References

To Whom It May Concern:

Our Board of Directors decided to market Pooh Corner after 28 years when I was ready to retire as Executive Director. Licensed for 66 children, we tried to market the center ourselves only to learn it was too small to interest a national chain, and too large and overwhelming to attract a single person as a buyer. We then signed a contract with a costly (to us) and unscrupulous (to us) national agent who promised us the moon.

Only after suffering from these two poor decisions did we find Barnett Financial Services, Jeff and Brad Barnett. These men are honest, hard working and committed to matching owners of centers with qualified buyers. Both brothers are professional, and they marketed our center with such confidential practices that our enrolled families and the local community were unaware of the impending sale until we chose to tell them.

Jeff and Brad do all of the work, making the seller's job quite supervisory. Anyone should feel confident putting the sale of their center in BFS hands. I learned the hard way, but now am retired and listening to Cape Cod ocean waves breaking on the beach as I write this from my kitchen. I love this new chapter in my life.

Thank you.

Carol Salerno,
Former Executive Director
Pooh Corner Preschool Learning Center, Inc.
Norwich, CT

Thank you so much... I appreciate everything you did for me during the process of the sale. The girls struggled for a while with the transition, but I think things are starting to settle down now. I love teaching high school Economics, and would have never dreamed that this would be such a great fit for me... Best of all, I get to share some of my business experiences with these young people. My goal for them is that they will understand the choices and power they have in regards to their handling of money, while also understanding the Biblical principals of handling money. The schedule is great too! I work half days and get to see my husband occasionally, and am there when my granddaughter gets out of school each afternoon.

Thanks again.

Mrs. Sara Wall, Former President
Holly Tree Child Care Centers, Inc.
Holly Tree Properties, Inc.
Brentwood and Franklin, TN

It has been a pleasure working with you in the sale of our daycare. After spending 20 years building a business, I was very close to the children and parents and making a decision to sell was difficult. However, working with you made a difficult decision go very smoothly. There were some rough spots but you helped make the deal become a reality. Without your connections and expertise we would never have met a potential buyer to acquire such a large center.

I particularly thank you for the confidentiality that your staff displayed during the sale process, this was a very big sale and yet no one was aware of the sale until the proper time. All of our contacts with BFS were handled timely and with individual care. You made it seem like we were your only clients and for that I am truly grateful.

Carolyn Saddler, Former President
For Kids Only, Inc.
Antioch, TN

We wanted to thank you for all of the help you gave us before, and during the selling of our Childcare. As you know, this was an emotional decision for us to sell our Center, and the kindness and understanding you all showed us was wonderful. We found that your expertise in managing the process between the buyer and seller was handled very well. Although we frequently had questions, you always had time to find the answers for us.

We thank you for the personal touch. Brad, you were wonderful, and Katie and I really consider you a friend, as well as a fabulous business associate.

We would highly recommend you to anyone who choses to buy or sell a Childcare Facility. BFS' attention to detail has been superb and greatly appreciated in such a detailed business transaction.

Sandra Sokol and Katie Sasser,
Former Owners of Franklin Childcare II, LLC
Franklin, TN

New Owner: Day-care buyout won't change things

Franklin-Three local day-care centers have been sold to a Kentucky-based company looking to broaden its reach in the child-care industry by expanding into Middle Tennessee. The company also purchased the For Kids Only day care in Antioch.

Mark Bush, Chief Operating Officer.said employees at the recently purchased day cares shouldn't worry about losing their jobs. There are about 100 employees among the four day-care centers, which serve about 500 children.

The sales were brokered by Barnett Financial Services, a national merger and acquisition firm that specifically works in the child-care industry.

THE TENNESSEAN / WILLIAMSON A.M. (Newspaper)
December 20, 2004
Nashville, TN

Thank you and the staff at BFS for all of your diligence in the sell of our childcare center. I know our situation was unique considering we wanted to sell the center, but we needed a buyer that was willing to temporarily lease part of the facility back to my printing company. I now have plenty of time to find a new building for my printing company without interrupting service to my printing customers. I am pleasantly surprised that BFS was able to obtain both goals.

Because of your attentiveness we found a cashflow error that had caused the company to be under priced. When we corrected the error, it allowed us to increase our asking price beyond our original asking price. We were able to proceed with the selling process with very little delay.

While we were concerned during some of the negotiation process, you stuck by us and got us a favorable deal despite how bleak things looked. Thanks again for all of your help.

Steve Robison, Former President
Fiddlestix Child Care
Toledo, OH

...Cheryl and I would like to thank you for all you have done in our quest to sell our day care center. The professionalism shown by you and your staff was obvious from the start, and continued through the sale.

Your vast network of buyers and sellers could not be compared to anything we could've done on our own. We were so pleased you found a buyer who shared the same childcare philosophies we have. It's comforting to know the sale of our business was in such capable hands.

Cheryl Kalmer, Former President
Joseph G. Kalmer, Former Vice President
Kids Club Child Development Center
Edwardsville, IL

Fletchers Sell Day Care Center to Waterloo Couple

The $1.365 million sale includes the building on East Lake Centre. Ed and Mona Fletcher have sold the business to Ron and Pat Caywood.Ron Caywood said employees and parents should notice no change in the services provided. The Caywoods learned of the prospective sale through a search firm [BFS] that had previous contact with the Fletchers. The Caywoods decided they liked the center and told the [BFS] representative they liked what they had seen.The two couples realized they had similar philosophies about day care.That experience.eased the decision-making process for the Fletchers.

QUINCY HERALD-WHIG (Newspaper)
June 19, 2004
Quincy, IL

...Thanks for the handling of the sale of Fletcher's Daycare Center. We appreciate all the extra attention and understanding which you gave us to make this happen. We felt very pleased with the result of the process. We are especially pleased and impressed with the way the deal was kept so quiet and also with finding us such a capable buyer and operator. You made it clear that whatever we needed was most important. It was reassuring to call you with any question or concern, knowing that you will have an answer or several other options. Everyone we caused to come in contact with you, from our staff, the buyers and our attorney, all stated that you are always very professional and efficient. This was also our experience throughout the process with your entire staff. Once again, thanks for making this happen so easily. We both feel that without BFS this would not have been nearly as pleasant of an experience.

Mr. Edward C. Fletcher, Former President
Mrs. Ramona M. Fletcher, Former Vice-President
Fletcher's Inc.
Quincy, IL