can document its systems and financial reporting.
“Buyers aren’t pricing what a business has done. They’re pricing what it can hand off,” said Dominic Serra. “A valuation done early shows an owner exactly which of those gaps to close before a buyer finds them first.”
Aria’s valuation approach combines recognized methodologies, including EBITDA and Seller’s Discretionary Earnings, with company and industry-specific analysis. The firm added that completed reports undergo financial and legal review before being finalized.
The firm has operated in the M&A advisory space for more than 20 years, with concentrated activity in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maryland. Additional information about Aria’s business valuation approach is available on the company’s website.
About Aria Business Advisors
Headquartered in Rochester, Michigan, Aria Business Advisors provides mergers and acquisitions advisory and business valuation services to owners nationwide. Its in-house CPA and legal team supports transactions across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, construction, technology, and retail.
Media Contact
Dominic Serra
Co-founder & Managing Partner, Aria Business Advisors
888-740-0333
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