A long-term successor for one great American business
Cantler Hill is looking to acquire and operate one great business
About me
My name is Max Sterling. I am an entrepreneur looking for a company to buy and run.
Over the past decade, I have worked as a manager and leader across a variety of professional settings. This includes advising Fortune 100 leadership teams at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) on strategy and operational improvement, and most recently leading the finance and operations teams at an international B2B technology business.
I am originally from Virginia and grew up in an entrepreneurial household, where I saw early on both the pride and the responsibility that come with building and running a company. That background shaped how I work and lead, and it taught me to value resourcefulness, dedication, and integrity. Throughout my career, these values have helped me earn the trust and confidence of colleagues, teams, and investors.
I hold an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and a BA from Northwestern University.
My guiding values
I set up Cantler Hill to buy and run one great business for the long term. My approach is different from private equity or competitors. I am focused on continuity, stewardship, and running the business well year after year rather than short-term outcomes.
I intend to respect what you have built, including the way the business is run, the standards you hold, and the reputation you have earned over time. Any changes I make would be gradual and practical, with the aim of keeping the business strong and reliable for the long term.
Put People First
My priority is to serve the people at the heart of the company, and I will strive to foster a safe, positive environment that enables growth and well-being.
Respect Legacy
I respect the work, commitment, and care you have put into building this business over many years. I will preserve the culture and values behind that success and protect what makes the business special.
Lead with Integrity
I aim to act with care and humility in everything I do. I know trust is built over time through consistency, discipline, and following through on commitments, especially when decisions are difficult.
Think Long-Term
I am focused on building for the long term, not chasing short-term gains. My goal is to keep the business well-positioned for years to come.
What I am looking for
Size
- ✓Revenue: $2M to $20M
- ✓Annual profits: $0.5M to $2M
- ✓Employees: 5 to 100
Business
- ✓Stable, mission-critical product or service
- ✓Loyal, recurring customer base
- ✓Opportunity to invest in growth
Situation
- ✓Founder planning a thoughtful succession
- ✓Strong team that benefits from continuity
- ✓Desire to protect culture and legacy
Process
Introduction
Before anything else, I'd like to get to know you, understand your story, what motivated you to build this business and what you plans are moving forward. This is also a time for you to get to know me and decide if I am the right fit to care for your company and employees.
Initial Review and LOI (2-3 weeks)
If there is mutual interest, I will take a few weeks to learn more about your business with the goal of providing a non-binding letter of intent and a framework to move forward.
Due Diligence (8-10 weeks)
Once we have mutually agreed upon a letter of intent, we will work together to build a growth and transition plan that is compatible with your personal, financial, and professional goals.
Closing (4-6 weeks)
In the last phase, we will finalize legal documentation, financing sources, and deal terms. Once the transaction has closed, we will work together to ensure a seamless transition of ownership to continue the work of building the business for the long term.
Comparing exit options
 |
Private equity | Competitors | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your legacy | Your business is my only focus and I work to protect and carry forward your legacy. | Your company becomes one of several portfolio companies with heavy oversight and limited hands-on support. | Your business is absorbed into a rival and your legacy can disappear. |
| Goals and time horizon | My goal is to balance growth with the people who make your business great and to build sustainably for the long term. | The focus is short-term financial returns, often prioritizing efficiency regardless of impact on employees. | The focus is financial impact and synergies, often reducing costs through consolidation of roles, brands, and operations. |
| Deal terms | Deal terms are flexible and shaped around your goals so we can structure a transition that reflects your priorities. | Deal structures are typically rigid and driven by fund economics and control requirements. | Upfront cash is common, but integration risk can undermine value and complicate the transition for you and your team. |
| Employee impact | I plan to keep your team intact and invest in the people who make the business great. | Layoffs and cost cutting can be common, and culture often suffers as efficiency becomes the priority. | Redundancies are common and morale can decline as familiar faces and culture disappear. |
Start the conversation.
If you are considering stepping back, or just exploring options, I'd love to speak with you.
All conversations will remain confidential and handled with discretion.