Deal Story: The Long Haul

For Tom and Debbie Olson, Olson Carriers wasn’t just a business, it was a legacy decades in the making. With a rock-solid customer base, their own facility, and a carefully maintained fleet, the company was the kind of operation that was built to last.

But, like every journey, theirs eventually needed to come to an end.

As they began to plan for retirement, Tom and Debbie knew they wanted to find the right buyer for their business, someone who could carry it forward with the same care and commitment they had. When they reached out to Calhoun Companies, they made that goal clear, telling their agents Chris Lappen and Duane Johnson to find an active owner-operator, and sell both the business and the property for a premium.

It didn’t happen overnight.

“Businesses are often priced for either a premium sale or a quick sale,” explains Lappen. “The higher the price of the business, the more time it usually takes for it to sell. It can take even longer if you’re looking for a certain type of buyer. The key is knowing what your goal is and being realistic about your expectations.”

Since Tom and Debbie had specific requirements for a buyer, the deal naturally took longer than average to come together. In fact, the sellers entertained more than six offers before finding the right fit for their business. 

That turned out to be two business partners from Iowa, one of whom would take on day-to-day operations. They were already in the trucking business, already scaling, and ready to take the leap. 

With a final purchase price of $14.9 million, this was no small transaction. It took careful negotiation and coordination between brokers, attorneys, and lenders to seal the deal. But with patience and guidance, both parties walked away as winners. The Olsons got exactly what they were looking for, the right buyer, the right price, and the opportunity enjoy the retirement they earned. Meanwhile the buyers got a strong business with long-term customers to help grow their trucking empire.

Some deals take time. But, in the world of business brokerage, the long haul is often worth it.