Selling direct to a principled buyer wins over sales to competitors, strategic buyers, or private equity.
Fair deal terms. Trusted handoff. Team continuity. Legacy respected.
For Business Owners - Selling direct to a principled buyer wins over sales to competitors, strategic buyers, or private equity.
Star Course is seeking to purchase a single outstanding business possessing with $3M to $20M in revenue and strong growth potential within the Carolinas region.
We’re focused on partnering with the right owner to offer personal liquidity, continuity, and hands-on daily leadership delivered by Star Course’s founder, Nate Schwartzbauer.
Nate is a Green Beret veteran and acquisition entrepreneur who believes that smaller businesses are the backbone of the American economy. He is committed to stewarding one exceptional business into its next chapter with enduring values, purposeful leadership, and a long-term view. Learn more about Nate and Team.
How Does Selling Direct to Compare to Other Options?
Working with Star Course offers distinct advantages over selling to a competitor, strategic buyer, or private equity firm.
Selling directly to Star Course means no commissions, fewer delays, and a trusted relationship with a dedicated buyer who will personally lead your business forward.
By avoiding broker fees and complex deal teams, more of the purchase price stays with you. Our approach is a simpler, relationship-driven transition that protects your team, culture, and legacy while still delivering strong value.
Unlike strategic acquirers or private equity, you stay in control throughout the process, avoid mass outreach, and preserve what you've built. If alignment and long-term legacy matter, a direct sale to the right buyer may be your best path forward.
What Does a Direct Sale to Star Course Look Like?
A clear, straightforward process, from first conversation to close. Relationship-led and supported by trusted legal, financial, and diligence professionals.
Initial Fit (1-2 Weeks): Intro call or meeting to explore mutual fit and to discuss your company’s background and operations.
Information Sharing (1-6 Weeks): Mutual confidentiality agreement, company financials, follow-up Q&As, and a site visit.
Letter of Intent (LOI): Preliminary deal terms documented based on shared understanding. “An agreement to agree.”
Due Diligence (1-5 Months): Detailed review of the business, finalize deal terms. Timeline depends on business complexity and owner engagement.
Final Terms & Closing (1 Month): Confirm representations and assurances; sign final documents and transfer funds.
Transition & Legacy (Customized): : Introduce key stakeholders (team, customers, suppliers) to Nate and Star Course. Continued involvement or consultancy based on the purchase agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Your Business and the Star Course Process
Process & Preparation
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Not necessarily. While brokers and bankers play a role in some transactions, they are not always required. If you already have a committed buyer like Star Course at the table, you may not need to run a full go-to-market process. That can save you time, preserve confidentiality, and help you avoid a 6 to 10 percent commission.
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Typically 2-6 months with Star Course, depending on your goals, preferences, and business complexity.
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Basic financials are helpful, but they do not need to be perfect. Star Course does not require audited-level preparation. We meet you where you are and work alongside you and your advisors to make the process easier and less intimidating.
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We recommend that you have a business attorney experienced in company sales, a tax advisor, and a private wealth advisor. You do not need a full deal team, just the right professionals to support your decisions.
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Yes. We sign a mutual confidentiality agreement early, and everything is handled directly with total discretion.
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Yes. No auction, no intermediaries, no commission. One committed buyer, one clean process with strong, straightforward, and fair deal terms.
Buyer Fit & Star Course
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Larger buyers and private equity often offer strong prices, but those offers frequently come with strings attached. Post-sale commitments, conditional payouts, and short hold periods with pressure to grow fast at all costs for resale. Star Course differs with straightforward, fair value terms and buys to build for a stable, long-term future for your team and business.
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Local and Committed: We focus exclusively in the Carolinas and care deeply about the people and the region.
Dedicated Entrepreneur: You work directly with the future owner, not a rotating deal team. One committed buyer, forming an aligned buyer/seller team working together from start to finish through the transaction process.
Values-Driven: Founded by a former Green Beret with a track record of leadership, discipline, and mission focus.
Long-Term: Star Course does not “buy and sell” to flip multiple businesses. The model is to “buy and build” a single business for the long-term.
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No. Star Course is focused on acquiring and growing one great business, not flipping multiple companies. Star Course’s model is to buy and build a single business for the long haul.
