TOM
CUBIT
ABOUT
I am a career operator with 25+ years of professional experience, including 23 years at IBM where I managed global portfolios, led teams of up to 100 people, and delivered complex programs end to end — on time, on budget, and at scale. I hold an MBA from Northern Illinois University and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
I am now actively seeking to acquire a services-based business in the Chicagoland area where I can apply two decades of operational leadership, financial management, and team development to support long-term, sustainable growth.
My goal is to carry the business forward with the same care the owner put into building it — preserving what works, supporting the team that’s already in place, and bringing disciplined, hands-on leadership to its next chapter. I am not a flipper or an absentee owner. I intend to be present, engaged, and personally invested in the long-term success of the business and the people in it.
I am actively seeking introductions to business owners, brokers, and community members who may know of established companies with strong foundations and good reputations looking for a committed new owner.
FINANCING READINESS
- $100,000+ cash
- 800+ personal credit score
- SBA pre-qualified through Huntington Bank
- Open to seller financing as part of deal structure
ACQUISITION DEAL BOX
- SDE: $350,000-$500,000+
- Business Type: Services-based, established 10+ years
- Location: Chicagoland area, within approximately one hour of Mount Prospect
- Team: Preference for business with tenured team in place
- Target Close: Q4 2026
INDUSTRY PREFERENCES
Focused on essential, recession-resistant services businesses with recurring or repeat revenue. B2B preferred but open to B2C with strong recurring revenue. Of particular interest:
- Fire/Water Restoration | Fire Safety Services
- Plumbing | HVAC | Electrical | Pest Control Services
- Elevator Inspection & Repair | Safety & Compliance Services
- Senior Home Care Services | Death Care Services
- Medical/Dental or Food Service Equipment Repair Services
- Septic & Drain Services | Environmental/Waste Management
- Mobile Vehicle or Hose Repair | Vehicle Equipment Services
- Property Management | Commercial Equipment Rental
- Commercial Cleaning | Janitorial | Laundry Services
WHY I AM READY TO OWN & OPERATE
I have spent 25+ years running large, complex operations where people, budgets, deadlines, and relationships all had to work together. The details were in technology, but the work was fundamentally like running a business: managing teams, controlling costs, keeping customers and stakeholders satisfied, and consistently delivering results.
Here is what that looks like in practice:
- I have managed teams of up to 100 people across multiple locations, balancing workloads, developing talent, and holding people accountable — while keeping morale and performance high
- I have managed a $5M annual operating budget with full accountability for financial performance, cost control, and return on investment
- I have delivered on time, every time — 100% on-schedule delivery over five consecutive years across a complex landscape of business systems
- I have cut costs without cutting corners saving over $500,000 across multiple projects by finding smarter, more modern ways to get work done without compromising standards
These are the same capabilities — team leadership, process improvement, financial management, stakeholder communication, and operational discipline — that drive performance in a well-run services business.
I have spent the past year preparing specifically for this acquisition, including completing a business acquisition course and studying the acquisition process in depth.
LET'S TALK
If you are a business owner considering a transition, a broker with a deal that fits these criteria, or someone in the community who knows of a company that might be a fit — I welcome a confidential conversation.
Tom Cubit