every successful business starts with a vision but scaling, optimizing, and maximizing value requires strategy. at old york advisory, we bring an investor’s mindset to established businesses, helping owners unlock hidden value, streamline operations, and position their companies for long-term growth or a successful exit achieving the result the owner was looking for.
we work closely with business leaders to provide tailored guidance, actionable insights, and disciplined planning, ensuring every decision aligns with both operational goals and financial outcomes. our approach is strategic, discreet, and results-driven, designed for owners who want to think like investors while running their business with confidence.
ADVISORY BLUEPRINT building systems for business success
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We provide strategic guidance to owners navigating a potential sale, acquisition, or combination. Our work focuses on evaluation, preparation, structuring, and coordination—not on brokering transactions. We help clients understand their options, organize financial and operational information, build valuation perspectives, prepare for diligence, and align with qualified legal, tax, and financing professionals. Throughout the process we serve as an independent advisor, ensuring the transaction is structured in a way that protects the owner’s interests and supports long-term value creation.
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We help business owners strengthen the core performance of their company by identifying operational inefficiencies, improving workflow design, enhancing margins, and building scalable processes. Our focus is on disciplined execution—analyzing current operations, diagnosing bottlenecks, designing practical improvements, and guiding management through implementation.
This is not accounting, auditing, or brokerage work. It is hands-on operational support designed to increase profitability, improve visibility into the business, and prepare the company for growth, acquisition, or future transition. We work closely with owners and leadership teams to align strategy, systems, and performance metrics so the business can operate more efficiently and sustainably.
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We help owners clarify direction, allocate resources effectively, and make disciplined decisions about growth. Our work includes strategic planning, market positioning, competitive analysis, and long-term value mapping. We translate high-level goals into actionable priorities and ensure management teams are aligned around a clear path forward.
This is advisory—not investment management or securities work—and is focused entirely on improving the company’s strategic foundation and long-term trajectory. -
We assist clients in understanding and improving the financial performance of the business. This includes margin analysis, cost optimization, KPI development, budgeting support, cash-flow visibility, and performance monitoring frameworks.
We do not provide audits or regulated valuation opinions; instead, we deliver practical financial insight and clarity so owners can operate with confidence, make informed decisions, and increase the economic strength of their company. -
We advise businesses seeking to expand organically or through acquisition. Our work includes market assessment, capacity planning, capital allocation analysis, competitor mapping, and integration planning.
We do not act as brokers. Rather, we help owners evaluate opportunities, understand risks, and structure expansion plans that are executable, financially sound, and aligned with the long-term vision of the business. -
We support owners evaluating leadership transition, generational succession, partial exits, or long-term planning. Our role is to help clarify objectives, prepare the business for a smooth transition, strengthen organizational continuity, and coordinate with external professionals where required.
This is not legal or tax advice; it is strategic guidance designed to protect the continuity, legacy, and value of the business while reducing uncertainty for all stakeholders.
capabilities
industries
> Consumer Packaged Goods
> Education
> Electric Power & Natural Gas
> Financial Services
> Industrials & Construction
> Manufacturing
> Oil & Gas
> Private Equity & Principal Investors
> Public & Social sector
> Retail
> Resturuants
> Technology , Media & Telecommunications
Connect with Old York in Canada
succession & owner independence
Most business owners start their companies with passion, sweat, and commitment. Over time, though, the demands of day-to-day operations, managing staff, dealing with clients and handling logistics can steal your time, mental bandwidth, and freedom.
What if you could step back, stay in control and let the business run without you? That’s where we help.
At Old York Advisory, we help owners transition from “hands-on operator” to “owner-architect.” You keep the upside, we build the structure that lets your company run on its own.
what we offer: smooth, strategic exit & succession planning
Succession Readiness Assessment
We review your leadership, operations, management team, and organization to identify what needs to be strengthened or documented to make your business independent of daily owner involvement.Leadership & Governance Structure Planning
We help you define clear roles, responsibilities, reporting structures, and decision-making procedures. Turning personal know-how into institutional knowledge.Operational Documentation & Process Mapping
Codify workflows, key processes, and business systems so the company doesn’t depend on a few key people, including you.Financial & Cash-Flow Planning for Exit or Partial Exit
We help you structure deals, payouts, or retirement plans so your exit or step-back doesn’t compromise the business’s health or value.Buy-Sell / Transfer Strategy (if relevant)
For owners looking to partially exit, sell equity, or hand the business to family / partners / third-party buyers — we advise on structure, and execute the transition for maximum value and minimal disruption.Transition Monitoring & Support
Stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away quickly. We help you phase into independence, monitor performance, and adjust governance and incentives to keep the business on track while you regain flexibility.
why this matters (and what owners often overlook)
Businesses built around one founder or owner often lose value when the founder steps away especially if operations, knowledge, and key decisions are not documented or delegated.
A strong succession plan increases enterprise value, improves attractiveness to buyers or investors, and ensures continuity for employees and stakeholders.
Transitioning from operator to owner-architect gives you freedom — without sacrificing control or upside.
Confidential Evaluation — We begin with a discreet, no-obligation discussion about your goals, business structure, and exit horizon.
