Testimonials

“As I’ve said to many people from the beginning, I would not have successfully transitioned my business to this next stage of growth without TobinLeff, period. They made it about us, not them, and took the time to understand our business, our values, and our people. We retained them as a full-on partner, not a consultant, and their expertise enabled me to continue to run Glen Echo Group, knowing I was in the best hands in the business.”

"This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for us. Navigating a transaction like this was made significantly easier with the TobinLeff team by my side. Thanks to their expertise and guidance, everything went very smoothly, and we closed much sooner than I expected. I truly believe that working with TobinLeff made my firm more valuable."

“Scott read every document and caught items that blew right past me and that my attorneys missed. I could not have navigated this without him, and left to my own devices, I know the deal would not have been as fair and favorable to all parties. Scott was able to act as an arbiter with the full trust of both sides of the transaction. His patience, honesty and ability to understand and process all this is astounding to me.”

“Thanks so much, again, for jumping on a call yesterday. I was able to come to an agreement last night with the buyout, which your call substantially helped. So while I don't need your service, I really, really, appreciate your time, and I will sing your praises to anyone I know looking for M&A options.”

“You made me some money. I can't say that about too many people.”

“The team at TobinLeff was our ‘partner’ at every stage of the process. They helped us craft an exit plan and appreciate our options. When we decided to sell, TobinLeff brought us many qualified potential buyers and investors. And, most importantly, they were with us through the negotiations and due diligence stages to help keep the deal on track and get it over the finish line.”

“TobinLeff did an outstanding job of marketing Communicus, which led to us having the opportunity to meet with a wide range of potential acquiring companies. From this set, we were able to select the one that was a perfect fit for us in terms of product mix, culture, and future for our brand. The fact that all of our clients and employees are excited about the partnership is a testament to the success of the process.”

“TobinLeff was a key member of our M&A team. They uncovered the prospect and shepherded us both through the process. They helped keep the discussions going when they might have gone off-track, and provided sound guidance on the deal structure and Due Diligence. They were critical to the success of our transaction.”

“Exploring options and understanding the right opportunity for Karma required a good look at a diverse range of companies that were prepared to make a meaningful transaction, would understand how to leverage what we have built, and also give us a platform to create new and exciting opportunities for our exceptional team. TobinLeff completely understood our ambitions and drove an exciting process that led us to a terrific result.”

“The TobinLeff team is remarkable. High emotional intelligence which is critical in that dicey time when you are selling your life’s work. Everyone on our team—and there were a lot of us—was comfortable with their approach, the clarity of his explanations and the intelligence of his options. You absolutely, positively must have someone by your side who has your interests at heart but can develop consensus and bring the deal to a close.”

“The strategic counseling, the advice on deal structure, the ability to create context, the ability to talk me off the ledge and keep me in the hunt was done skillfully on all counts. I felt that the TobinLeff team carried the same sense of stewardship on this deal as I did. We achieved a great outcome, we identified a terrific partner, and created a win-win deal structure.”

“Working with [TobinLeff] has been a transformational experience for us. It took the IDEA of our retirement and made it real. Now we have a concrete plan with real goals and expectations.”

“My firm and I have greatly benefited from the smart counsel and innovative approaches from the team at TobinLeff. They bring practical, real-world experience as well as deep insights and analysis that have helped keep Reputation Partners at the forefront of the communications industry.”

“As an owner, retiring was a scary thought – completely unchartered territory. I knew I wanted to pursue retirement and that it would require insights with those knowledgeable of our industry, beyond accounting and legal counsel. Based on their vast experience, we hired TobinLeff to guide us through the murky waters, They provided us insights into areas such as pitfalls to avoid, an enhanced, robust financial planning model, employee retention and expanded stock ownership, all after a deep dive into our firm. In the end, the firm is continuing to prosper and I am happily enjoying retirement!”

“As the CEO of a 60-person marketing firm, I knew succession planning was important to the organization‘s long-term sustainability; I even knew who my successor would be – but I had no idea how to begin or navigate the process. TobinLeff walked me through a step-by-step strategy – from evaluating my company’s worth to developing an equitable and successful buy-out plan. I relied heavily on their detailed explanations to understand and develop a comfort level with every decision, document and number presented. The end result was a very smooth transition to a new owner, and the confidence to know that my agency, and my employees, are in the best possible position to succeed in the future.”

