Think Like an Owner
Think Like an Owner is a business podcast hosted by Alex Bridgeman, co-owner of Durable Trades Collective. Each episode explores how ambitious CEOs build and grow successful companies, often focusing on the garage door and home services industries. The show offers practical insights and strategies for business owners and leaders looking to scale their operations.
Episodes
Carrie Kelsch on Transformative Cultures at A Plus Garage Doors - EP.296
Alex Bridgeman and Carrie Kelsch explore the journey of building A Plus Garage Doors from a side venture during the 2008 mortgage crisis into a $55 million multi-location operation. Kelsch shares how she initially opened the business to provide future jobs for her children, then found herself pulled deeper into operations as the housing market collapsed. The conversation traces key inflection poin
Josh Melton on Growing into Service at Easy Lift Door Company - EP.295
Josh Melton joined his uncle's garage door business in 2008 during the recession with zero interest in garage doors. Eighteen years later, he's president of Easy Lift Door, overseeing three locations across California and Nevada. Alex Bridgeman and Josh Melton explore how the company has evolved from paper scheduling boards thumbtacked to cork walls to modern field service software, and how EasyLi
Jason Reid on Compounding Advantages by Focusing Local - EP.294
Jason Reid discusses his journey from general manager of a remodeling company to building a multi-company construction portfolio across Oregon. In his mid-forties, Reid stepped back to reassess his career, ultimately deciding to pursue rapid growth through acquisitions rather than organic expansion. Think Like an Owner host Alex Bridgeman and Reid explore how he scaled from purchasing a small comm
Patrick Lange on Selling Your Service Business - EP.293
Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern speak with Patrick Lange, a business broker specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies. Patrick shares how he transitioned from selling Main Street businesses to focusing exclusively on the trades after buying and running his own heating and air company. He explains why most small trade businesses struggle to sell and what drives value in these service
David Williams on Long-Term Ownership in HVAC - EP.292
Alex Bridgeman and David Williams explore the journey of building Advantage Services Group from a single HVAC business in Central Oregon into a multi-state operation targeting $1 billion in revenue. Williams shares how he transitioned from consulting in New York to acquiring his first business at 27 with no prior HVAC experience, and why he moved across the country to pursue an entrepreneurial pat
Ty Greneaux on Acadiana Garage Door's Family Legacy - EP.291
Alex Bridgeman and Ty Greneaux explore the human side of building and scaling a family business on Think Like an Owner. Ty shares how his late father-in-law Frank transformed not only Acadiana Garage Doors but also Ty's entire approach to leadership and life. What began with an awkward garage door opener installation evolved into a mentorship that shaped Ty's core philosophy: serve others, treat p
Hans Wright on Transforming Windsor Door - EP.290
Alex Bridgeman and Hans Wright explore the transformation of Windsor Door from a struggling regional garage door company into an integrated platform spanning manufacturing, installation, and service. Hans shares how his family acquired the business when it had declined from $250 million to just $7 million in revenue, then rebuilt it by focusing on transparency, vertical integration, and compound v
Brian Johnson on Refocusing Pioneer Overhead Door - EP.289
Alex Bridgeman and Brian Johnson explore the operations and customer experience challenges of running a garage door company. Johnson, who transitioned from 20 years in commercial lending to acquiring Pioneer Overhead Door in 2023, discusses the realities of buying a business with minimal office infrastructure and no prior industry experience. They discuss: - Building a training facility to ensure
Matt Weber on Developing Authentic Values at Alpha Overhead - EP.288
Matt Weber, a second-generation garage door business owner, joins Alex Bridgeman on Think Like an Owner to share his journey from working in his family's construction supply company at age ten to eventually acquiring and expanding Alpha Garage Doors across Montana. After nearly a decade away exploring different paths, including pursuing a history education degree, Matt returned to the family busin
Alex Johantgen on Setting an Ambitious Vision at Rise and Shine - Ep.287
Alex Bridgeman and Alex Johantgen explore the journey of building Rise and Shine Garage Doors from two personal trucks to a fleet of over 20 vehicles projected to do $10–11 million in revenue. Johantgen shares how he and his business partner started the company in 2015 after selling a home and cashing out a 401(k), built early traction through door-to-door networking and Google reviews, and later
Building the AI-Native Enterprise: Leadership, Software, and Compounding with Mahesh Rajasekharan - EP.286
Mahesh Rajasekharan has spent over twenty-five years in supply chain and leads Cleo, a category leader in AI-driven supply chain orchestration serving more than five thousand customers globally. In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman, Rob Southern, and Mahesh explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping enterprise software and what it means to build an AI-native company. Mahesh shares
Crafting an Enduring Team with Dustin Winter - Ep.285
Alex Bridgeman and Dustin Winter explore the realities of building and scaling a garage door business in Minneapolis. Dustin shares how he transitioned from fifteen years in commercial banking to buying Metro Garage Door in 2020, drawn by the industry's stability, low cyclicality, and strong pricing control. The conversation covers how Metro has grown from 18 to 30 employees while more than doubli
Right to Win EP.6: Building an Edge in Multi-Site Healthcare with Zach Jones - EP.284
Zach Jones discusses his experience acquiring and growing a gastroenterology practice in the Washington, DC area as the final episode of Think Like an Owner's Right to Win series. Alex Bridgeman and Zach explore how search entrepreneurs can build successful healthcare platforms through organic growth rather than M&A, and why this strategy creates unique competitive advantages against both physicia
Trevor Nix on Growing Multi-Gen Family Garage Business in Portland - EP.283
Alex Bridgeman and Rob Southern sit down with Trevor Nix, a third-generation garage door business owner in Portland, to explore what it takes to build and sustain a multi-generational family company. Trevor shares how his grandfather nearly quit after the first difficult year—until his grandmother convinced him to give it one more shot—and how that decision shaped nearly four decades of business.
