📡 SMB Signal: Electrical contractor, interior design firm and commercial fabrication business

Hello, and welcome to SMB Signal by Mainshares! Each week, we spotlight high-quality small business deals, operator insights, and tactical playbooks for buying, running, or investing in Main Street businesses.

🎉 Community Win

Check out this win shared by a member in the Mainshares Network!

🔍️ This Week’s Featured Deals

If you are interested in one of these featured deals, create a Buyer Profile and request access by getting in touch at [email protected].

🔑 Electrical Contractor with Motor Service Division

Location: Western Nebraska / Eastern Wyoming
Founded: 30+ years ago
Revenue (2024): ~$6.4M (est.)
SDE (2024): ~$785K (est.)
Employees: ~19

Long-established electrical contractor with a loyal, diversified client base and 90%+ repeat revenue. Provides full-scope electrical contracting (industrial, commercial, and residential) and includes a complementary motor service division specializing in rewind/repair. Operations are supported by purpose-built facilities, which are available for purchase or lease. The owner is active in estimating and management but will support a structured transition.

Why is this interesting?

• Resilient service mix—60% service work, 35% new construction, 5% generator sales.

• High customer retention—Over 90% of revenue from repeat clients, some spanning 20+ years.

• Diversified operations—Motor service shop generates 30–40% gross margins with fast turnaround.

• Real estate optionality—Office, warehouse, and motor service facilities available to lease or buy.

• Scalable platform—Opportunities to add crews, expand geographically, and grow industrial service and motor repair.

🔑 Commercial Door & Frame Fabrication Installation

Location: Alameda County, CA
Founded: 25+ years ago
Revenue (2024): $5.6M
SDE (2024): $1.1M
Asking Price: $3.5M

A long-standing commercial door and frame company serving general contractors, developers, and property managers across Northern California. Specializing in hollow metal and wood doors/frames, the business delivers both manufacturing and installation. With over $1.1M in SDE in 2024 and no major customer concentration, the company is well-positioned for continued profitability. Seller is willing to remain as RMO, allowing a buyer to operate without holding a license.

Why is this interesting?

• Strong financials—$5.6M in revenue with over $1.1M SDE in 2024.

• Customer diversity—No client accounts for more than 20% of sales.

• Turnkey operations—Fabrication and installation in-house.

• Licensing support—Seller can remain RMO post-sale.

• Upside potential—Growth opportunities in geographic expansion, digital marketing, and margin gains via non-union install options.

🔑 Interior Design & Merchandising Firm

Location: Arizona
Founded: 2010
Revenue (2024): $9M
SDE (2024): $1M

A highly regarded interior design and model home merchandising firm with 14+ years of experience. Ranked among the largest design firms in its metro, the company serves national homebuilders, residential clients, and commercial projects. With 2024 revenue of $9M and over $1M in SDE, the business benefits from a strong management team, repeat builder relationships, and an expanding Build-to-Rent (BTR) market.

Why is this interesting?

• Strong earnings profile—$9M in revenue and $1.07M SDE in 2024.

• Diverse service mix—71% builder merchandising, plus residential, commercial, and BTR design.

• Trusted reputation—Consistently ranked as a top design firm in the Phoenix market.

• Established clients—Deep ties with national builders and developers.

• Growth opportunities—Expansion in BTR, multifamily, and regional markets.

Deal summaries above are for informational purposes only. Detailed financials and confidential information are shared only with vetted buyers under an executed NDA.

🎥 Upcoming events

🗓️ Thursday, August 28
👤Hosts: Brushan Lele, 3x ETA founder
🕛 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET
👉Register now

Choosing the wrong business can drain your time, money, and momentum. In this live session, you’ll learn how to leverage AI to zero in on the opportunities that align with your strengths and avoid the ones that will hold you back.

In this webinar, you’ll discover:

• Your entrepreneurial edge (and blind spots): How AI can reveal the traits that shape your success as an owner.

• The fit framework: A simple method to match businesses to your unique profile.

• Early warning signs: The red flags that signal when a deal isn’t worth your time.

Walk away with a clear, repeatable process to turn your business search from a gamble into a strategic, data-backed decision. Perfect for both first-time buyers and seasoned operators evaluating their next move.

🎙️ Interview With an Owner-Operator: Residential Painting Services

From getting fired as a bartender to running a multi-crew painting company, Matt Carlson has seen it all. In this episode of SMB15, Matt shares the raw story of building M. Carlson Painting over 25+ years: the mistakes, the systems, the culture, and why reputation is the only real warranty in business.

📑 More Resources

• Getting to Close: The Financing Checklist Before and After an LOI 👉 Read the article

• Why Sellers Push Back on LOIs and How to Structure Win-Win Terms 👉 Read the article

• Leveraging a Sale-Leaseback for Real Estate in a Business Acquisition 👉 Read the article

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