KLJ Management
KLJ Management is a founder-led investment firm focused on acquiring and operating a high-quality business. We partner with owners seeking a thoughtful transition and long-term continuity, bringing committed capital, operational experience, and a disciplined acquisition process.
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Our approach emphasizes stewardship, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. We acquire businesses with the intent to operate them long term, preserving what works while investing in people, systems, and customer relationships.
KLJ Management is based in California and focuses on opportunities in the Central Coast and broader Bay Area.
Acquisition Criteria
KLJ Management seeks to acquire one established business that meets the following criteria:
Specialty Products
Physical product businesses with a loyal following and operational moats
U.S.-based light manufacturing, assembly, or distribution
$500K+ in profit, ideally with clean inventory and logistics
Products with specialty use cases or enthusiast followings
B2B Services
Service businesses with recurring work, client relationships, and operational maturity
Located in Santa Cruz, Monterey, or Santa Clara Counties
$400K+ SDE or seller earnings
Team and/or expert management in place
Ideal sectors: environmental services, niche consulting, technical services, back-office platforms, or compliance-related businesses
Institutional, recurring, or contract-based customer base preferred
Santa Cruz Institutions
Established, local businesses with deep roots and loyal customers
Based in Santa Cruz County or nearby communities
$300K+ in owner earnings
10–20+ years in operation
Strong reputation, word-of-mouth customer base
Owners seeking retirement or succession
KLJ Management is a long-term, hands-on owner. Our objective is to provide sellers with a clear, respectful, and efficient transition process, while ensuring continuity for employees, customers, and partners.
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Key elements of our approach include:
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Committed capital and readiness to move quickly for the right opportunity
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Direct, principal-led decision making
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Thoughtful transition planning tailored to seller needs
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Long-term ownership mindset rather than short-term financial engineering
We value transparency, alignment, and mutual trust throughout the process.
Our Approach
Business Advisory Services
My career started in consulting, including occasionally take on short-term consulting and advisory projects to help owners with
Strategic Planning
Market validation, financial analysis, and forecasting
Growth and Partnerships
Marketing planning, partner recruitment, contract negotiation support
Exit Preperation
Profitability improvement,
M&A readiness