THIRD PARTY OBSERVATIONS

. . . thank you and your organization for your diligence and professionalism in the sale of my business.  Specifically, I applaud your attention to detail and the knowledge . . .  I would not hesitate to recommend Bluestem . . .

Gurkee's, International

. . .  appreciation for all your help in acquiring Gurkee's International.  Thank you for putting it all together . . .  Your help and expertise were very much appreciated  . . .  I have passed your name along to several business owners and will continue to do so in the future.

                                                                                                                                                    DBD Enterprises, LLC

. . . Thank you for your help with the sale . . . Your knowledge and expertise through the entire process was invaluable to us . . .  You are a true expert in the business of selling a business.  We were not aware of the . . .  many aspects of selling a business.  You, on the other hand, were always a little ahead of us to help guide us through the maze.  We are happy with the deal . . .  We unconditionally recommend your services and we are glad we were able to work with you.  You are a man of integrity.

Elder Company, Inc.

I want to express sincere gratitude to you . . . representing SEFCO in selling its business . . . We are extremely pleased with the buyer, the deal terms, and the . . .  relationship. . . The professionalism, competence, and integrity I experienced with . . . Bluestem Resources Group were exceptional.  I wholeheartedly recommend to any business owners they would be miles ahead to engage your services any time they contemplate the sale of their business.  Your commission (although the check was quite large) was free to SEFCO because of added value for us that arose directly because of your knowledgeable handling of the sale . . .

                    SEFCO, Inc.

You did a great job in selling Tulsa Power Products for me.  You worked swiftly, quietly, professionally, and obtained more than you told me to expect.

Mecca Resources, Inc.

The business brokerage industry's reputation is enhanced by the conduct of your organization . . .  thank you for bringing a qualified buyer to the closing table.

Westark Business Brokers

. . . thank you . . . for the excellent job you did in handling the sale . . .  you found buyers who were qualified . . .  knowledgeable . . . and will be very successful . . .  you put forth your best effort at all times and were diligent in handling the details . . .We were very impressed by your integrity and professionalism.

Danita Findahl

. . . a professional in every sense of the word . . . quickly came to an understanding of my company and industry . . .  I appreciated your creative energy  . . .  solutions to challenges  . . .  optimism  . . .   never gave less than his best.

Council Oak Publishing

I appreciate your efforts . . .  and the staff at Bluestem . . .  excellent job of evaluating and presenting the business for sale, and your support during a sometimes difficult evaluation and due diligence process was exceptional  .  .  . Your help was invaluable.

BA Products Co.

. . .  thank you and all the people at Bluestem for the professional manner in which you assisted me in the sale of my business . . .  I received at least 50% more than I would have on my own  . . .  Your personal dedication to this sale was outstanding.  With me every step . . . you worked long frustrating hours to see this sale completed and I appreciate the effort.

Contech Manufacturing, Inc.

. . .  A staunch advocate for manufacturers in Oklahoma . . . brings insight and leadership to our organization and is an invaluable resource to our entire staff in . . .  financial services.

Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence

I contemplated selling for strategic reasons and was apprehensive in choosing an advisor and advocate to help me . . .  Bluestem Resources Group came highly recommended from professional advisors I trust . . .  I came to understand why . . .  I was skeptical, but that was unwarranted.  Your style, approach and results were outstanding.  Each step was straight on target and . . .  far exceeded my expectations; price, timing, quality of buyer . . .  I decided against selling for strictly personal reasons . . . your performance was everything I could have hoped for  . . .   If ever again I look to sell my business, my first call will be to get you on board with me.  I unequivocally recommend any buyer or seller engages your firm and follows your lead from day one.

First Process Steel

I have known John since 1984  . . .  he has been throughout this time a strong source of financial and business advice.  I seek out and respect his judgment greatly  . . . ability to understand the root issue of a business situation and to develop sound plans for exploitation are enviable.

Past President, International Business Brokers Association 

. . .  a letter of thanks, commendation, and recommendation  . . . your skills and insights were instrumental in saving a 3 way sale of business and real property  . . .  reshuffling each party's position and financial situation literally saved the deal.  I would not hesitate to recommend your firm and its services.

Mr. Watt

Found . . . work to be very professional . . . completed . . . timely . . . honest . . . hard working . . . and fair.

Terra Resources, Inc.

