Business Brokerage Services for Rhode Island Small Businesses
Hands-on brokerage and advisory support for small business owners ready to exit — with clarity, confidence, and real results.
At Bbg, we help Rhode Island business owners plan and execute successful exits. Whether you’re preparing to sell in the next year or exploring your options, our brokerage team gives you the structure, support, and strategy to make it happen smoothly. It's not just about selling your business, it's about removing barriers that can stop a successful sale.
Brokerage Services
Business Valuation
Before we begin a formal engagement, we deliver a Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) backed by real market data, not guesswork.
Exit Planning
We can help you prepare your business for sale by improving financial and operating systems, profitability, and transferability.
Deal Structuring & Negotiation
We craft deals that maximize your net proceeds while minimizing risks and surprises and can work with your existing professional service providers.
Due Diligence Stage Support
We manage the process so nothing slips through the cracks and to keep timelines with buyers on track.
Bbg's Local Focus
We’re proud to work with Rhode Island’s small business community — from family-owned shops in Providence and Warwick to specialized service firms across the state.
Our roots here mean we understand the local market, regional buyer demands, and what makes your business unique in this ecosystem.
When you sell with Bbg, you’re not just hiring a broker — you’re partnering with a Rhode Island team that’s invested in local success.
Words From Our Clients
David and Irish were wonderful to work with. They helped me last year and then again this year to build a plan in preparation for selling my business. I’ve got nothing but high praise for the quality of their work and their professionalism!!
Kerri Gaffett, Block Island Coffee
Our Brokerage Process in 5 Phases
How we work together to prepare, position, and sell your business successfully.
Transparent and Fair Pricing
Our brokerage service fee has two components:
First, The Basis of Our Success Fee
We base our success fee on the Double Lehman Formula. This time-tested model scales our compensation down for fairness to the client as the size of the deal grows larger.
The Double Lehman Formula
Our success fee structure
▪️ 10% of the first $1 million
▪️ 8% of the second $1 million
▪️ 6% of the third $1 million
▪️ 4% of the fourth $1 million
▪️ 2% of all amounts above $4 million
Second, the Monthly Engagement Retainer
100% Credited towards Success Fee at Closing
Selling a business successfully, on a reasonable schedule, and at the right price requires consistent effort. We charge a monthly fee because we are not going to just take your business, list it online, and wait for buyers to show up. We make a concentrated effort in selling the business, conducting outreach, and refreshing materials. This retainer is credited towards the client’s success fee at sale, so they pay it early with greater commitment to the process yet not in addition to the success fee in our partnership.
Purchase Price Estimate* Under $750K
Purchase Price Estimate $750K - $2.5M
Purchase Price Estimate $2.5M - $5M
Purchase Price Estimate $5M+
* Determined through a Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) backed by real market data prior to engagement commencing.
** Credited back at closing as part of the success fee.
“But aren’t there brokers who will list my business for sale for commission only?”
Absolutely. You’ll find a variety of brokers and real estate agents that will take your business and list it online for you. In exchange, they often ask for a commission of 10-12%.
What is the incentive in this case? On the surface, the incentive appears to be to make a sale so they will receive compensation. In practice, it turns into overpromising and overpricing in order to get a contract with a business owner, waiting years for the price to be beat up by the market until the seller is okay reducing the price, and passively waiting for a buyer who is willing to take a low-ball deal from a seller tired of waiting for an exit.
Making a profitable sale takes real work. That work requires reasonable compensation in the interim until the sale is reached. Additionally, that work should both improve your exit value and may provide immediate returns while operating your business until the sale.
Basic Partnership Terms
Our intention with our partnership approach is transparency, mutual commitment and accountability, and fairness. If ever a concern about our terms, it is something we should discuss immediately and candidly to ensure mutual understanding.
- Monthly & Success Fee Merger: Monthly retainer payments are applied towards the success fee balance at time of closing.
- Contract Length: There is a 12-month minimum commitment from the date contract is executed. If you cancel the agreement, the remaining balance of fees for 12 months following cancellation notice would be due.
- Cancellations of Agreement: Either party may terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice to the other party. There is a 12-month period after termination where if a sale occurs, success fee would be paid to Bbg. If Bbg cancels an agreement, no further fees would be required from you.
Why Choose the Bbg, Inc.
Real Experience as Owner & Buyer
In addition to selling businesses, we buy, run, and grow them.
Transparent &
Fair Pricing
No surprises. No inflated fees. No misaligned incentives.
Local Commitment to Rhode Island
Deep knowledge of RI’s market and business community.
End-to-End Exit Support & Advisory
From valuation through closing, we are by your side.
Proven Marketing & Sales Expertise
We are experts in positioning, marketing, and negotiation.
Bbg's Unique Background and Founder
Our firm was founded in 2014, originally as a marketing consultancy. The managing director, David Bradley, published two books on digital marketing, becoming a best seller in the Marketing & Sales category (Getting Digital Marketing Right [2015] and Digital Marketing MBA [2019]).
In 2023, David shifted the firm’s attention from marketing services to acquisitions. This led him to valuations, brokering, and exit planning for small business clients, as well as acquiring businesses himself.
In 2025, David acquired North Smithfield Fence. Through the first season, he has streamlined systems and improved marketing structures, resulting in 10-34% growth year-over-year by month.
Why does this matter to you? We have true and proven marketing and sales leadership and real small business buying experience. That translates to increased sale prices, more reliable management of the sale, better understanding of the local market and buyers, and a faster time to closing.
