Purchase.
We buy small businesses. We are straightforward, thorough and decisive. We work to achieve a timely closing at a fair price.
ROOTED IN NORTH CAROLINA
Good businesses.
Lasting legacies.
Building a legacy for my family and those of sellers through acquiring and operating small businesses in North Carolina.
Steve Coakley Founder, Carolina Legacy Holdings
ACQUIRE WITH CARE.OPERATE WITH PURPOSE.GROW TOGETHER.
01 / OUR APPROACH
A new chapter.
The same strong foundation.
A small business is more than a transaction. It’s a team, a tradition, and a place in its community. We build on what makes it matter.
Reimagine.
We look for growth opportunities by combining the foundation and traditions of the business and team with new innovation.
Flourish.
We unleash the potential of teammates, vendors, and customers to the benefit of all stakeholders and the communities they serve.
WHY CLH?
“For a seamless transition and a lasting impact.”
With our unwavering commitment to fair valuations, transparent processes, and a shared vision of community-focused success, we provide owners the confidence of a trusted partner who will honor their legacy while ensuring the business thrives for years to come.
— Steve Coakley02 / THE RIGHT FIT
Local businesses.
Shared values.
We look for established businesses and owners who care about what comes next.
Discuss an opportunityIn a business
- Based in North Carolina
- Revenues of $0.5M–$6M
- Established, with a track record of profitability
- An “old school” business model
In a seller
- Seeking retirement or less day-to-day involvement
- Willing to stay involved through a seller note or small ownership stake
- Wants to keep employees and grow the business’s legacy
- A reasonable valuation
03 / PORTFOLIO & INVOLVEMENT
Building. Investing.
Helping good ideas grow.
Operating businesses, a fund investment, and a hands-on go-to-market role. Different ways to support the next chapter.
OPERATING BUSINESS
The Welcome
Company.
Visit The Welcome Company Company.
The Welcome Company
Connecting Triangle neighbors and local businesses through community newsletters, a local business finder, and local stories and events. Helping people feel connected—whether they’re new in town or have lived here for years.
OPERATING BUSINESS
TapSnapTRIANGLE
Visit TapSnap Triangle TapSnap Triangle
Creating happy people with interactive photo booth experiences for corporate events, weddings, schools, and celebrations across the Triangle.
LIMITED PARTNER
Tweener
Fund.
Explore the Tweener Fund Fund.
NC Tweener Fund
Steve is a limited partner in the Tweener Fund, supporting North Carolina’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GTM LEAD
AcreHOMES
Visit Acre Homes Acre Homes
Steve serves as GTM Lead at Acre Homes, bringing his experience in building businesses and taking new ideas to market.
04 / OUR FOUNDER
Experience earned.
Perspective that stays personal.
STEVE COAKLEY / FOUNDER
An entrepreneur.
An operator. A partner.
In 1994, at the age of 28, Steve embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, launching his first company to provide services to government. Despite the 1995 government shutdown, the business persevered and grew, ultimately reaching #312 on the INC 500 list of fastest-growing companies.
With more than 100 employees and nearly $10M in revenue, Steve often reflects that he learned more about business and himself following the crash in 2008. He steered the company to a strong recovery and sold it in 2012. Along the way, he pursued several adjacent business endeavors.
In 2013, he joined a small, handpicked team tasked with bringing a start-up SaaS technology company to market. Babel Street expanded to serve customers around the world, including U.S. and international governments and Fortune 100 companies, before a successful private-equity exit.
Today, that experience informs his work as a small-business owner, investor, and GTM Lead at Acre Homes. Steve brings a long-term view to building businesses—and a personal commitment to the people behind them.
Outside business, Steve is a husband, father of three, and grandfather.
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn05 / TRUSTED PERSPECTIVES
Good people to have
around the table.
Advisors with experience building, operating, and guiding businesses.
Jeff Chapman
Serial entrepreneur with multiple exits. Investor. Political appointee. National security expert.
Rob Collins
Entrepreneur, strategic advisor and attorney with proven business and legal experience.
Doug Kachadorian
Senior financial executive with experience across operational performance, financial analysis, and business planning.
Eric Bowen
Operator with enterprise and transactional sales, operations, administration, and go-to-market experience in government and commercial markets.
THE NEXT CHAPTER STARTS HERE
Let’s build
something lasting.
Whether you’re a seller, broker, investor, or just curious about CLH, we’re here to answer your questions.