Case Study
Building to sell for Yatter
What does it take to build, scale, and sell a business– all within three years? For Gavin Bell, founder of Yatter, it was a journey of bold decisions, relentless focus, and having Ashton McGill by his side every step of the way. From the first invoice to the final handshake on the acquisition deal, this is the story of how Yatter grew from an idea into an irresistible asset buyers couldn’t ignore.
The Challenge: Building a Business with an Exit in Mind.
The Yatter journey started with a realisation during the pandemic. For Gavin, running a consultancy under his name meant building a lifestyle business with no intrinsic value to sell. Inspired by the book Built to Sell, Gavin knew he wanted more– a business that could operate without him and eventually be acquired.
Gavin shifted from running a lifestyle business to developing a scalable, sellable asset.
However, turning that vision into reality came with its challenges:
• Developing scalable systems and processes.
• Delegating core operations to focus on growth.
• Navigating market uncertainties, particularly in 2023.
• Preparing the business for due diligence and acquisition negotiations.
• Finding the right team to drive growth and sustain operations post-sale.
Gavin needed a financial partner who could guide him through the complexities of scaling and selling a business.
The Solution: A Strategic Partnership with Ashton McGill.
Gavin partnered with Ashton McGill to support Yatter’s growth and prepare for a successful exit. We became an extension of Gavin's team, providing mentorship, strategic guidance, and hands-on support.
✓ Financial Mentorship & Literacy
Regular financial reviews helped Gavin better understand key metrics, enabling him to tell a compelling story with the numbers– crucial during due diligence.
“Back then, I didn’t even know what a profit and loss was. Ashton McGill walked me through everything I needed to know as an entrepreneur.”
✓ Technology & Automation
Implemented tools like Xero and Dext to streamline financial operations, improve efficiency and lift the burden of financial admin.
“I thought every business used these tools– it turns out they don’t. Automating things saved me so much time.”
✓ Exit Strategy Support
Guided Gavin through building a comprehensive data room to ensure a smooth due diligence process.
“You were the ones who suggested building a data room. Getting all our documents organised meant that when the due diligence list came in, we could just hand it over.”
✓ Post-Sale Support
Continued monthly financial check-ins to maximise value during the post-acquisition earn-out period.
“You were the ones that helped me get the business to a place where, structurally, it was sound to go. Just ensuring that the work we were doing–like on the EBITDA–was right was really important.”
The Journey: Scaling Yatter to Success
Between 2021 and 2024, Yatter experienced rapid growth:
✓ Expanded from 2 to 12 team members.
✓ Systemised operations with checklist-driven client onboarding and service delivery.
✓ Overcame market challenges, including a challenging Q3 in 2023, by focusing on internal systems and recovery strategies.
✓ Built a resilient, scalable model that could function efficiently with minimal reliance on its founder.
“Everything has been really systemised– from lead generation to sales to service delivery. It meant I could step away and actually focus on working on the business rather than in the business.”
– Gavin Bell
The Results: A Successful Acquisition & Beyond
Yatter’s sale to Velstar was the culmination of years of strategic planning, operational excellence, and financial discipline. Gavin achieved:
✓ A Seamless Due Diligence Process
Impressing buyers with the organisation and transparency of Yatter’s financials.
✓ A Fully Systemised, Scalable Agency Model
Allowing the business to function independently of him, a key factor in making it appealing to potential buyers.
✓ Financial Clarity
& Control
Enabling him to make informed decisions throughout the acquisition process and confidently present Yatter’s performance to prospective buyers.
“Having someone in the trenches with me, who I knew had my best interests at heart, was invaluable.”
–Gavin Bell
Lessons Learned & Looking Ahead
“Everything we did was designed to be sellable. That clarity shaped every decision.”
✓ Start With The End in Mind
“Itʼs not just about spreadsheets. Itʼs about telling a story with your numbers.”
✓ Know Your Numbers
✓ Surround Yourself With The Right Partners
“It feels like I gained 10 years of experience in one.”
“Things you think matter to buyers sometimes don’t– and vice versa. Be ready for surprises.”
✓ Prepare For The Unexpected
Why Partner with Ashton McGill?
For Gavin, the partnership wasn’t just about numbers– it was about having people who genuinely care about his journey.
“Most people I talk to complain about their accountants being slow or unhelpful. I never had those issues. Ashton McGill just got it. They went above and beyond, and it felt like they were as invested in Yatter’s success as I was.”
–Gavin Bell
Accounting that powers business growth
Growing a business is exciting– but it’s also complex. Without the right financial insights, it’s easy to feel uncertain about your next move. We take the guesswork out of finance– so you can focus on growing your business with confidence and clarity.
Let’s turn your numbers into a roadmap for growth.