We Acquire and Operate Profitable Small Businesses in Western Canada

Direct buyer. Operator-led.
Focused on closing


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BUILT ON OPERATING EXPERIENCE

$500K–$2M EBITDA | Alberta and Western Canada | Service, industrial, and specialized small businesses

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Purchased, scaled & sold $250M+ of companies and assets

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Raised $40M+ in private equity & non-dilutive funding & grants

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Transaction & asset evaluation experience in multiple sectors

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20+ years  of operational leadership

WHAT WE DO

Acquire

We acquire profitable businesses with stable demand and clear operational upside

Transition

We structure practical ownership transitions, including full exits and staged handoffs.

Operate

We focus on execution, reporting, and cash flow discipline after closing.

Improve

We identify operational gaps and apply disciplined systems to build lasting value

What We Look For

We are focused, not broad. Clear criteria lead to better conversations and faster decisions.

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Geography

Alberta and Western Canada

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Size

$500k-$2M EBITDA

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Business Type

Industrial, specialized services, manufacturing, B2B

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Revenue Profile

Recurring or repeat customer base

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Team

Stable team not dependent on the owner

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Transitionable

Owner ready for exit, succession, or partial liquidity

Not a Fit

Startups, restaurants, speculative online businesses, or single-customer dependency

If your business fits these criteria, we encourage direct outreach. We aim to review opportunities quickly and provide clear feedback

Why Owners Choose Rustica

Selling a business is more than a financial decision. It is operational, personal, and often tied to years of work. We take that seriously.

Direct Operator Focus

You deal directly with an experienced operator, not an intermediary

Practical Deal Structures

Flexible structures aligned with real business conditions

Respect for Legacy

We prioritize continuity for employees and customers

Long-Term Mindset

Focus on operating, not flipping

Flexible Transaction Structures

Every business and every owner situation is different. We are open to deal structures that are fair, practical, and aligned with the realities of the business.

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Full Buyout

Complete ownership transition for a clean exit

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Partial Liquidity

Seller retains equity with some cash out

handoff to the operator

Transition Support

Defined handoff period for continuity

handoff deal tied to performance or ownership

Earnouts

Performance-based structure where appropriate

Operational Capability

Execution after closing is where value is created.


Rustica applies an operator’s approach to reporting, workflow discipline, and business performance. Where appropriate, additional support tools and systems can be introduced to improve efficiency.


DEAL APPROACH

Rustica Strategies is prepared to move quickly on qualified opportunities. We prioritize clear fit, efficient review, and practical deal structures to reduce friction for owners and brokers. Flexible deal structures including seller financing and staged transitions.

Rustica Strategies maintains relationships with private capital partners and family offices to support expedient deal execution. We are structured to move quickly on the right opportunity.


OUR PROCESS

We keep the process clear, efficient, and professional.

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1: Introductory conversation

Initial discussion to assess fit

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2: Initial review

High-level review of financials & operations

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3: NDA & deeper review

Non-Disclosure Agreement and deeper evaluation

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4: Indicative offer

LOI if the opportunity fits

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5: Diligence & transition

Validate assumptions and plan transition

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6: Close and handoff

Complete transaction and handoff

WHO WE ARE

Rustica Strategies is a Calgary-based acquisition company focused on buying and operating profitable small businesses in Western Canada. We structure practical transactions with owners, brokers, and trusted intermediaries that support continuity, stability, and long-term value creation.

Rustica is led by Jason Dagenais, an operator with experience in business building, capital raising, asset evaluation, transaction diligence, and operational improvement. Our approach is straightforward: acquire good businesses, transition them responsibly, and improve them through disciplined execution.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some common questions from retiring owners and business brokers considering a transition with Rustica Strategies. We aim to provide clarity and confidence as you navigate this important decision.

  • How is Rustica Strategies different from a private equity firm or a competitor buying my business?

    Unlike traditional private equity firms that buy companies to strip costs and flip them in 3-5 years, we are operators. We buy businesses to run them, grow them, and hold them for the long term. Unlike a strategic competitor, we aren’t looking to absorb your customer list and fire your staff; we want to preserve your legacy and build upon the foundation you’ve created.

  • Will you fire my employees after the sale?

    No. We specifically look for businesses with stable, capable teams. Our goal is to step into the owner’s shoes, not to replace the workforce that makes the business successful. We rely on your team’s institutional knowledge to ensure a smooth transition and continued growth.

