We offer a personalized, boutique experience as opposed to the impersonal approach often found at larger, high-transaction firms. Unlike these bigger entities, where your deal might be handed off to junior staff or analysts, our seasoned professionals are intimately involved with every aspect of your business transition.
Our focus is on delivering quality over quantity, ensuring that each business receives undivided attention and a tailored strategy. We believe in fostering enduring relationships and providing a level of service that is as unique and distinctive as your business. Your success, satisfaction, and the individualized handling of your transaction are our utmost priorities.
Does this sound like you?
A Rapidly
Changing World
Business is not the same anymore. It’s proving more difficult to find good employees and marketing techniques that have worked in the past are less effective. Increases in costs due to inflation and global financial uncertainty keep you awake at night, wondering if your business is going to survive.
This may be an indication that it is time to consider an exit strategy.
Decades of
Dedication
You’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into your business. Day in and day out, you’ve turned every challenge into an opportunity.
Today, your business stands as a testament to that relentless drive, with revenue surpassing the $5M mark.
Ready for the
Next Chapter
After years of dedication, you’re considering a change. Perhaps it’s time to reap the fruits of your labor and sell. Maybe you’re looking at a well-earned retirement, or a new venture awaits on the horizon.
You’re at a pivotal crossroad, ready to make a significant decision.
Time To Diversify
Your Wealth
While your entrepreneurial journey has been rewarding, it’s also been all-consuming.
Your financial investments are deeply intertwined with your business, and you recognize the importance of diversifying and securing the future for yourself and your family.
Experience
and Wisdom
You’ve seen the ups and downs of the business world. You bring a wealth of experience to the table and understand the intricacies of your industry.
With every success and setback, you’ve grown wiser and more resilient. You know the industry boom bust cycles and are ready to get off the roller coaster.
The Leadership Team
Jim Bennett
Chairman
Jim Bennett
Chairman
Chairman
Jim exited his original business, NOWCFO, but founded an investment bank a number of years ago, NOWEXIT. Our mission at NOWEXIT is to ensure every business owner is protected in the selling process, paid the maximum price for their business with the best overall outcome when they exit.
Jim began his career at Deloitte after receiving a degree in Accounting from Utah State University. Jim is truly a farm guy at heart but has a striking passion for the world of business. Jim and his wife Gay have been married nearly forever and they are the parents of 5 children and 5 grandsons. Jim enjoys Ford pick-ups, fly fishing, some golf and daily trips to fast food.
ELEVATOR PITCH
Best investment banking experience. No drama. Our competitive and complete investment banking process, led by an experienced team of operators turned investment bankers, maximizes returns with the best outcomes for business owners. Our passion is to protect founders/operators and families in this one time event.
CLIENT PROFILE / DEMOGRAPHIC
The perfect client is a profitable company with revenue of $5M to $100M. Our excellent team of investment bankers will ensure every business is sold for the maximum price and best result for the business owner, at time of exit.
Andrew Melendrez
Partner
Andrew Melendrez
Partner
Partner
Meet Andrew Melendrez, a proud New Mexico native with a passion for learning and community. From his early days studying Engineering Physics at the Colorado School of Mines to hands-on work with Coors Brewing Company, Andrew has always been driven by curiosity and dedication.
It was this spirit that led him to establish Quality Sleep Solutions in 2005, a venture that he grew to 23 locations across 4 states. By 2021, his journey in the world of mergers and acquisitions was solidified with a professional certification, and now he’s a guiding force as a Partner at NOW Capital Partners.
Adam Dyer
Partner
Adam Dyer
Partner
Partner
Adam Dyer is a seasoned finance professional that brings extensive experience in investment banking and financial consulting to Now Exit. He excels at leading deal execution and strategic positioning for M&A and Growth Equity transactions. His expertise includes developing financial models, creating marketing materials, conducting buyer outreach and negotiations, and providing support in buy-side and sell-side due diligence. Adam consistently delivers exceptional results, including increased exit valuations for clients and favorable purchase prices for strategic buyers.
Before joining Now Exit, Adam worked at Prager & Company, a distinguished boutique investment bank specializing in Higher Education coverage. During his tenure, he successfully completed over $2.5 billion in debt capital markets and private placement transactions, supporting higher education clients with financial advisory services, credit rating agency presentations, and debt capacity/credit analysis. Prior to Prager & Company, Adam gained valuable experience at BDO, where he worked as a consultant specializing in nonprofits, foundations, healthcare, and municipalities.
Brittany Leonard
Vice President of Operations
Brittany Leonard
Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Operations
Brittany Leonard is a seasoned sales and operations leader with a proven track record in building and scaling high-performance teams across diverse industries. She has specialized in implementing CRM systems that optimize operations and elevate client satisfaction. Currently at Now Exit, Brittany oversees the Roadmap To Exit program, where she focuses on driving growth and scalability among her clients through improved systems, processes, and strategic hiring to drive revenue growth and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Her strategic acumen and hands-on leadership style have been instrumental in navigating complex challenges and fostering a culture of client delight.
Prior to her role at Now Exit, Brittany played a pivotal role at LoanPro, where she spearheaded the establishment and growth of the sales organization, achieving significant milestones in revenue and team expansion. Beyond her professional endeavors, Brittany enjoys Wim Hoff, Broadway shows, culinary adventures, and organizing events, which contribute to her well-rounded perspective and creative problem-solving skills.
Connect with Brittany to explore how her expertise can drive meaningful growth for your organization.
