Acquiring, operating, and growing one great small business in DC, Maryland, or Virginia.

For the long term.

What I offer.

Local, motivated partner

The DMV is my home and this is my full-time job. I’m not “kicking tires” from afar in my spare time.

Ability to close

I have the personal capital and network to close a deal expeditiously.

Safe pair of hands

I have the experience coupled with a long-term hold philosophy to safeguard and add to the reputation, relationships, and legacy you’ve built.

What

I’m about.

I believe in the positive power of small business and in real people who create real things or provide real services addressing real problems.

I’m a husband, father, brother, friend, and entrepreneur. Since I was 17 years old, I’ve aspired to own a business - no bull, see the newspaper clipping at right.

I’ve had the blessing of learning from, working with, and leading all kinds of people all over the country. I’ve worked with small businesses and Fortune 500 companies, in rural manufacturing plants and in corporate headquarters in major cities. Through it all, I’ve realized that many people are not getting what they want out of life. Deep-down, many people seem to be missing something and they try to fill that void through acquiring material things, relationships, status, consuming media, etc.

At its best, I believe small business offers a remedy. It provides a sense of purpose, community, and a defined structure for acting in the world, one through which people can test themselves and be tested. Additionally, I believe in small business’ opportunity to create financial abundance - not just for owners but employees, the communities in which they operate, and the economy at large. I founded Meridian Hill in 2023 as the means to realize this vision.

Interview with local paper - 2007

Some of my favorite reflections on life and business:

  • “Concentrate your energies, your thoughts, and your capital.” - Andrew Carnegie

  • “The desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world.” - John Le Carre

  • “The devil is in the details, but so is salvation.” - Hyman G. Rickover

  • “When you want to help people, you tell them the truth. When you want to help yourself, you tell them what they want to hear.” - Thomas Sowell

  • “Wall Street is in the business of making money between now and next Thursday. We are in the business of building an organization that we hope to be here in fifty years from now.” - Jim Sinegal

  • “A true vocation calls us out beyond ourselves; breaks our heart in the process and then humbles, simplifies and enlightens us about the hidden, core nature of the work that enticed us in the first place.” - David Whyte

Me with millwrights at plant in Florida - 2018

Me getting hands dirty at plant in Virginia - 2021

What I’m looking for.

Transitioning Owners

  • Founders and entrepreneurs looking to transition ownership of their business, who believe in its long-term growth potential and care about their employees and legacy

Compelling Fundamentals

  • $0.4mm - $1.2mm seller discretionary earnings (SDE) with 15%+ EBITDA margins

  • High recurring or repeat revenue with low annual customer churn

  • Opportunities to grow by expanding products/services/geography, improving operational processes or technology, or making acquisitions

Based in the DMV

Businesses based in DC, Maryland, Virginia, ideally:

  • Maryland:  Montgomery, Frederick, Howard, Carroll, Baltimore, Harford, Anne-Arundel, Prince George, Charles, and Calvert counties

  • Virginia:  Loudon, Fairfax, Faquier, Prince William, and Stafford counties

Get in touch.

If this is interesting to you or would be to someone you know, I’d love to hear from you. It all starts with a conversation.

Matt Szambelan

matt@meridianhill-llc.com

240-769-0749

Schedule time with me directly.

Find me on LinkedIn.