After sixteen years in the M&A business, I have worked with hundreds of attorneys, accountants, and M&A intermediaries.  I know of no one I would more heartily recommend . . . than John Johnson.

Hoesly and Company, Inc.

. . .  thank . . . folks at Bluestem for the great work you did on Bryant's  . .  .   acquisition . . .  experience and knowledge of the marketplace were invaluable  . .  .  We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend your firm  . . .   we will  . . .  grow our business in the future  . . .  expect a call.

Bryant Refractory

Congratulations . . . I appreciate your commitment and accomplishments . . . as one of Tulsa's most successful entrepreneurs . . .

Mayor, City of Tulsa

. . .  I am paying your fee for them (his relatives), but told them "Only if they do exactly as you tell them to do!"   If they vary from your advice, they will be on their own.

Tulsa Attorney

Thank you for your dedication and numerous contributions  . . . there will be few who can match your contributions    . . .   you are a true visionary  . . . without your fellowship, support, and forward thinking ways, this Source would not be in the position it is in today  . . .  poised to tackle the future with a firm foundation  . . . Thanks for all you gave . . . your legacy will not be forgotten.    

Mark Putnam, President, The M&A Source.

I admit my initial instincts were to be a bit skeptical of your agendas, but I quickly realized your values did not allow for you to be anything other than straight forward and to seek out the best interests . . . thankful for your guidance and efforts . . . you made the experience more palatable than I could have imagined.

Paragon Associates

Your reliability, explicit honesty and professional energy in the successful contract and sale of my business was highly commendable.  I would be glad to recommend you.

Chevrolet Dealer

. . .  we were extremely pleased with Bluestem's overall performance and its ability to bring the project to a focused and timely conclusion.

Wintershall Corporation

As a buyer we were impressed, not only with the quality of your representation which you brought to your client, the seller, but also with your straightforward and professional manner in which you dealt with us . . .  your calm and reason in the midst of the various crises that inevitably arise in the course of any significant transaction were refreshing.

Ershings, Inc.

I want to express my most sincere appreciation to your firm, and especially to Dick Lillard . . .  in my acquisition . . .  I am extremely pleased with every aspect of advice and support . . . financial and strategic advice . . . insightful . . .  drove home the perspectives that were needed  . . .  stood by my side, never letting go when things looked impossible, and time and time again bringing the parties and advisors back in line when they started twisting off.  Bluestem offers an exemplary professional service of the utmost integrity that I recommend to buyers and sellers of middle market businesses.

Joe Smith Tobacco Company

. . .   thank you for your assistance . . .  As a result . . .  we were able to reach a final resolution  . . .  before the case went to trial. . . Your counsel and advice  . . .  were very instrumental  . . .  our client was very pleased   . . .  I asked our Small Business Loan Department to contact you  . . .  to work with other clients who may need help or expertise in their business planning, appraisals or brokerage areas.

Bank of America

You and your staff were steadfast in working with us  . . .  with four owners and their differing views and objectives  . . .   your style  . . .   was a real comfort  . . .  Our CPA, who once specialized in M&A work and is negative toward business intermediaries, confided you are a true professional and your work was as good as he had ever seen  . . .   We believe that we got the best deal we could ever have expected for our business.  You have a great team.

Harco Fabricators

Bluestem Resources Group did an excellent job in selling my service business  . . .  fees were fair  . . .  did not bother me unless he had a legitimate buyer  . . .  handled the sale of my business very professionally and would recommend them to any prospective sellers of any business.

The Mail Chute

. . .  they surgically sever liquidity constraints, resuscitate cash flows and transplant local enterprise  . . .  ownership  . . .  protecting smaller business owners from larger buyers . . . expertise sets Bluestem apart in the  . . .  merger and acquisition arena.

Tulsa World

After having your firm recommended, I went to about ten of my best contacts in Oklahoma  . . .     I was frankly amazed when all of them were highly complimentary without equivocation  . . .  It was surprising to find such a widely unanimous endorsement of any firm.

Dallas Investment Banker

Even though I was not your client, your role was key in my acquisition  . . .   Bluestem's number is on my refrigerator, if anything happens to me my wife knows to immediately call Bluestem to handle selling our manufacturing business.

Buyer

When you asked if I was satisfied with the value of your services in selling my business, I laughed and reminded you that with one key recommendation, you made me more than the large fee I paid Bluestem for handling the whole sale process for me.   Yes, I was very satisfied!

Oklahoma Ice & Manufacturing