Jason Wilson
Market President
Jason Wilson
Market President
Market President
Jason Wilson brings over 19 years of experience in the trailer and truck upfitting industry, including 7 years in wholesale distribution. Over the past 4 years with Now Exit, he has played a key role in driving growth and operational excellence. As Market President, Jason leverages his deep industry knowledge and leadership experience to expand market presence and deliver value to customers and partners.
TJ Scarborough
Director of Strategic Partnerships and M&A
TJ Scarborough
Director of Strategic Partnerships and M&A
Director of Strategic Partnerships and M&A
TJ Scarborough is a seasoned sales professional and the Director of Strategic Partnerships and M&A at Now Exit, where she helps business owners prepare for growth or successful exits. In her role, TJ focuses on building meaningful relationships, identifying strategic opportunities, and guiding clients through the often-complex process of selling or scaling their businesses. Her passion lies in truly understanding her client’s goals and delivering solutions that align with long-term success.
Before joining Now Exit, TJ spent 17 years at NOW CFO, where she developed deep expertise in financial strategy, business operations, and strategic client engagement. Her time at NOW CFO gave her a strong foundation in financial consulting and executive-level advising, which enhances her ability to navigate deals and support business owners with confidence and clarity. TJ’s career is defined by her ability to connect, solve problems, and drive growth — all while keeping the client’s best interest at the center of every conversation
Brian Harrell
Market President
Brian Harrell
Market President
Market President
With over two decades of experience spanning banking and commodity trading, Brian Harrell has built a career navigating complex and often volatile markets—from distressed assets to sophisticated hedging strategies in cotton derivatives. Based in Tennessee, he has cultivated an extensive network across finance and logistics, positioning himself at the intersection of capital markets and supply chain dynamics. Known for his strategic insight and relationship-driven approach, Brian currently serves as Market President at NOW Capital Partners, where he focuses on driving growth, strengthening client partnerships, and identifying opportunities in evolving financial landscapes.
Drew Partridge
Market President
Drew Partridge
Market President
Market President
Drew brings over 20 years of experience as an Independent Insurance Agency Owner and Financial Investment Specialist to Now Exit. He also hosted “The Wealth Builders Show” on News Talk 1110 WBT in Charlotte, NC for over 7 years, focusing on safe retirement strategies. As a former business owner, Drew excels in developing relationships with both existing and new clients at Now Exit. He believes in the adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Drew graduated with honors from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with a double major in Business Administration and Communications. He was also a 4-year starter on the college football team. Currently residing in Mooresville, NC with his wife Tammy and their son Bridger, Drew enjoys running, hiking, biking, and spending time with friends and family on Lake Norman.
Ray Carpenter
Market President
Ray Carpenter
Market President
Market President
Mr. Carpenter is a Market President and senior calling officer for Now Exit, LLC, based in Dallas, Texas. His coverage responsibilities include Industrial and electronics businesses located in the Midwest and Southwest regions of the U.S. Prior, Mr. Carpenter was the Founder and Managing Member of Gulf & Pacific Group, LLC (“GPG”), an investment, and merchant banking firm that provided strategic advisory services to electronics and industrial companies through GPG and principally invested the firm’s capital alongside clients through an affiliate business, GPG Capital Partners, LLC.
Prior to GPG he was a Director in the Investment Banking Group of Southwest Securities, Inc. (Plains Capital Bank), the largest full service regional investment bank in the Southwest, where he focused on advising clients in the electronics supply chain. During his 30-plus year career, Mr. Carpenter has advised on numerous transactions in the engineering, industrial and electronics industries. His experience includes sell-side and buy-side mergers & acquisitions advisory services representing more than $16.0 billion in transaction value and raising more than $2.5 billion of both private and public institutional debt and equity capital for clients. In addition, he has advised Special Committees of Boards of Directors on the assessment of strategic alternatives, takeover defense, and fairness opinions.
Mr. Carpenter spent five years as a highly ranked Associate and Senior Equity Analyst in charge of covering the electronics supply chain for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities (“DLJ”), a full-service investment, and merchant bank that subsequently was acquired by Credit Suisse First Boston LLC. While at DLJ, the electronics research franchise enjoyed the number one ranking by Institutional Investor Magazine five consecutive years and Mr. Carpenter was an Institutional Investor “All American” vote recipient in both the electronics component and distribution industries as well as the electronics manufacturing services (“EMS”) and printed circuit board (“PCB”) industries.
Mr. Carpenter has been cited in several business, financial and industry publications, including The Wall Street Journal, SMT Magazine, EMSNow, CircuiTree, PCB Magazine and The Deal.com and has made appearances on CNBC and Bloomberg television to discuss industry trends and company specific investment issues. VentureOutsource.com named him as one of “The Top 100 People Influencing the EMS Industry” (# 37). Mr. Carpenter graduated from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business with a degree in Finance.
Nicole Lalji
Market President
Nicole Lalji
Market President
Market President
Nicole is the Market President for Florida at Now Exit. Before joining Now Exit, she was a Senior Consultant at Grant Thornton, specializing in Transaction Advisory Services. In this role, she led buy- and sell-side engagements, focusing on Quality of Earnings and Working Capital analysis across industries such as building materials, equipment, sales consulting, retail/grocery, and healthcare.
Prior to Grant Thornton, Nicole worked as a Management Consultant at Robert Half, assisting clients with M&A needs, including sell-side due diligence, M&A integrations, and Transition Services Agreements. She also held senior accounting and FP&A roles at Fortune 500 companies in the transportation, grocery/retail, and telecommunications sectors.
Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida and an MBA from Florida Atlantic University.
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