Serious Buyer · McHenry County, Illinois
I'm Mike Thornton — a technology and operations professional pursuing business acquisition to build something real, something lasting, and something my kids can be proud of.
About Me
Twenty years from now, I want to look back at this business and feel proud — not because I overhauled it, but because I took care of it. I have kids, and one of the reasons I'm pursuing this path is to show them what it looks like to build something real: to show up every day, treat people fairly, and earn a reputation worth having.
The businesses I'm drawn to are ones where the owner already did those things — where the customers trust them, the employees respect them, and the community knows their name for the right reasons. My job is to protect that, and to grow it carefully enough that the person who built it would still recognize it.
I live in Crystal Lake. This is my community. I'm not a fund looking for a return — I'm a person looking for a business worth running.
What I'm Looking For
Not a specific business, but a clear profile — one that signals durability, integrity, and enduring demand.
Commercial, industrial, or government customers with recurring needs. Not consumer retail or discretionary spending.
Long-term service contracts, route-based customers, or established commercial accounts. Predictability matters more to me than growth rate.
Essential services, industrial services, specialty distribution — the kind of business that runs whether or not the economy is booming.
McHenry County is my strong preference. Northern Illinois collar counties and the Chicago metro area are also considered. I want to be close to what I'm running.
$1M–$5M annual revenue. $750K–$1M EBITDA target. Financeable within the SBA 7(a) program with a total deal size up to $5M.
Tenured employees who know the operations. I expect to learn from them as much as I lead them in the early days.
What I Bring
A decade at Apple, Google, and PayPal — and an equally important decade in B2B operations, ERP systems, and business process improvement.
I hold a Master's degree in Project Management with a concentration in Quality Management. I know how to document processes, establish accountability structures, and build systems that don't depend on any single person — including me.
Most small businesses are underinvested in technology relative to their potential. I can build internal systems, automate administrative overhead, and modernize operations in ways most buyers simply cannot. I've managed ERP systems supporting thousands of daily B2B transactions.
Software Architect for an intermodal logistics company. NetSuite administrator for a B2B industrial distributor. Business analyst for enterprise software deployments. I understand how non-glamorous businesses actually work — and I have genuine respect for them.
How It Works
Selling a business can feel complicated. Here's how I approach it — transparently, patiently, and without surprises.
We talk. I want to understand the business, the team, and what matters to you in a transition. No pressure, no rush, no obligation.
If it's a mutual fit, I put an offer in writing. I'm direct and won't waste your time with terms that won't close.
I pursue SBA 7(a) financing — a proven, well-understood structure for small business acquisition. The deal is typically structured with 5% buyer equity, a 5% seller note, and 90% SBA loan. I work with lenders who know this process well.
I want your active involvement — introductions to employees, customers, and vendors, and time to establish my credibility with each group. A defined transition period of whatever length makes you comfortable. I'm not in a hurry to push you out the door.
I'm open to a medium-term consulting arrangement after close. Your institutional knowledge is valuable, and I'd rather keep you as a resource than lose it the day the ink dries.
"I'm looking for a business where the owner took pride in their work and people — where employees are treated well, customers served honestly, and the business has a reputation in its community worth protecting. I don't need a perfect business, but one built on integrity. My commitment to any seller is that those things won't change under my ownership."
— Mike Thornton · Crystal Lake, Illinois
Get In Touch
If you're thinking about selling and want to talk to a serious, straightforward buyer — I'd welcome it. No obligation, no pressure, just a conversation.