After 35 years in the CEO seat leading companies for private equity groups, family offices, and public companies, Mike Levison knows exactly what it takes to build
value in a business. But perhaps more importantly, he knows what it takes to realize that value when it’s time to let go.
Following his own exit at the end of 2020, Mike decided to step out of the operating role and into a new kind of leadership: one focused on guiding founders through the complexity of selling their businesses. His mission? Helping owners turn decades of effort into the outcome they deserve.
“I’ve spent my career building and realizing value,” Mike says. “Now I get to help founders do the same with the benefit of hindsight, empathy, and a clear process.”
Mike began his second career advising small and mid-sized business owners on how to prepare for a future exit, sometimes years before they were ready to sell. But it wasn’t long before he saw the need for something more: not just guidance on preparation, but expert support through the entire M&A process. That’s when he joined Raincatcher.
“I looked at several firms,” Mike says. “What stood out about Raincatcher was the professionalism, the systems, and the process-driven approach. I’m an operator by background, and process matters to me. The mix of business operators and investment banking professionals here is exactly the kind of team I wanted to join.”
For Mike, every engagement starts with one mindset: add value. And every deal follows one principle: exceeding client expectations.
That often means helping founders see beyond EBITDA. “A strong bottom line is important,” he says. “But it’s not everything. Value is driven by many factors, from customer concentration to team depth to how well the business runs without you. And those things take time to address. That’s why preparation is so important.”
Mike’s deep operational experience gives him a sharp eye for both risks and opportunities, as well as a realistic view of the M&A journey. “Most sellers underestimate how long it will take and how challenging it can be,” he says. “Part of my role is helping them navigate the sale process with patience and clarity.”
He’s especially proud of the work he does helping business owners reduce their personal burden before a sale. “Many founders carry the full weight of the company on their shoulders,” Mike says. “We’ve restructured teams, standardized offerings, and helped owners let go of the parts they thought only they could do. That alone can change their life long before the deal closes.”
When working with clients, Mike brings not only strategy but sensitivity. He’s experienced the emotional roller coaster of running and selling companies, and he knows how personal it can feel.
“I try to keep my antenna up,” he says. “Check in, read between the lines, sense when stress is rising. Because even though this is business, it’s also incredibly human.”
Outside of work, Mike’s passions are just as multifaceted. He’s a proud grandfather, an avid golfer and pickleball player, a traveler, a volunteer, and a cook. Whether he’s mentoring business owners or his grandchildren, he brings the same thoughtful presence and never-give-up mindset.
Mike’s philosophy, in business and in life, is simple: show up, add value, and don’t cut corners. At Raincatcher, that’s precisely what he does — helping founders move from where they are to where they want to be, with eyes wide open and outcomes they can be proud of.
Ready to turn the business you’ve built into the legacy you want?
Connect with Mike to start building toward a value-maximizing exit — with the insight of someone who’s been there.