Start planning your exit with confidence and get ready to sell your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to sell a small business in Rhode Island?
Most sales take 3 to 12 months after getting to the market. To be ready to go to the market could take 12-months or longer, depending on how much exit planning you want and need. The timelines depend on the industry, financials, and exit readiness. We work to keep the process moving without rushing the deal. There are always times it can move faster depending on the business and sales approach, or longer for extremely niche or challenging sales. Three to twelve months is a sweet spot to set realistic expectations.
What types of businesses does Bbg work with?
We serve Rhode Island small businesses across home-services, trades and manufacturing. If the business is established and profitable, we can likely support the sale.
What size of business do you work with?
Our focus is on “small businesses”, which in RI tends to be from a few hundred to a few million in revenue. As you reach $10M+ in revenue, it may make sense for us to bring partners in who specialize in larger transactions, while under six-figures in revenue is often too small to sell. We welcome conversations with anyone to determine if there is a mutual fit while being helpful to guide you in your next steps, even if not working with us. Please reach out if you have any interest in selling your business in the coming years.
How do you determine my business value?
We establish a Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) based on financial performance, market comps, buyer criteria, industry influences, and operational factors. This provides you with a realistic number before our engagement begins and before entering the market. Your valuation is relative to your industry, business size and financial health. Key attributes that influence this include existence of a management team, quality of financial records, software systems and automation, growth opportunities, working capital and capital expenditure needs for operation, your competitive edge, customer concentration, and the brand reputation.
What is the cost of your services?
We offer a free market-based and data-driven valuation as part of onboarding before you sign an engagement letter. Following that, we have the monthly engagement retainer and Success Fee. The monthly engagement retainer is based on the estimated valuation and fully credited towards the Success Fee, which is paid at closing. The monthly retainer equips us to fully engage in the marketing process beyond the “list and wait” most brokers engage in, while showing a mutual commitment to the sale process. It also funds the unique marketing materials like seller interviews and a 30-50 page confidential information memorandum (CIM) to position and “sell” your company as a high value acquisition.
Why is there a monthly engagement retainer?
We do much more than “list a business for sale”. We outline how to maximize the sale, position your company, conduct active outreach to buyers, handle marketing for your deal, and prepare for and manage the due diligence process.
The monthly retainer covers that work and is credited back at closing, so it is not an extra cost yet it does enable us to provide your deal with proper attention and focus.
How do you find buyers?
We combine our internal network with targeted outreach, marketing, and industry-specific channels. While most brokers in the Rhode Island market will rely on passively listing a business for sale, we go above and beyond that by seeking out likely and qualified buyers. Additionally, our background as marketing & sales experts is how we are differentiated from the typical ‘listing service’ to skilled positioning, marketing, and negotiating on your behalf.
Why should I use a business broker?
Selling a business isn’t a simple task, and it’s often the greatest financial decision of your life. Trying to do it yourself can lead to added risks, leaving too much on the table, or never actually selling. It’s a more complex process than just listing it “for sale”. With a brokerage like Bbg, you get deep and relevant experience on buying & selling small businesses, Rhode Island specific market knowledge, realistic perspective on deal structures, a maximized selling price, key risk reduction measures, expertly managed negotiations, effective marketing strategies, accurate valuation, access to more buyers, and maintaining time to focus working on and in your business.
“Based on Axial data, the right advisor can help you find 10x more qualified buyers, get you a 25% higher price, is 75% more likely to complete a transaction than going it alone, and saves owners around 15+ hours per week in dealing with potential buyers.” (source)
How do you keep the sale of my business confidential?
Any materials about your business for sale that can be found in public listing websites are designed to attract the right buyers without revealing the company, exact location, or any other uniquely identifiable attributes. We receive inquiries based on this and only after a buyer signs a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will they receive materials that reveal the company. This keeps us in full control of who views your business details.
Will I lose control of the sale if I work with a broker?
No. You remain in full control throughout the entire process. Our role is to serve as your strategic partner, handling the complexity, guiding the process, and protecting your interests, while ensuring every major decision aligns with your goals, priorities, and timeline.
What if I already know someone who wants to buy my business?
Even if you already have a buyer in mind, we add value by bringing objectivity, deal structure expertise, and professional negotiation to the table. We can also introduce additional qualified buyers to create competitive tension, which often leads to stronger pricing and more favorable terms.
My business is really niche and particular. How can Bbg truly understand its value?
Every business we represent is treated uniquely. Some are more unusual in how they operate than others. That’s why we take the time to thoroughly understand your operations, market dynamics, and growth story before going to market. Our job is to clearly communicate that uniqueness to the right qualified buyers so they fully recognize the value of what you’ve built.
How do I know Bbg will deliver results?
Results start with the right approach. At Bbg, Inc., we focus on transparency, realistic expectations, and consistent communication. We prioritize long-term relationships and client outcomes over quick wins, and our reputation is built on trust, execution, and accountability. The honesty we have treated clients with for over a decade is part of why we have a lasting business and a solid reputation.
Do I have to pay a commission if my business doesn’t sell?
No, you won’t pay a commission because there is no transaction taking place. The Success Fee is paid only when we get to a closing. However, you will still have paid the monthly management fees. There is a great deal of value produced by our team while working together, so we ask for a 12-month commitment minimum and due following a cancellation of a sale, in part because our fees are so modest. This also protects us considering it’s possible you decide to pause the sale, reinvest in growing the business, and return to the market at a higher valuation, so we are compensated in the meantime for our investment into the process.