#United States #Green Bay #Cornerstone Business Services #Scott Bushkie #Assurance 360

Cornerstone Business Services Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence

Cornerstone Business Services, an investment banking firm catering to the lower middle market, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded by Scott Bushkie in 2001, the firm has made significant strides in assisting business owners in successfully navigating company sales. In a market where statistics reveal that only 20% to 30% of businesses successfully close, Cornerstone has emerged as a beacon of hope for many entrepreneurs seeking to exit their ventures on a positive note.

Scott Bushkie's motivation to start Cornerstone stemmed from witnessing the frustration and financial loss experienced by many business owners during failed transactions. He noticed that firms often took on too many clients or provided misleading information, leading to low closing ratios and broken expectations. In his words, "There had to be a better way." This realization sparked a commitment to offer a more profound level of service focused on quality rather than quantity.

From its inception, Cornerstone prioritized delivering a tailored investment-banking experience to a select group of family-owned businesses. Bushkie emphasized that the firm's aim was not merely to close transactions but also to ensure that business owners achieved their exit goals with peace of mind. Over the past 25 years, this philosophy has allowed Cornerstone to establish a robust reputation and significantly grow its clientele.

Today, Cornerstone Business Services focuses on companies with annual revenues ranging from $5 million to $250 million, providing expert services in sell-side advisory, valuation, and acquisition support. Their commitment to quality service has been evident in their remarkable achievement of maintaining an 85% closing ratio through their proprietary Assurance 360™ process.

In addition to their core services, Cornerstone has broadened its reach through several initiatives:

• - Cornerstone International Alliance: This global network of M&A firms fosters collaboration and enhances buyer engagement, expanding their capacity to match sellers with qualified buyers worldwide.
• - CAPex Program: Aimed at empowering financial advisors, CPAs, and exit planners, this program offers support to professionals assisting business owners, further solidifying Cornerstone’s role as a leader in the advisory field.
• - DealCoach: This innovative platform provides valuation insights to help small businesses understand their market position better and make informed decisions.

Looking ahead to the future, Bushkie remains dedicated to the principles that have guided Cornerstone since 2001. He believes in the gravity of their work, recognizing that for most business owners, the sale of their company is the largest financial transaction of their lives. Bushkie stated, "What we're really helping create is the ability to move forward, with the time and financial security to choose what comes next."

As Cornerstone Business Services commemorates this significant milestone, it continues to position itself at the forefront of the investment banking industry, unwavering in its commitment to enhancing the financial future of business owners. With a blend of compassionate guidance and profound expertise, Cornerstone stands ready to assist its clients in executing successful transitions in the years to come, thereby helping them write the next chapter of their business journey.

About Cornerstone Business Services

Headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Cornerstone provides a range of advisory services to business owners worldwide, including sell-side advisory, acquisitions, and Real Market Analysis valuations, thereby fostering significant financial transactions that resonate with both integrity and expertise. Notably, their ongoing research endeavors, including the 2025 National Study on Selling Your Business, aim to provide further insights into the readiness of business owners and strategies for successful exits.