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In addition to lead entrepreneur Nate, Star Course has a deep bench of advisors and investors who are aligned around stewarding your business with care and facilitating a smooth, professional, and tailored transaction as you begin your next chapter.
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Star Course is supported by institutional-grade financial backing and access to capital from accredited investors, funds, and trusted lending partners with the flexibility of a founder-led approach that simplifies the process.
Transition & Legacy
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No. Unlike private equity or larger strategic buyers, we don’t make your exit contingent on post-sale obligations or earn-outs tied to unrealistic growth targets.
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Yes. Continued involvement through a transition period or ongoing consulting is tailored to your preference and the nature of your business.
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Continuity is the priority. Your team and customers are part of what makes the business great, and we are committed to honoring those relationships. Stability is the goal, not disruption.
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Not unless you want it to. If your name and legacy are central to the brand, we aim to preserve them.
Process & Preparation
Do I need a broker or banker to sell my business?
Not necessarily. While brokers and bankers play a role in some transactions, they are not always required. If you already have a committed buyer like Star Course at the table, you may not need to run a full go-to-market process. That can save you time, preserve confidentiality, and help you avoid a 6 to 10 percent commission.
How long does selling my business take?
Typically 2–6 months with Star Course, depending on your goals, preferences, and business complexity.
I haven’t done anything to prepare my business for sale. Do I need to prepare detailed financials?
Basic financials are helpful, but they do not need to be perfect. Star Course does not require audited-level preparation. We meet you where you are and work alongside you and your advisors to make the process easier and less intimidating.
What advisors do I need to sell my business directly?
We recommend that you have a business attorney experienced in company sales, a tax advisor, and a private wealth advisor. You do not need a full deal team, just the right professionals to support your decisions.
Is the selling process with Star Course confidential?
Yes. We sign a mutual confidentiality agreement early, and everything is handled directly with total discretion.
Is a direct sale to Star Course simpler?
Yes. No auction, no intermediaries, no commission. One committed buyer, one clean process with strong, straightforward, and fair deal terms.
Buyer Fit & Star Course
My business is in demand. Should I sell my business to a large buyer or private equity?
Private equity often offers strong prices, but those offers frequently come with strings attached. Post-sale commitments, conditional payouts, and short hold periods with pressure to grow fast at all costs for resale. Star Course differs with straightforward, fair value terms and buys to build for a stable, long-term future for your team and business.
What makes Star Course different as a buyer?
Local and Committed: We focus exclusively in the Carolinas and care deeply about the people and the region.
Dedicated Entrepreneur: You work directly with the future owner, not a rotating deal team. One committed buyer, forming an aligned buyer/seller team working together from start to finish through the transaction process.
Values-Driven: Founded by a former Green Beret with a track record of leadership, discipline, and mission focus.
Long-Term: Star Course does not “buy and sell” to flip multiple businesses. The model is to “buy and build” a single business for the long-term.
Is Star Course buying multiple companies?
No. Star Course is focused on acquiring and growing one great business, not flipping multiple companies. Star Course’s model is to buy and build a single business for the long haul.
Who else is on Star Course’s team?
In addition to lead entrepreneur Nate, Star Course has a deep bench of advisors and investors who are aligned around stewarding your business with care and facilitating a smooth, professional, and tailored transaction as you begin your next chapter.
What kind of financial backing does Star Course have?
Star Course is supported by institutional-grade financial backing and access to capital from accredited investors, funds, and trusted lending partners with the flexibility of a founder-led approach that simplifies the process.
Transition & Legacy
Will I be required to stay on after I sell my business to Star Course?
No. Unlike private equity or larger strategic buyers, we don’t make your exit contingent on post-sale obligations or earn-outs tied to unrealistic growth targets.
Can I stay involved for a bit?
Yes. Continued involvement through a transition period or ongoing consulting is tailored to your preference and the nature of your business.
What happens to my team and customers after closing?
Continuity is the priority. Your team and customers are part of what makes the business great, and we are committed to honoring those relationships. Stability is the goal, not disruption.
Will my name or brand disappear?
Not unless you want it to. If your name and legacy are central to the brand, we aim to preserve them.