WETYR plays two roles that can conflict. We are an M&A advisor (we represent owners selling, buyers buying) AND a direct operator-buyer (we acquire businesses directly). When the two roles intersect — for example, when a seller's mandate fits WETYR's own acquisition criteria — we disclose the conflict and let the seller choose the engagement path with full information.
What WETYR Is
- An M&A advisor — sell-side, buy-side, exit planning, rollup strategy. Compensated by retainer + success fee.
- A direct operator-buyer — we acquire businesses directly across 72 AI-resistant niches. Compensated by the post-close cash flow of the businesses we own.
- A consultancy — branding, marketing, AI automation, cybersecurity, executive recruiting, business funding. Compensated by retainer.
- A referral hub — when WETYR is not the right firm for a transaction, we refer to specialist partners and (where legally permitted) receive a referral fee.
What WETYR Is Not
- NOT a licensed business broker
- NOT a FINRA-registered broker-dealer
- NOT an SEC-registered investment adviser
- NOT a law firm or legal counsel
- NOT a CPA firm
- NOT a public company
Where Conflicts Can Exist
The advisor/operator-buyer overlap. When a sell-side mandate fits WETYR's own acquisition criteria, WETYR has an incentive to acquire the business directly (no commission, faster close) rather than run a structured competitive process. We disclose this on the qualifying call and let the seller choose. Sellers who want maximum gross consideration are routed to a structured sell-side process; sellers who want certainty and speed are routed to the direct acquisition path; sellers can choose to run both in parallel until one structurally dominates.
Partner referral fees. Where legally permitted, WETYR receives referral fees from specialist partners (CPA practice brokers, healthcare M&A firms, etc.) when we refer transactions outside our specialty. The referral fee does not affect WETYR's selection of which partner to recommend — we recommend the firm we believe is the best fit for the specific transaction.
The Partner Program. WETYR pays referral fees to Centers of Influence (attorneys, CPAs, wealth advisors, business coaches, etc.) for referred sellers. The fee structure is public on the Partner Program page. Three compliance modes are available (standard fee / charity-direct / reciprocal-only) to accommodate professional regulatory constraints.
Compensation Sources
- Sell-side advisory retainers + success fees (Modified Lehman or flat 4-6% on $2M-$50M deals)
- Buy-side advisory retainers + success fees
- Consulting retainers (monthly or project-based)
- Operating cash flow from acquired businesses
- Specialist partner referral fees (where legally permitted)
- Partner Program inbound referral fees (when WETYR pays a COI for a referred client)
Data & Privacy
Form submissions are processed through the WETYR Cloudflare Worker and delivered to internal inboxes via Resend. We do not sell email lists, share submitted data with third parties (except as required for transaction execution under mutual NDA), or use submitted data for unrelated marketing. See the privacy policy for full data handling.
Independence
WETYR is independently owned and operated. We are not a subsidiary of, or in an exclusive partnership with, any acquirer, lender, brokerage network, or consultancy. Referrals to specialist partners and lenders are based on transaction fit, not contractual obligation.
Questions On Disclosures?
Authoritative Sources & Further Reading
WETYR works alongside primary sources, regulators, and industry data providers when advising owners and operators. The references below are the same sources our advisory team uses when modeling deals, benchmarking multiples, and stress-testing assumptions. We encourage every owner, buyer, and operator to verify any data point that materially affects their decision against the underlying primary source.
Primary Federal Sources
- U.S. SBA — 7(a) Loan Program for acquisition financing eligibility, terms, and lender list.
- SEC EDGAR for public-company comparables, 10-K disclosures, and recent strategic acquirer filings.
- IRS — Sale of a Business on Section 1060 asset-allocation reporting and tax treatment of asset vs stock sales.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Industries at a Glance for wage, employment, and growth data by NAICS code.
- U.S. Census Economic Census for industry size, firm counts, and revenue distributions.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data for prevailing rate environment underwriting.
Standards & Reference Bodies
- AICPA for Quality of Earnings methodology and CPA standards governing transaction-related financial work.
- FINRA Rules and Guidance for understanding when a transaction crosses into broker-dealer territory.
- NACVA business valuation credentialing body and standards (CVA designation).
- USPAP — Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice for valuation engagement standards.
- Investopedia — EBITDA reference page for definitional alignment with our glossary.
- Harvard Business Review — Mergers and Acquisitions archive on integration and post-close value creation.
For deeper transaction-specific data, the GF Data and PitchBook private-company transaction databases publish quarterly multiple ranges by industry size band that we cross-reference against our own pipeline benchmarks. Owners considering a sale should also review the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Report (free, annual) for current cost-of-capital and lender appetite data across the lower middle market. Buyers underwriting search-fund or holdco theses commonly pair Stanford GSB's Search Fund Study with the IBBA Market Pulse report, which tracks multiples for sub-$50M transactions quarterly. None of these sources replace deal-specific advisory, but they give owners and operators the same reference points professional acquirers are using on the other side of the table.
Related WETYR Resources
Every WETYR resource ladders into a structured engagement framework. Whether you are diagnosing readiness, modeling a number, or preparing for a specific transaction phase, the resources below cover the most common owner and operator workflows. All tools are free; all guides are operator-written; all engagements start with a confidential conversation.
Engagement Pillars
Decision Tools
Operator-Written
Glossary & FAQ
Checklists & Templates
Niche Coverage
If you are not sure where to start, the Exit Readiness Score takes about four minutes and produces a one-page diagnostic on the value drivers most likely to compress your multiple. From there the natural next step is either a long-form guide covering your specific situation, a focused glossary term lookup, or a confidential introductory call with our team to discuss whether WETYR's advisory or operator-buyer engagement is a fit. Our team responds to every inbound inquiry within one business day.