Every great business exists to solve a specific problem.
How does Acuity help?
We have our own proprietary approach to the buy/sell process, which centres around several decades of experience and three key values:
Best Practices – Businesses have been changing hands since the rise of the first entrepreneurs. Those transactions have left a wealth of data for the attentive student. We take that opportunity seriously. If we aren’t learning or applying those lessons, we’re robbing our clients from their full potential.Whether it’s completing an initial valuation or facilitating a pre-sale improvement strategy, Acuity always operates from documented policies that ensure everything is done in the most beneficial way possible.
Fairness – They say the best deals are the ones where all parties leave slightly unhappy. It means both sides gave something to get something. Historically, those are the deals that still look great to everyone five years down the road. But achieving that fairness takes more than just good intentions or a desire for cooperation. It often requires having an independent party who can (gently) point out the gaps and opportunities that the parties couldn’t see for themselves.
Privacy – One of the most common culprits behind a failed business sale is a breach of privacy. Someone involved, innocently or intentionally, said or did something that removed the necessary secrecy from the process.
This often leads to unexpected employee turnover, damaged business relationships, and other challenges that can severely impact the ultimate sale price (or the success of the sale altogether). Acuity faithfully adheres to its own privacy policies to protect this from happening. It’s simply too important to gamble with.
Who we are
We’re more of a network than a business — and we prefer it that way. We’re a group of specialized professionals who happen to share one common interest: the success of small and mid-sized businesses.
Ken Wither
The team is overseen by founder Ken Wither. Originally a chartered accountant, Ken veered into the business world to work under Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison. It was an experience that permanently re-defined his ideas about intentional excellence.
Ken is a lover of continual education. Over his long career, he’s achieved the highest level of professional accreditation as a chartered accountant, a business broker, a commercial realtor, a conference speaker, and a business coach.
Ken’s accreditations are with the International Business Brokers Association, the Canadian Commercial Council of Realtors, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and the Certified Coaches Federation.
Andrew M. Shorter
A business strategist with an entrepreneurial flair and extensive experience in negotiation, marketing, and business development, Andrew has concluded over $150M in business transactions in a career that spans over three decades in commercial real estate, banking, finance, insurance, and wealth management across the globe.
Prior to joining ABG, Andrew held the role As Vice President, board member and shareholder in a Calgary-owned financial, tax & wealth practice business, divesting his interests in 2020 to become a full-time M&A Advisor, and member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA). He has also completed his LLQP and CIFC (Canadian Investment Fund Certification) in recent years.
A fourth-generation entrepreneur himself, Andrew has owned and invested in multiple small businesses and successful start-ups overseas, and in Canada. His personal journey has made him passionate about working with business owners to help them achieve their dreams and financial goals.
A community builder, Andrew has served on numerous boards including his current role on the British and Commonwealth Business Association of Canada (www.BCBAC.ca). He is a strong believer in giving back to the community he works, lives, and plays in.
A former competitive tennis player and multiple championship winner, Andrew is an avid fan and coach to his teenage daughter, a keen rugby enthusiast, All Blacks supporter, and a budding golfer.
Andrew brings a wealth of experience, an extensive global network and a business philosophy based on integrity, honesty, and trust to his role with Acuity Business Group.
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Andrew serves a diverse range of clients across industry in the Western Canadian market.
Brooklyn Shill
Focused on quality and service, Brooklyn heads up the Acuity Business Group customer service team including the coordination of listing information, inquiries and website resources available for buyers and sellers. With a sales and marketing background, she works closely with the Acuity team to ensure that business listings attract the right kind of buyers for your business. Her past experience includes the management of a large sales and customer service team located in various North American cities.
