Kalos is a boutique firm that values people and relationships above all else. During the pandemic, the company offered months of pro-bono services, since this was when their clients needed it the most. They truly partner with their clients and, in doing so, provide an environment where the Kalos team can feel proud that they live their values. “We felt going pro-bono in the wake of the pandemic was the right thing to do. We trusted that if we focused on being of service and acting with integrity, that it would all work out in the end,” said Travis.

The team is one of the key contributors to Kalos’ success and they are extremely dedicated to their clients, especially during these unprecedented times. “The team continually strives to help our clients grow their business, accomplish their financial goals, and amid the pandemic, complete the transactions which were required to not only survive but to build a stronger business for the future. As a team, we are grateful that we have been able to collectively make a difference,” adds Travis.

Catering Throughout The Pandemic

The pandemic shifted business operations to virtual platforms overnight, with the inability to meet and conduct work in person. As a result, there was rapid digitalization and companies had to survive in the new normal. The only way to sustain in the harsh business environment was to be agile and responsive to the clients’ immediate, and urgent needs to navigate the instant disruption experienced as a result of COVID-19. Kalos was swift in devising a strategy and invested heavily in new technology to cater to their clients remotely. As a boutique firm, Kalos is well structured to execute the proverbial ‘pivot’ and successfully respond to their clients’ needs throughout the pandemic.

Technology has been a boon in the pandemic era and in the coming years, technology will continue to evolve and transform the landscape in which data is synthesized, and accordingly, how deals are analyzed. Alongside the rapid rise of technology, there was also a heightened level of scrutiny on transactions. Mackenzie explains, “Investors and lenders are increasingly wanting to understand risk mitigation in potential ‘sky is falling’ scenarios to assess the defensiveness of the underlying company. The impetus is on the company to demonstrate that they have their t’s crossed and i’s dotted to complete a successful transaction.”

Understanding trends and the business landscape, the team at Kalos helps entrepreneurial clients cover all angles, before approaching the market, to ensure they put their best foot forward. Kalos also leads financial due diligence on the buy-side for various private equity firms and family offices to fulfil the increased need for objective and independent expertise in these turbulent times, where valuations have become more of a question mark. She adds, “We have seen an emergence of sell-side diligence; it has become best practice on larger transactions, and we expect this will become commonplace on mid-market deals over the next 5 years.”