“TobinLeff has been a valued resource as they helped us acquire four companies over the past eight years that contributed to our growth and value proposition. When it was time for us to sell, we knew TobinLeff would be the right M&A partner to help guide us through the important process.”

“The expert guidance and support given to me by David and his team during our succession planning was absolutely invaluable. I truly don’t know how I would have done it without them. They are part of our company family now.”

“After 25 years, I actively explored options for an exit. TobinLeff’s approach was the best I’d seen, thoughtful and comprehensive. They helped us maximize our return and protect our business interests in a way that resulted in a huge win for all involved.”

“We chose to work with TobinLeff after a series of disappointing interactions with other firms promising big outcomes. TobinLeff has been insightful, patient, and level setting, a true strategic consultant.”

"Having TobinLeff on our side during the transaction through the closing of the sale was invaluable. Their expertise in the M&A market was crucial in navigating the complexities of the process and ensuring I got the best possible outcome.  They provided strategic guidance every step of the way. They anticipated potential issues and helped develop solutions that ultimately made the deal better."

“This past year we realized we were ready to find a partner agency to bolster our capabilities and services. We wanted to find the right company to complement our strengths and also be a place for our employees to grow and flourish. We’ve accomplished that now with Truform Media Group and TobinLeff was with us every step of the way. Mary McKinney, Chuck Gottschalk, and David Tobin took the time to understand our value – and our values – as a business and clearly communicated it through all phases of the process - from initial valuation through cultivation, negotiations, and due diligence. This ensured we were able to develop and solidify a relationship with our new partners in Truform and accomplish all of the goals we set out to achieve.”

“TobinLeff was there to guide me every step of the way. I valued Roy and Chuck's guidance, diligence, and collaboration with Up&Up's accounting and legal counsel. I am very happy that I chose TobinLeff, and I would highly recommend them for the sale of your agency.”

“We have known the team at TobinLeff for several years, so when it was time to explore growth through acquisitions, we turned to them for direction and perspective. They provided superb counsel and guidance to create a deal structure that ensured value for all parties, and really helped us complete the transaction.”

“I relied on TobinLeff at key junctures of my company’s growth, from initial valuation to its acquisition by a third party. The team was professional and methodical, yet flexible in their approach. They were also unexpectedly empathetic. There are so many critical aspects to marketing and selling the business you’ve built, beyond just the financial ones. The TobinLeff consultants, especially Scott Leff, Holt Vaughn, and Chuck Gottschalk, served as a guiding force through a high-stakes transition that held both business and personal ramifications. I’m very happy with the outcome, and with the advice and support they provided.”

“It’s really important to find an M&A group you can trust, get along with, and are comfortable with because you spend so much time together. I knew TobinLeff's team had my best interests in mind, and I feel like we became friends along the way. They had the expertise and creativity to bring several quality candidates to the table, ultimately finding the perfect buyer and fit that will lead to even greater future success for our clients, our employees, and all. Throughout the entire course of the transaction, the TobinLeff team truly over-delivered and exceeded expectations, covering not only the sophisticated financial details and questions but also greatly assisting with integration and operation items, right up to the close and post-close. It was a terrific experience, and I am thrilled with this deal. It’s a great win for everyone.”

“When we specified our acquisition criteria and the need to add influencer capabilities, TobinLeff went to work and brought us multiple qualified prospects to consider. They were with us every step of the way to complete the successful transaction.”

“Selling a business can be intimidating and full of challenges. The TobinLeff team was there to guide me through every step of the process. They helped me understand each step of the process and steered me to make the best decisions for my deal. Having TobinLeff's expertise, experience, and counsel throughout the process created the right foundation for me to maximize the value of the transaction. I am delighted with the results.”

“TobinLeff played a crucial role in facilitating the acquisition of OrthoPatients. Their exceptional service made the entire process seamless and easy for all parties involved. TobinLeff's expertise and dedication ensured that the acquisition was completed smoothly and efficiently, resulting in a successful outcome for all parties involved.”

"Selling such an important part of your life – really, your life’s work – is a stressful process. I wanted this to run smoothly and be handled with the utmost care, because my team and our clients are on the line. We are grateful for the people at TobinLeff, as well as the team at Commit Agency, for taking this transaction seriously and ensuring such a good outcome."

“We knew what we wanted to achieve with an acquisition. TobinLeff’s expertise helped us understand how our goals fit into today’s M&A environment, and to structure a deal that was favorable to both parties in getting it across the finish line.”

