Transparent pricing

No upfront fees. You pay only when your business sells.

We're compensated through a success fee calculated on the Double Lehman scale — the same transparent, tiered structure used across the lower middle market. No retainers, no surprises.

$0 upfront

No retainer, no valuation fee, no monthly charge. We invest in your sale before we're paid a cent.

Success fee only

A single, tiered fee on the final sale price — due at closing, when you're paid.

Aligned incentives

The higher your price, the higher our fee. We win only when you do — there's no reward for a fast, cheap sale.

Success-fee calculator

Estimate your fee in seconds.

$3,000,000
$250K$25M
Total success fee
$240,000
Effective rate
8.0%

Illustrative estimate based on the Double Lehman scale. Subject to a minimum engagement fee; final terms are set in your listing agreement.

How it breaks down
The Double Lehman scale

A rate that steps down as your price climbs.

The success fee is layered: the top portion of your sale price carries the highest rate, and each additional band is charged less. That keeps the structure fair for larger deals while protecting the value of smaller ones.

Portion of sale priceFee
First $1,000,00010%
Second $1,000,0008%
Third $1,000,0006%
Fourth $1,000,0004%
Everything above $4,000,0002%
What the fee covers

One fee. The entire engagement.

Business valuation

A defensible, market-grounded assessment of value — at no cost, with no obligation.

Marketing package

A confidential information memorandum and financial recast that present your business at its best.

Buyer outreach

Discreet, targeted outreach to qualified, vetted buyers — strategic and financial.

Negotiation

We manage offers, drive competition, and negotiate price and terms on your behalf.

Diligence support

We coordinate the data room and shepherd buyer diligence so deals don't stall.

Through to closing

We stay at the table with your attorney and CPA until the deal is signed and funded.

The fine print, in plain English

Is there really no upfront cost?

Correct. There's no retainer and no valuation fee. We're paid a success fee at closing — if your business doesn't sell, you owe us nothing.

Is there a minimum fee?

Yes. Like most quality intermediaries, we set a minimum engagement fee so smaller transactions still warrant a full-effort process. We'll state it clearly before you sign anything.

How long is the agreement?

Listing agreements typically run 12 months with a standard tail period, so we're protected on buyers we introduced. All terms are spelled out before you commit.

Do you take every client?

No. If we don't believe a sale will meet your expectations, we'll tell you during the valuation rather than sign you up and waste your time.

See what your fee — and your sale — could look like.

Start with a free, confidential valuation. No obligation, no upfront cost.

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Milks Capital Advisors
Lower Middle Market M&A

Confidential business sales for established Central Texas owners in the $1M–$50M range.

Contact
Central Texas & beyond
Austin · San Antonio · Waco
(737) 295-4540
[email protected]
© 2026 Milks Capital Advisors. All rights reserved. All inquiries held in strict confidence.