About Ardent Partners
You built your business one win at a time.
Your exit should honor that work.
Selling your business is a complicated undertaking. It’s not just a transaction—it’s the handoff of something you’ve built win by win, over years.
At Ardent Partners, we take the time to understand those wins and what makes your business sustainable, then highlight them to targeted, motivated buyers. Done well, your success becomes the very thing someone else will gladly pay a premium to control and build upon.
Our story: from clients to partners
Ardent Partners was born out of a successful advisor–client relationship.
When we—Hagen & Christy—decided to sell our business, we’d already seen how poor listings and misaligned brokers could hurt owners. We wanted something different.
We hired Fred Stephenson and got more than a broker. We got a strategic advisor who helped us strengthen operations, identify key value drivers, and manage a disciplined sale process—during COVID. The result was a record‑setting sale price within our franchise network.
After closing, we approached Fred with a proposal to go into business together, providing more business owners with a better experience when selling what they had built.
Today, Ardent Partners combines:
Our experience building and exiting our own business
Fred’s years of success as a trusted, ethical broker
to serve owners who deserve clear guidance, honest advice, and excellent service when it’s time to sell.
Our Philosophy
Selling your life’s work is both an emotional and financial decision—and you only make it once. That belief shapes how we work:
Honor what you’ve built. Your business was built one win at a time. We learn your story, systems, and strengths so we can represent them accurately.
Focus on real value drivers. We look at similar transactions, likely synergies with different buyer types, and—critically—the lens of the buyer pool to understand what truly drives value.
Create competition, protect your legacy. We target qualified buyers who stand to gain from acquiring your business, work to create competition for your company, and advocate for both a strong financial outcome and the legacy you want to leave.
Client Results
“Fred conducted a thoughtful evaluation, provided a well‑supported valuation, and generated multiple competitive offers. He understood my business, advocated for me through the inevitable challenges, and handled the process with integrity. I was extremely pleased with the outcome.”
— Nina V., Administrative Services
"I had no prior experience navigating a sale of a company, so I had no idea what to expect. Fred was my trusted partner from initial valuation estimates through to closing on a purchase (right around his initial estimate). I feel very fortunate to have met Fred and have recommended him to several friends.”
— Laura R. Educational Services“Our retirement, consisting of tennis, pickleball and golf, can only be credited to one professional, Mr. Fred Stephenson! He guided us through the sale of our business, had multiple discussions with our attorney, insurance reps, bankers and accountants, assisted us with due diligence and vetted potential buyers. We had no idea on how much work it took for Fred to help us succeed with the sale. It is definitely a process that takes time and effort so we thank you Fred for your patience, perseverance and professionalism. Now, we have to go play tennis, but before we do, we strongly suggest you call Fred and get the guidance you need to buy or sell your business.”
— Ken & Diane S., Industrial Services
“At first, I was concerned about selling our business as I imagined it would be a rather daunting task; however, meeting and working with Fred quickly eased my worries. His confidence, market expertise, and professionalism stood out, and he was always easy to reach – he actually answers his phone.
Fred understood both the challenges and emotions involved and he remained patient throughout. I appreciate his guidance and assistance. With his help, the sale was a great success!”
— Ann M., IT ServicesI chose Fred after careful evaluation of broker options. I had not sold a business before and needed the experienced, steady guidance that he provided. The result was a smooth process, drama-free closing, and seeing my business continue in good hands.
— Bill A. Electronics Mfg. and Distribution
When you work with Ardent Partners, you’re not hiring someone to simply list your business.
You’re partnering with former owners and an experienced broker who:
Understand what it feels like to sell
Know what sophisticated buyers look for
Bring a robust, advisory‑led approach to protecting your time, value, and legacy
What this means for you
Meet the Team
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Fred Stephenson
PRINCIPAL AND SENIOR M&A ADVISOR
Selling a business is one of the most significant financial decisions an owner will ever make. My focus is to help you understand what your company is truly worth, position it effectively, and navigate a transaction that delivers both a strong outcome and a smooth transition.
I bring a combination of perspectives to each engagement: intermediary, banker, entrepreneur, and trader. Early in my career, I traded grain and executed futures and options strategies for commercial clients, developing risk‑management approaches and cash‑flow disciplines that still inform how I evaluate businesses today. Later, at the Royal Bank of Scotland, I helped build the Chicagoland business banking market, structuring financing for small and mid‑sized companies across a wide range of industries.
As an entrepreneur in transportation and logistics, I’ve also lived the realities of running a time‑sensitive, service‑driven business. That experience helps me understand both the risks and rewards of ownership—and the practical challenges of preparing for a sale while still leading a company.
Today, I draw on that background to:
- Assess what makes an organization viable and valuable over the long run
- Identify the most appropriate pool of buyers and create real competition for quality companies
- Help owners embrace the changes that come with a sale while executing a customized plan designed to attract multiple qualified buyers and reach a highest‑and‑best outcome
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Hagen Kern
M&A ADVISOR
For most owners, a business is more than an asset—it’s a life’s work. My role is to help you navigate the complexities of a sale so you capture maximum value and transition on your terms.I offer a perspective many brokers don’t: I’ve been in your seat. I’ve scaled a franchise from $0 to over $1M in revenue, managed multi‑million‑euro P&Ls for international firms, and I currently own and operate a machine shop. I understand both the high‑level financials and the day‑to‑day realities of running a business.
That experience shapes how I approach every engagement: I know what makes a business attractive to qualified buyers, how to uncover value others overlook, and how to manage a disciplined, confidential sale process that respects your time and protects your legacy.
Areas of expertise
- Business valuation and financial analysis
- End‑to‑end M&A process management
- Strategic deal structuring and negotiation
- Confidential marketing and buyer sourcing
- Exit strategy development
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Christy Kern
OPERATIONS
When you’re selling your business, the experience behind the scenes matters as much as the final number. My role is to keep the process organized, clear, and human—so you always know what’s happening and can stay focused on running the business while our team handles the moving pieces.
For more than 14 years, I ran my own consulting and facilitation practice, helping leadership teams clarify strategy, align around a shared narrative, and navigate high‑stakes conversations. That background in communication and decision‑making now supports Ardent clients as we prepare materials, coordinate stakeholders, and move your deal forward with as little confusion and friction as possible.
Areas of expertise
- Operations and client experience
- Communication and messaging
- Workshop facilitation and stakeholder alignment
- Process design and project management