Gap Analysis & Roadmap — We assess where the business stands and build a tailored roadmap for succession or partial exit.
Implementation Support or Oversight — You choose: we help implement the changes, or we consult and oversee as you lead.
Ongoing Advisory (If Desired) — Some owners stay partially involved during transition. We provide governance, reporting, and advisory support to ensure stability and growth.
how we work with owners
Owners planning to exit in 6 months – 10 years
Founders who want to step back from day-to-day operations without sacrificing control or value
Businesses that rely heavily on the owner for decisions, relationships, or operations
Companies preparing for a sale, merger, or partial sale
Owners seeking a smooth succession or leadership transition
Firms that want disciplined structure, governance, and growth systems
Multi-generational family businesses preparing for a transfer or shift in responsibility
Owners who want to scale without burning out or diluting culture
who this is for
structuring growth through strategic acquisitions
situation:
Multiple regional service businesses want to expand or consolidate, but lack internal expertise to evaluate acquisitions and integrate operations.
Action:
An independent sponsor or advisor can identify complementary targets, model potential transactions, and advise on integration plans to enhance efficiency and value creation.
Outcome:
By following a structured growth and acquisition plan, companies can anticipate increased EBITDA, stronger market positioning, and improved long-term value — all while maintaining operational control.
Disclaimer:
This example is illustrative. Actual results depend on company specifics and transaction execution.
proprietary deal flow & bolt on Acquisitions
deal sourcing methodology
market mapping
identify industries, geographies, and operator profiles aligned with the client’s mandate.
direct outreach to CEOs
personal, founder-to-founder communication that gets responses brokers never see.off-market discovery
we uncover owners who never list publicly — succession-driven, retirement-ready, or under-the-radar operators.confidential screening & analysis
we filter for fit, stability, financial health, and strategic alignment before presenting options.
the seller's solution
seller readiness
Most deals fail during due diligence—not because the business is bad, but because the documentation is unprepared. Buyers use "operational mess" as leverage to lower your price or kill the deal entirely.
We remediate common operational and documentation issues that typically derail deals.
Unlike a broker who lists your business "as is," we act as your Operating Partner for 6-12 months before we ever speak to our partners. We systematically de-risk your asset to ensure you exit at a premium, not a discount.
Financial Normalization: We rebuild your P&L to reflect true ongoing earnings (EBITDA), removing personal expenses and one-time costs so buyers see the real value immediately.
Operational De-Risking: We document tribal knowledge, secure key contracts, and reduce "Key Man" dependency so the business is proven to run without you.
Governance Structuring: We clean up your corporate minute books, cap table, and compliance history, ensuring your business can pass the rigorous scrutiny of Private Equity and Institutional diligence.
The Result: A bulletproof data room that forces buyers to pay for your future potential, not discount for your past mistakes.
our edge
discreet & off-market — 80% of our opportunities never hit public listings.
founder-led — fast decisions, serious conversations.
national intelligence — deep knowledge of canada’s industrial, services, and real estate ecosystems.
pricing & engagement model
old York engagements are scoped individually based on company size, complexity, and the nature of the assignment. Due to each mandate being materially different, we use a diagnostic-first approach rather than public pricing.
advisory fees
Advisory work is structured as a fixed monthly retainer that covers strategy, operational improvements, financial structuring, and owner support.
Retainers reflect:
• depth of involvement
• time commitment
• number of stakeholders
• industry complexity
• required analysis
A detailed scope and fee range are provided following the initial diagnostic meeting.
DISCLOSURE
Advisory separate from investment
Our advisory services are independent and do not include selling securities, unless we are also investing as a principal.
our success fee is paid on business performance not as a commission for brokering securities.
Our advisory services are non-securities-dealer: we advise, structure, and negotiate — but where we raise or invest, we do so as principals, not intermediaries.
When Old York participates financially in a transaction, we do so as a principal co-investor through Old York Capital Partners; we do not act as a public securities intermediary.
schedule a confidential consultation:
info@oldyorkfinancial.com | contact us
our focus areas
business growth & operational excellence: Optimize processes, strategy, and profitability.
mergers & acquisitions: identify principal mergers & acquisitions ranging from $1M–$50M+ across select industries.
strategic deal sourcing: Find opportunities in real estate, business partnerships, and private co-investments.
old york advisory provides actionable, discreet, and high-impact advisory services for business owners and corporations. we specialize in identifying and executing strategic growth opportunities, structuring complex transactions, and creating value where others cannot.
many of our partners operate under strict non-disclosure agreements, ensuring confidentiality and trust in high-stakes transactions. our work is not only strategic but results-driven, delivering measurable outcomes for owners and partners.
“old york advisory acts as a strategic hunter for companies, uncovering opportunities and structuring transactions that others cannot access.”
connect with old york advisory to discuss a confidential engagement:
schedule a confidential consultation:
info@oldyorkfinancial.com | contact us
start a confidential conversation about growth or transition
chairman & managing partner
connor a. Schroder
old york financial - foudner and chairman
old york advisory - business advisory specialist
old york capital partners - managing partner private wealth
info@oldyorkfinancial.com
Picton, ontario
Monday–Friday
9:00am - 9:00pm