About Acquisition Criteria Process Contact
Small Business Acquisition

For businesses meant
to stay independent.

Ocotillo Ventures acquires and operates small businesses long term, preserving their legacy while investing in their future.

Start a Conversation Acquisition Criteria
About

One buyer.
A long-term commitment.

Ocotillo Ventures is an acquisition firm led by a single owner-operator. I'm the decision-maker, the person you'll negotiate with, and the operator who takes over after closing. That continuity allows for a straightforward process and a long-term commitment to the business, its employees, and its customers.

The name comes from the ocotillo plant, a desert native that survives drought, looks dormant for months, and then blooms fast when conditions are right. That is the operating philosophy here: patient, resilient, and built for the long run.

You don't need to be ready to sell to start the conversation. Many of the best transitions begin months, or even years, before a transaction takes place. I'd love to learn about your business and share my approach to long-term ownership.

Christian Baca
Christian Baca
Principal

A decade of engineering, strategic, and operational leadership across private and public sector organizations. Christian has spent her career helping teams improve performance, streamline operations, and serve their customers better.


She founded Ocotillo Ventures to serve as a steward of exceptional small businesses. She is now searching full time with the goal of closing an acquisition within 3 to 6 months and becoming an owner-operator. Her approach: preserve what works, strengthen where needed, grow steadily over time.

Acquisition Criteria

What makes a great fit.

01
Financial Targets
  • Revenue: $1M to $5M annually
  • EBITDA: $300K to $1M
  • Profitable for 5 or more consecutive years
02
Business Characteristics
  • Recurring revenue or repeat customer base
  • Recession-resistant demand
  • Low to moderate working capital needs
  • Owner willing to support a transition
03
What I Offer Sellers
  • Direct access, no intermediary required
  • Confidential process from first conversation
  • Fair offer based on real financials
  • 60 to 90 day due diligence, no surprises
  • Long-term care for your employees and customers
Preferred Industries

Areas of focus.

Specialty Home Services
Essential home service businesses with strong local reputations and recurring demand
Senior-Focused Services
Healthcare and service businesses that improve quality of life for older adults
Government Services
Businesses that support public agencies through maintenance, compliance, testing, and specialized services
Niche B2B Services
Data destruction and document shredding, commercial printing, specialty logistics

These are areas of focus, not hard limits. If your business falls outside these categories but fits the financial profile, reach out anyway.

How It Works

A straightforward process.

1
Introduction & Discovery

An initial, confidential conversation to share basic information and establish whether there is mutual fit. No commitment required on either side.

2
Indication of Interest (IOI)

A non-binding, early-stage step to align on price expectations before. Ensuring fit from the start.

3
Letter of Intent (LOI) & Negotiation

A fair, competitive offer built on what the financials actually support. Terms are clear and fully transparent.

4
Due Diligence

Legal, financial, and operational review conducted during the 60 to 90 days following a signed LOI.

5
Closing & Transition

The transaction closes and we work together on a thoughtful handoff. Continuity for employees, customers, and operations is the priority.

Ready to Close

Prepared for the right opportunity.

The work of building relationships and infrastructure happens long before a deal is on the table. Those foundations are in place.

SBA Prequalified

Established acquisition lending relationships are in place, enabling a faster path from signed LOI to funded close.

Experienced Advisors

Legal, financial, and insurance diligence specialists are engaged and ready — reducing delays during due diligence.

Flexible Structures

Whether a traditional acquisition, joining the business ahead of purchase, or a gradual handoff — the structure can fit how you want to transition.

Every owner's path is different. The best transitions are built through flexibility, preparation, and a shared commitment to the long-term health of the business.

After the Transaction

What comes next.

Operational Excellence

Processes get reviewed, tightened, and where needed, rebuilt. The goal is efficiency and consistency without sacrificing the quality your customers already expect.

Strategic Growth

New market opportunities and adjacent service lines get evaluated deliberately. Growth needs to make sense for the business and the team, not just the numbers.

Talent Development

Existing teams are an asset. The focus is to support their success, invest in their development, and create opportunities for growth.

Technology Adoption

Tools get adopted when they solve a real problem. The right technology improves both the customer experience and how the team does its work.

Get In Touch

Let's talk about your business.

Whether you are actively exploring a sale or just beginning to think about what a transition looks like, a conversation costs nothing. Brokers are welcome to reach out directly as well.

@ christian@ocotilloventures.com ☏ 505.366.4925

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