Benefits Of Forging With Us
Hammer & Forge was founded with a singular mission: to empower home service business owners as they plan for the next chapter. Our team—Brandon Vaughn, Ben Surdi, and Dan VanderVen—brings decades of experience, industry knowledge, and a commitment to honoring the legacies of blue-collar entrepreneurs. When you partner with us, you’re not just selling your business; you’re securing your legacy with people who care.
Brandon Vaughn
Co-Founder
Brandon Vaughn’s Journey to Hammer & Forge
Raised in a family business, Brandon Vaughn’s journey in the home service industry started young. His father founded a window cleaning business in 1978, and by the age of 13, Brandon was working full-time alongside him. At 18, he struck out on his own, launching his own business and diving headfirst into entrepreneurship.
2012
When his father was diagnosed with heart disease, Brandon took over the family business, scaling it from zero to 70 employees.
Accolades: Awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year and featured on the Inc. 5000 list for outstanding growth.
2018
Sold the family business to private equity, experiencing firsthand the challenges of a traditional exit—an experience that sparked his mission to find a better way for owners like himself.
Commitment to Preserving Legacy
Brandon’s dedication to legacy and community grew even stronger after witnessing the changes that private equity brought to his former company. He saw the importance of an exit that truly respects the heart and soul of a business. In 2019, Brandon founded Concord, where he coached over 20,000 home service business owners, helping them grow an average of 77% year-over-year.
With Hammer & Forge, Brandon aims to offer business owners a reliable and respectful alternative, giving them the opportunity to transition their business to trusted hands while preserving its core values.
Dan VanderVen
Co-Founder
Dan VanderVen’s Journey to Hammer & Forge
Dan was raised by an entrepreneur who built a successful business through sheer grit and personal effort. The company depended heavily on its owner, who served as the primary decision-maker and operational hub. Seeing this firsthand, Dan learned that while ownership brings pride, it can also create friction when too much flows through one person. This shaped his belief that strong businesses are built on teams and systems, not owner dependency.
Though business always interested him, Dan chose to forge his own path. Immediately after high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served overseas, gaining discipline, leadership experience, and perspective that later shaped his approach to building and leading businesses.
2012
Driven by the belief that proximity to great people accelerates growth, Dan relocated to Arizona. There, he intentionally surrounded himself with high-level entrepreneurs and operators, learning firsthand how strong leadership, systems, and accountability create scalable businesses.
2016
Dan built a site services company centered on recurring customers and efficient execution. By prioritizing automation and clear processes early, the business became a dependable, turnkey operation that could run without the owner being involved in every decision.
2019
Dan launched a vacant land investment business built around efficiency and delegation. By assembling a global team and installing clear processes, he created a repeatable engine for buying and selling land at scale without being involved in every transaction.
2020
After building and scaling the site services business he founded in 2016, Dan sold the company, marking his first business exit. Going through the process himself gave him a practical understanding of what makes a transition work for owners, employees, and the business as a whole. The experience sharpened his focus on helping other business owners exit in a way that protects what they’ve built.
Commitment to Preserving Legacy
With earlier ventures completed and transitioned, Dan now focuses his efforts on acquiring and growing service companies. He recognized that many owners aren’t just selling a business, they’re handing over years of hard work, relationships, and identity.
Through this work, Dan developed a deep appreciation for deal structures and transition strategies that create clarity, continuity, and confidence for everyone involved.
Hammer & Forge was built on this principle: honoring the legacy of business owners while strengthening their companies for the future. The goal is simple—create businesses that run and scale, while protecting the people, values, culture, and reputation that made them successful in the first place.
What Sets us apart?
The Hammer & Forge Difference
At Hammer & Forge, we’re not just acquiring businesses; we’re investing in legacies. Our team respects the dedication it takes to build a company in the trades, and we’re committed to ensuring a smooth, respectful transition for each business we partner with.
Our Commitment to You
When you work with Hammer & Forge, you’re partnering with a team that understands your business’s true value and legacy. We bring experience, empathy, and an industry-leading track record to every step of the process.
Ready to Preserve Your Legacy?
If you’re considering a change, let’s talk. We’ll help you understand your options, maximize your business’s value, and secure a lasting legacy.
