Dual-Location Early Learning Center Sold in New York

HINGE Early Education Advisors is pleased to announce the sale of Happy Hearts on the Hudson and Happy Hearts Take Two, a pair of well-established early education schools located in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

Owners Desiree and Chris Mastroianni initially turned to HINGE to get in front of serious buyers who would uphold the high level of quality the centers have maintained over the past 20 years. They soon realized there’s much more that goes into selling a childcare center successfully and why so many seasoned ECE owners choose to be represented by specialized transaction advisors.

Breaking Through Direct-to-Buyer Roadblocks

Before engaging HINGE, the owners explored a direct-to-buyer approach, reaching out on their own to several large early education brands about a potential sale. Despite these organizations’ aggressive acquisition efforts, it was difficult for Desiree and Chris to gain traction.

With quality top of mind, they sought support from HINGE and the firm’s robust network of pre-qualified ECE buyers and investors. Prior to engaging potential buyers, the HINGE team — following its proven process — conducted a comprehensive analysis of each school business, including operational structure, enrollment, financials, and growth opportunities, to inform Happy Hearts’ optimal go-to-market positioning and current market value.

A Clear, Grounded Valuation Process

HINGE’s in-house financial analysts used this information to calculate a strategic ECE-specific valuation and provide the Mastroiannis a strong but realistic view of the price their schools would likely command given a variety of factors.

“Getting our valuation from HINGE was eye-opening,” they note. “We thought it might be like when you go to sell your house and you feel like it’s worth more, but then reality sets in. That wasn’t the case at all. Unlike the inflated numbers we received from another broker, HINGE’s valuation was right on the money.”

Generating Market Interest and Competitive Offers

When the Mastroiannis gave the green light to move forward with a formal process, the HINGE team moved swiftly, providing guidance and laying the groundwork for a smooth transition.

From advising on immediate strategies for maximizing value to developing a compelling offering memorandum, curating a focused list of potential successors from HINGE’s extensive pool of buyers, and managing confidential outreach, HINGE spearheaded every step of the process through negotiations and closing.

“From day one, we knew we had a team in our corner that was very competent and knew what needed to be done,” the Mastroiannis say.

By leveraging relationships with a broad spectrum of ECE players and creating a competitive environment, HINGE’s efforts generated interest from 20 buyers and 4 formal offers. After negotiations led by the HINGE team, Desiree and Chris ultimately selected one standout offer from a well-aligned early education provider.

“We absolutely feel that HINGE got us top dollar for both of our schools,” the couple says.

Guided to a Strong, Confident Close

In addition to relying on HINGE’s expertise to market the schools, garner attention from high-quality buyers, and run a competitive process, the Mastroiannis say they were grateful to have HINGE guide them through the complexities of due diligence, final negotiations, and closing.

“We quickly realized that finding the right buyer was just the start,” they say. “We learned that a lot goes into keeping the deal together and maintaining a school’s value through closing. HINGE was instrumental in making this a reality and helping us reach the goals we set for ourselves and our schools.”

Desiree and Chris’ experience highlights an important reality. From beginning to end, each step of the transaction process requires industry-specific expertise and skilled execution. 

“It takes genuine trust to sell an organization that we spent two decades building and truly love,” Desiree and Chris share. “We’re extremely thankful to close this chapter the way we did, and we’re genuinely grateful for the partnership that made it possible.”

Interested in Learning More About Selling Your Early Education Business?

Connect with the HINGE team to learn how a structured, confidential process can help you maximize value and find the right successor for your school. Reach out today!