No Retainer Required:
Sell Your Business Without Paying Anything Upfront
Most business brokers will ask you for money before they’ve done a single thing to earn it. A retainer here. A listing fee there. An “administrative cost” that shows up in the fine print. By the time you realize the deal isn’t moving the way you hoped, you’ve already paid thousands of dollars and have nothing to show for it.
Whippoorwill Advisors does not work that way. No retainer required means exactly what it says. You pay nothing upfront. Not a dollar. We only get paid when your business sells. That’s it.
This isn’t a gimmick or a limited-time offer. It’s the way we have always done business, because we believe a broker who is confident in their ability to deliver results shouldn’t need your money before proving themselves.
Why Most Brokers Charge Retainers and Why We Don't
It’s worth being honest about why retainers exist in the first place. Some brokers charge them because they take on a high volume of listings and need to cover their costs regardless of outcome. Others use retainers to filter out sellers who aren’t serious. A few, frankly, charge them because they can.
None of those reasons benefit you as the seller.
We built Whippoorwill Advisors around a different philosophy. We are selective about the businesses we take on. We focus on trade-based and service businesses where we have genuine expertise and strong buyer relationships. Because we know these industries well, we don’t need a safety net in the form of your money. We are confident we can deliver, and our no upfront cost approach is how we put that confidence on the line every single time.
Our clients have called us a trusted risk free business broker because we back up that promise with real results. The letters of reference on our website speak to that. Business owners from bakeries to HVAC companies to regional media outlets have closed deals with us and walked away satisfied, without ever writing us a check on day one.
What a Success Fee Business Broker Does Differently
Working on a contingency fee basis changes how we approach your sale from the very beginning. We have every reason to price your business correctly, market it aggressively, and negotiate hard on your behalf. There is no scenario where coasting serves our interests.
Here’s what you can expect from a pay on success model with Whippoorwill Advisors. We start with a thorough business valuation at no cost to you. We then develop a confidential marketing strategy to reach qualified buyers without tipping off your employees, customers, or competitors. Every buyer is pre-screened and required to sign a confidentiality agreement before learning anything about your business.
From there, we manage the entire process. Buyer communication, due diligence support, negotiations, and coordination through closing. You focus on running your business. We focus on selling it.
That’s the full picture of what a commission only business broker actually delivers when they are serious about their work.
This Is What Aligned Interests Look Like
Selling your business is probably one of the largest financial transactions of your life. The person helping you through it should have skin in the game. They should feel what you feel when a deal stalls and celebrate what you celebrate when it closes.
That is exactly the relationship Whippoorwill Advisors is built on. We don’t get comfortable on your retainer. We get to work on your sale.
- Proven track record of success
- Personalized advisory approach
- Strong professional integrity
- Long-term client relationships
- Results-driven strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "no retainer required" mean exactly?
It means you pay nothing to get started. No upfront fee, no deposit, no administrative charge. Whippoorwill Advisors works entirely on a success fee basis, meaning our compensation comes only from the proceeds of your business sale when it closes.
How does a commission only business broker make money?
We earn a percentage of the final sale price when your business successfully sells. That percentage is agreed upon upfront and clearly spelled out in our agreement. There are no surprises and no additional fees layered in later.
Is a no upfront fee broker less motivated to sell my business?
The opposite is true. Because we only get paid when the deal closes, we have every incentive to work hard, price your business correctly, find the right buyers, and push through any obstacles that come up during the process. Our income depends entirely on your success.
What if my business doesn't sell?
If the business does not sell, you owe us nothing. That is the core of the risk free business broker model. We absorb the time and effort investment. You only pay when there is a result worth paying for.
Are there any hidden fees I should know about?
No. Our agreement is straightforward. We earn a success fee at closing. There are no monthly fees, no marketing charges, no administrative costs, and no fine print designed to catch you off guard. What we agree to at the start is what you pay at the end.
How is Whippoorwill Advisors different from other business brokers who claim no upfront fees?
Some brokers waive the retainer but make up for it with inflated fees at closing or vague cost structures that only become clear late in the process. Whippoorwill Advisors is transparent from the first conversation. Lou DeLone will walk you through exactly how we get compensated and what you can expect at every stage. No surprises.
How do I get started?
Just reach out. One conversation with Lou is all it takes to understand your options and decide whether Whippoorwill Advisors is the right fit. There’s no pressure, no paperwork on day one, and absolutely no charge to have that first discussion.