“David Tobin was a key advisor throughout every step of the planning and negotiation process. While our agency had made some small acquisitions in the past, this was our first major M&A transaction, and TobinLeff’s experience and support brought much-needed clarity and the confidence to proceed. David helped me focus on the important points of the deal while providing a combination of experience and persistence to get it over the finish line.”

“Roy Page and the TobinLeff team made an extremely complex process as painless as possible. From the beginning, Roy sought to not only understand Bullseye as a company but also me as an individual. My goal was not to simply find a buyer but to find the right buyer to build on the success the team at Bullseye had achieved. Roy’s understanding of the Bullseye culture combined with TobinLeff’s proactive go-to-market strategy made that happen. I feel blessed to have been introduced to TobinLeff and truly appreciate the conscientious effort Roy put into helping to ensure a successful transaction.”

“We could not be more pleased to now be part of Lambert & Co., which is providing us with the additional scale and resources we sought to continue the growth of our national IR and corporate communications practice, with particular emphasis on the financial services industry. TobinLeff not only introduced us to Jeff Lambert and his talented team, but its highly responsive consultants, David Tobin and Holt Vaughn, provided valuable advice to support our efforts to successfully complete a transaction that met or exceeded every one of our goals and objectives as founders.”

“After owning an agency for 24 years, I knew that I wanted to begin seriously planning for succession. Roy Page, with TobinLeff, was referred to me by another agency friend. As a previous agency owner, I hit it off with Roy right away, since our firms were very similar in size and function. He got me. Roy and the team at TobinLeff began by conducting a value driver assessment with our firm, interviewing our senior staff, conducted a valuation, and counseled me on the various options to potentially sell my business. We landed on an MBO, which was important to me to continue the legacy of my business. Their guidance was never pushy, always thoughtful and educational in nature. They did an excellent job of guiding us through this process in a very thorough manner. The ultimate successful sale of my business would have never gone as smoothly as it has without their support. The final outcome was exactly what I wanted."

"As a company, Mad Fish completes what we've been building with Grady Britton for years — purposeful, creative, and super relevant for what marketing needs today. I couldn't be more proud of this moment and the connection that TobinLeff brought together."

"I have known team members at TobinLeff for more than a decade, so I knew when it was our time to seek an equity partner or sell, they would be our advisory firm. It was a good decision – they brought us multiple potential financial and strategic buyers and investors and guided us through every step of the process."

"Selling a business you’ve built over decades is a deeply personal and complex process. TobinLeff provided invaluable guidance, strategy, and expertise, ensuring we found the right partner in Mighty Union. Their team understood our goals and worked tirelessly to create an outcome that sets Boston Digital up for continued success."

"When needed over the past five years, I turned to TobinLeff for advice on exit planning and prepping my company for a sale. Their advice was insightful and helpful. When it was time to sell, TobinLeff delivered and found the right buyer that met my criteria. It’s been a great long-term relationship.”

"Having TobinLeff on our side during the transaction through the closing of the sale was invaluable. Their expertise was crucial in navigating the complexities of the process and ensuring we got the best possible outcome. They provided strategic guidance to our team every step of the way. They anticipated potential issues and helped develop solutions that ultimately made the deal better for both parties.”

"TobinLeff was the consummate partner throughout the entire transition journey for Karsh Hagan. From helping us find the best partner who aligned with our culture, our current team, strategic alignment, opportunities and vision for the future - to the final close and done deal! Add to this their relationships around the nation, forensic accounting, business acumen, legal and coaching—there is no one else we would have preferred by our side. We are grateful and feel so very fortunate we engaged the team at TobinLeff. They were the ultimate M&A team for Karsh Hagan. Anyone would be fortunate to have them on their team, too."

"Selling your business is complicated to say the least. You need professionals that eat, sleep, and breathe M&A. The team of specialists at TobinLeff are consummate professionals when it comes to positioning your company to prospective partners in the market. In the end, this means achieving the right financial terms, finding a good partner match and making sure working capital is fairly balanced for both the buyer and seller. TobinLeff excelled in all respects."

"We interviewed 13 M&A advisors (yes, 13!) and chose TobinLeff. The selection process was rigorous, but the decision was easy. TobinLeff's knowledge of our industry, their success record, and their people made them shine. I can't count how many times one of us said, ‘I'm so happy we chose TobinLeff.’"

"I can't imagine doing this without Mary and Chuck. Selling a business is hard. The TobinLeff team made the process easier, our team smarter, and the deal better."