Ownership Transitions

“ We recently had the privilege of working with Shawn and Ben at Aspen Academies on the sale of our childcare business. They were both knowledgeable, communicative and highly dependable. Everything they initially promised up front, ultimately came through in the end; which is exactly what you're looking for when selling a business. One of the reasons why we initially committed to working with Shawn and Ben was because of their strong relationship with multiple lenders. They leveraged their established relationship with Ready Capital to quickly obtain a loan. We were able to close escrow just 15 days after signing the purchase agreement. The entire process was smooth and seamless - we're so glad we made the decision to sell our business to them.”

"Selling Canby Learning Tree and Little Explorers Daycare to Shawn and Ben at Aspen was the right way to close out my 20+ year career in early childhood education. Canby Learning Tree was a second-generation family business. Many of our staff have dedicated themselves to the school for a decade or more, so finding the right buyer wasn't just a financial decision — it was deeply personal. What stood out to me from the start was Shawn and Ben's honesty; what they promised up front in the Letter of Intent is exactly what showed up in the final paperwork. The transaction was complicated, involving the sale of both preschool businesses along with the real estate at Canby Learning Tree, but they moved with real urgency and efficiency to keep us on track for closing. Before we got there, they invited me to tour two of their existing schools, and they made sure my managers could sit down with theirs to hear directly what it's like working with them. That kind of transparency, combined with their genuine passion and the high-quality programming at their schools, gave me confidence that our staff and families would be well cared for."

"When you come to the decision to retire, make a professional shift, or sell a business you have built, you want to approach the process with the same intentions that guided the growth of your program itself. Questions about whether the school can remain strong and long-lasting, whether the next owners are prepared for the work and care required in early childhood education, and whether the transition can support all become deeply important. Aspen demonstrated a genuine willingness to do the on-the-ground work, learn the programming and culture of the school, and thoughtfully engage in the realities of early childhood ed. The care and transparency brought to every conversation made a complex transition feel thoughtful, professional, and well-managed."

"When the previous owner invited me to lunch and then shared that he was selling Summit Day School, I went into shock. I felt a mix of uncertainty and concern for what the future would look like. But from the moment Shawn and Ben stepped in as new owners, their transparency, dedication, and genuine care for the staff and children quickly put all my concerns to rest. Shawn and Ben met individually with all twenty teachers to ask for feedback on what was working well, and what could be improved. They then jumped to offer the lead teacher in every classroom a stipend to purchase a new set of classroom supplies. My team and I feel valued, supported, and optimistic for the future."

"I had the pleasure of working with Shawn and Ben on the acquisition of a preschool in Oregon. Both are highly qualified and experienced professionals in the preschool industry. Throughout the process, they demonstrated exceptional knowledge, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to meeting deadlines. They consistently provided all necessary documentation in a timely and organized manner, which made the transaction smooth and efficient. I have full confidence in their abilities and look forward to working with them again as they expand their portfolio and pursue additional preschool acquisitions in the near future."