John M. Salony
M&A Advisor · Business Broker
Helping Business Owners Understand Their Value and Navigate What's Next
ABI (American Business Brokers Association) · MBA · IBBA Member ·
John M. Salony is an M&A advisor and business broker who helps business owners understand the value of what they've built, prepare for a potential sale, and navigate the financial and personal decisions involved in transitioning a business. His approach combines financial experience, transaction perspective, and a commitment to helping owners make informed decisions. He is also the creator of YourExitValue.com, a free business valuation and exit-planning platform that helps owners estimate what their businesses may be worth and understand the factors that influence value.
What does John Salony do?
Selling your business may be the largest financial decision you ever make. For many owners, it represents decades of work, risk, and sacrifice. A well-planned sale can reward that effort; a poorly prepared one can leave significant value unrealized.
I help owners of privately held and family businesses prepare for that decision. That means understanding what their business may be worth, addressing factors that could reduce its value, presenting the company to serious buyers, and navigating the transaction through closing. My goal is to help you pursue the strongest outcome possible, with terms and a buyer that align with your goals.
See how the sale process works, or request a free Broker's Opinion of Value.
What experience shapes John Salony's approach?
My career has given me experience on both sides of a transaction: helping business owners sell their companies, and working in finance, valuation, and acquisition roles that showed me how buyers evaluate businesses. That includes investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, corporate planning at Lowe's, and senior finance and valuation roles at private-equity-backed companies, including portfolio companies of Apollo and Warren Equity.
In those roles, I evaluated acquisition opportunities, reviewed financials, and worked directly with business owners through diligence and negotiations. That experience gave me a practical understanding of how buyers look at a business: what they value, what concerns them, and what can stand in the way of a deal.
Today, I apply that perspective to small and mid-sized businesses. Most of the owners I work with are selling a company they built themselves, often for the first time. My role is to help them understand what buyers will look for, prepare the business before it goes to market, and guide them through each step of the sale, from valuation to closing.
My experience has also taught me that much of a sale's outcome is shaped before a business ever goes to market. Clean financials, credible forecasts, and a well-run company help buyers understand the business and assess its risks. The more confidence buyers have in what they're acquiring, the stronger the foundation for a successful transaction.
I've also owned my own business, so I know what it takes to make payroll and what it costs personally to build a company. I don't treat your sale as just another transaction.
What does John Salony believe about business value?
Know your number before buyers do.
Understanding your business's potential value before going to market helps you make informed decisions and negotiate from a position of greater preparation.
Value is built before the sale, not during it.
Clean financials, recurring revenue, and documented processes can do more to support business value than negotiating tactics alone.
Owner dependence is the silent value killer.
If a business cannot operate without its owner, buyers may view it as riskier, discount their offers, or require the owner to remain involved after closing.
Buyers pay for certainty.
Every unanswered question in diligence becomes a price cut, a holdback, or a dead deal. The best preparation answers those questions before they're asked.
The right buyer matters as much as the right price.
Terms, structure, and fit decide what you actually walk away with, and what happens to your employees and your legacy.
Exit readiness is a plan, not a moment.
Owners who prepare well in advance are often better positioned to pursue a strong outcome.
Why does an M&A advisor hold a commercial real estate license?
Many business owners also own the property their business operates from. When it's time to sell, deciding what to do with that real estate can be just as important as the business sale itself.
Sometimes, selling the business while retaining the property and leasing it to the buyer can provide ongoing income and flexibility. In other situations, selling the business and property together may make more sense. And for businesses such as car washes, marinas, self-storage facilities, and specialized manufacturing operations, the real estate may be integral to the business's value and marketability.
The right approach depends on the business, the property, the buyer, and your plans after the sale. My commercial real estate license allows me to bring that consideration into the broader transaction discussion, helping owners evaluate their options and understand the trade-offs, even when the best choice is to sell the business and retain the building. More on business and property sales.
Why did John Salony build YourExitValue?
Too often, an owner would come to me ready to sell, only to learn their business was worth far less than they expected. By then, the window to improve it had largely closed. It was a frustrating conversation for both of us, and it was avoidable.
I believe every business owner deserves to understand what their business may be worth, not just the owners who are ready to hire an advisor. So in 2024 I launched YourExitValue.com, a free platform that helps owners estimate the value of their business, understand the factors that drive it, and prepare for an eventual exit.
It's built for any owner, whatever the size of the company, the industry, or how close they are to selling. Whether you're just starting to think about the future or planning an exit in the next year, the tools are yours to use. There's no cost and no obligation to work with me.
For owners who do decide to sell, my advisory work picks up where the platform leaves off: turning that preparation into a transaction strategy tailored to the business, the market, and the owner's goals.
What are John Salony's credentials and experience?
Current Advisory Work
- M&A Advisor & Business Broker
- Founder, YourExitValue.com
Professional Experience Prior to Brokerage
- Business Owner, Palmetto Business Group
- Vice President of Finance, Data & Business Intelligence, MaleExcel.com
- Director of Treasury, American Railcar Industries
- Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, Meridian Waste (Warren Equity portfolio company)
- Business Intelligence, DCLI (Apollo portfolio company)
- Management Consultant, Resources Global Professionals (RGP)
- Acquisitions Advisor & Analyst, United Capital Financial Advisors
- Vice President, Global Corporate Investment Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- Finance Manager, Corporate Planning, Lowe's Home Improvement
- Senior Consultant, Decision Support, St. Agnes Healthcare (Ascension Health)
Credentials & Licenses
- Accredited Business Intermediary (ABI), American Business Brokers Association
- Member, International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
- Licensed Commercial Real Estate Broker, affiliated with G Brokerage Commercial Real Estate Inc.: North Carolina #302735, South Carolina #138767, Georgia #390999
Education
- Master of Business Administration, University of Maryland
- Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Maryland
- Bachelor of Science in Finance & Management, Salisbury State University
Frequently asked questions about John Salony
Who is John Salony?
John M. Salony is an M&A advisor and business broker who helps owners of privately held and family businesses understand what their business may be worth, prepare for a sale, and navigate the transaction through closing. He is an Accredited Business Intermediary (ABI), an IBBA member, and the creator of YourExitValue.com.
What kinds of businesses does John Salony work with?
John works with owners of small and mid-sized, privately held and family businesses. Most are selling a company they built themselves, often for the first time.
What was John Salony's background before business brokerage?
Before brokerage, John worked in investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, in corporate planning at Lowe's, and in senior finance and valuation roles at private-equity-backed companies, including serving as Head of Valuations for an acquisition firm. He has also owned his own business.
Why does John Salony hold a commercial real estate license?
Many business owners also own the property their business operates from. The license allows John to bring the real estate decision into the broader transaction discussion, helping owners weigh whether to sell the property with the business, keep it and lease it to the buyer, or treat the two as one when they are inseparable.
Is YourExitValue free, and do I have to work with John to use it?
Yes, YourExitValue.com is free. It is built for any owner, whatever the size of the company, the industry, or how close they are to selling. There is no cost and no obligation to work with John.
Should I sell my building with my business?
Not always. Retaining the property and leasing it to the buyer can provide ongoing income and flexibility, while selling the two together may make more sense in other situations. For some businesses, such as car washes, marinas, and self-storage facilities, the real estate is integral to the business's value. The right approach depends on the business, the property, the buyer, and your plans after the sale.
Is a consultation with John Salony confidential?
Yes. John offers a free, confidential consultation with no pressure and no obligation.
