For most business owners, selling a company is the largest financial transaction of their lives. The decision carries consequences that extend well beyond price, affecting retirement, family security, legacy and what comes next.
The immensity of that transition is what led Scott Bushkie to strike out on his own and start Cornerstone Business Services, offering M&A advisory to the lower-middle market.
The firm began in 2001, just Scott and a single assistant, working with business owners who were underserved by existing options. Many were too large for traditional business brokers, yet too small to command attention from large investment banks. In that gap, owners frequently faced unclear guidance, unrealistic expectations and transactions that failed to close.
Cornerstone was built to address those problems, creating a more disciplined, team‑based approach designed to generate multiple offers and maximize value. From the outset, the firm emphasized honest conversations and realistic market insight to help owners make well-informed decisions before and during a sale.
Throughout the past 25 years, Cornerstone has grown into one of the largest lower‑middle market investment banks in the Midwest with a team of approximately 20 professionals, including M&A advisors, valuation specialists, buy-side analysts and transaction support staff. The firm advises business owners globally, working with companies generating between $5 million and $250 million in annual revenue.
While the firm’s core work is business transactions, clients frequently come to Cornerstone while weighing succession planning, health concerns, family priorities or long-term financial security. For many, the sale of a business represents both an ending and a beginning.
As Cornerstone marks its 25th year, its team remains focused on guiding business owners through one of the largest financial transactions of their lives, delivering Legacy‑Level Deals™ so owners can move forward with peace of mind and no regrets.