  • How long does the acquisition process take?

    While every transaction is unique, a typical process takes 60 to 90 days from the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to closing. This allows enough time for us to complete thorough but efficient due diligence, secure financing, and build a comprehensive transition plan with you.

  • Do I have to stay on after the sale?

    We are flexible and structure the transition based on your goals. If you want a clean break to start your retirement immediately, we can structure a short 3-to-6-month handover period. If you prefer to stay involved part-time or retain a minority equity stake, we are open to structuring a longer-term partnership.

  • How do you value a business?

    We look at the fundamental health of the business, primarily focusing on historical cash flow (EBITDA or Seller’s Discretionary Earnings), the stability of the customer base, and the strength of the team. We aim to offer a fair, market-based valuation that reflects the real-world operational realities of the business.

Confidentiality and Brand Integrity

We understand that rumors of a sale can disrupt your team, worry your customers, and alert your competitors. We sign a strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before looking at any detailed financials, and we conduct our diligence discreetly to protect your business operations. In most cases, especially for businesses with strong local reputations, we maintain the existing company name and brand identity.

Case Study: Preserving Legacy and Scaling Operations in Western Canada

Case Study:

Preserving Legacy and Scaling Operations in Western Canada


Company Profile: Anonymized Industrial Services Provider


Location: Western Canada


Revenue: $4.2M


EBITDA at Acquisition: $850K


The Situation

The founder of a successful, 25-year-old industrial services company in Alberta was ready to retire. He had built a strong reputation, a loyal customer base, and a capable team of 15 employees. However, the business was highly dependent on him for quoting complex jobs and managing key client relationships. He had received offers from strategic competitors, but he rejected them because they planned to absorb his customer list, close his facility, and lay off his administrative staff. He wanted a buyer

who would protect his legacy and his people.

The Process & Diligence

Rustica Strategies was introduced to the founder through a trusted intermediary. From the first meeting, the focus was on operational continuity rather than financial engineering.


The Diligence Phase:

Speed and Discretion: We signed an NDA immediately and conducted our initial review off-site to prevent rumors from circulating among the staff.


Operational Focus:

While financial diligence confirmed the $850K EBITDA, our operational diligence focused on the “Owner Trap.” We mapped out exactly how many hours a week the founder spent quoting jobs and acting as the primary point of contact for the top three clients.The Deal Structure: We structured a deal that provided the founder with 80% cash at close for immediate liquidity, and a 20% Vendor Take-Back (seller financing) note paid over three years. This aligned our incentives and proved to the bank that the founder believed in the company’s future.


The Transition:

The transition was structured over a 6-month period to ensure a seamless handoff. Months 1-2 (Observation): Rustica leadership shadowed the founder daily. We did not change any processes; we simply learned how the business actually ran on the ground. Months 3-4 (Systematization): We implemented a modern CRM and quoting software. We worked with the founder to extract his pricing logic from his head and build it into a standardized quoting matrix.


Months 5-6 (Handoff):

The founder stepped back to a 2-day-a-week advisory role. Rustica leadership took over daily operations, and the newly empowered sales team began quoting jobs using the new matrix.


Team and Culture

Our primary goal was to ensure the team felt secure. On day one, we held a town hall meeting to assure the staff that there would be no layoffs and that their benefits would remain intact. Instead of bringing in outside management to replace the founder, we promoted the existing Operations Manager to General Manager. We gave her the authority and the budget she had been asking for over the last five years but had never received. By trusting the existing team and removing the operational bottlenecks that the founder had inadvertently created, morale improved significantly.


Results After 2 Years

By applying disciplined operational systems and empowering the existing team, the business achieved significant growth without losing its core identity.Revenue Growth: Increased from $4.2M to $6.1M (45% growth). EBITDA Growth: Increased from $850K to $1.3M (52% growth).


Owner Independence:

The business now runs entirely without the original founder. The quoting process is fully systematized, and no single client accounts for more than 15% of total revenue. Legacy Preserved: The company still operates under its original name, in its original facility, with 100% retention of the core staff that was present at the time of acquisition. The founder successfully retired, receiving his full Vendor Take-Back payouts on schedule

WE ARE ACTIVELY REVIEWING ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES


Own or represent a business that may fit?

Reach out directly or use the form below. All discussions are strictly confidential. If your business fits these criteria, we encourage direct outreach.


We welcome direct submissions from business owners and brokers and respond quickly to qualified opportunities