Stewards of People & Prosperity
We're building a broad-based employee-owned holding company and are seeking our first acquisition.
Reach OutWhy Sell to Your Employees?
Tar Springs Partners is building an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that the employees of acquired companies join. Our ESOP distributes shares to employees alongside their typical compensation and benefits, allowing them to build ownership in the holding company over time. This unique structure offers benefits to both you as a seller and the team that you've built:
Superior Sale Value
Selling to an ESOP allows you to take a tax-free exchange, maximizing your exit value.
Flexible Transition
Whether you're ready to retire or want to keep working, we let you transition on your terms.
Enduring Legacy
We preserve your legacy by financially empowering the team that you've built.
A Note From Hunter
Hunter Hawley, Principal
I've been fortunate to experience the power of team-shared success throughout my career. As the founder of Blueprint Stats, I led a world-class team in building a successful employee-owned sports data startup. Later, I played a key role in revitalizing a 77-year-old manufacturing company, preserving numerous jobs in the process. Now, I'm leveraging these experiences and my extensive network to empower teams on an even larger scale.
Learn MoreOur Guiding Principles
Long-term investments beat short-term results.
Say what you mean, and follow through.
Focus on what you can control, and nothing else.
What We're Looking For
Tar Springs Partners is actively seeking it's first acquisition. In searching for a company that we can most effectively steward, these are the characteristics that we look for:
Industry Characteristics
- • High geographic fragmentation
- • Competitive labor markets or shortages
- • Industries with lagging technology adoption
Business Characteristics
- • Private, concentrated ownership
- • Low customer concentration
- • High rate of recurring or contracted customers
Geographic Characteristics
- • Located in the Midwest or Southern United States
Highlighted Interests
- • Particular interest in Niche Manufacturing Firms
- • Skilled Trade Services
- • Environmental and Sustainability Services
- • Pediatric Therapy Services