The Pillar 

The Year-End Readiness Checkup As the year comes to a close, many business owners shift their focus to planning, budgeting, and personal goal setting. But year-end is also one of the most strategic times to evaluate whether your business is positioned for a successful sale, especially if you are considering going to market in 2026.

Small Business Saturday is more than a shopping holiday, it’s a celebration of the people who form the heartbeat of our local and national economies. Across the country, millions of independent businesses open their doors every day with grit, creativity, and a commitment to serve their communities. Today, we pause to recognize that strength.

As the leaves change and Halloween approaches, there’s something scarier than ghosts and goblins lurking in the world of mergers and acquisitions, seller mistakes. These haunting missteps can send deals running for the hills. So, grab your flashlight, and let’s uncover some of the spookiest mistakes sellers make during an M&A process (and how to keep your deal from turning into a nightmare).

Capstone M&A is pleased to announce that Evan Vishion has joined our team as a Junior Associate. Evan brings several years of experience in real estate investment advising, property management, and project management, and he’s applying that background to help business owners navigate the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape with confidence and clarity.

Every deal has its cast of characters. There’s the eager buyer, the cautious seller, the advisors calculating numbers, and the attorneys dissecting contracts line by line. But when it comes time to actually seal the deal, one figure often steps into the spotlight quietly and then saves the day: the title company or closing agent.

When it comes time to sell your business, one detail many overlook, but which can make a big difference is your industry classification. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes do more than just satisfy bureaucratic requirements. In M&A and business brokerage, they significantly shape how visible you are to potential buyers, which in turn affects valuation, deal timelines, and buyer fit.