Andy Felice on Garage Door Marketing for Ambitious Owners - EP.282
Alex Bridgeman and Andy Felice explore the nuances of marketing in the garage door industry on Think Like an Owner. Felice explains how he transitioned from working with hundreds of clients across various industries to specializing exclusively in garage door companies after a consulting engagement with Tommy Mello's A1 Garage Doors. The conversation examines the operational realities of home servi
Connecting the PNW at SeaPort Airlines with Kent Craford - EP.281
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Kent Craford to unpack the evolution of SeaPort Airlines and the lessons learned from building and rebuilding a regional aviation business. Kent shares how a simple frustration with travel time between Portland and Seattle sparked the original idea, and how early missteps, capital constraints, and strategic pivots shaped the company's trajectory. The
Right to Win EP.5: Better Boards with Chris Hendriksen and Aaron Perrine - EP.280
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman is joined by Aaron Perrine and Chris Hendriksen to explore how boards can become a true competitive advantage for entrepreneurs. The conversation dives into the evolving role of boards within the ETA ecosystem, highlighting the growing demand for strong governance as the space expands. Drawing from recent industry discussions and their own experience, Aaron and Chri
Crafting your Life and Business with Matt Kuehlhorn - EP.279
Matt Kuehlhorn joins Alex Bridgeman to share the unconventional journey behind building Kooler Garage Doors and the lessons he has learned about focus, leadership, and craftsmanship along the way. Matt explains how a business that started almost by accident evolved into a disciplined operation centered around service, systems, and intentional growth. The conversation explores how entrepreneurs mat
Future of Home Services with Workiz CEO, Didi Azaria - EP.278
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Didi Azaria to explore how firsthand experience in the trades led to building one of the leading automation platforms for home service businesses. Didi shares his journey from working as a locksmith in Los Angeles to founding a business intelligence company that scaled to hundreds of millions in ARR, and eventually launching Wor
Right to Win Series EP.4: AMA with Lindsey Gray and Aaron Perrine - EP.277
In the fourth episode of the show's Right to Win series, host Alex Bridgeman is joined by Aaron Perrine and Lindsey Gray for an AMA-style conversation on search, investing, and operating small businesses. Drawing on real examples from recent deals, they unpack what separates strong searches from stalled ones, how investors evaluate searchers, and where value is actually created post-acquisition. T
Building Trusted Brands with Dan Antonelli of Kickcharge Creative - EP.276
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Dan Antonelli to unpack why branding is the foundation of sustainable growth for home service businesses. Dan shares the long arc of building his firm through specialization, the discipline of saying no to the wrong work, and how focusing on being "five-mile famous" can dramatically reduce reliance on paid advertising. The conve
Right to Win EP.3: Learning to Fly with Jordan Huibers and Alvin Wong - EP.275
Alex Bridgeman is joined by Alvin Wong and Jordan Huibers on Think Like an Owner, exploring their long-standing partnership, the focused search that led them to Advanced Aircrew Academy, and the lessons they've carried into running the company. They walk through the origins of their collaboration, how a shared passion for aviation shaped their search thesis, and the discipline required to pursue o
What You Learn After 40 years of Leading Through Change with T.J. Coombs - EP.274
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with T.J. Coombs, an experienced operator and turnaround expert with decades of leadership across industries including building products, manufacturing, and distribution. T.J. shares lessons from his 40-year career helping companies navigate transitions, execute turnarounds, and build strong leadership teams. He discusses his philoso
Right to Win Series EP.2: Building Trust as Second-Time CEO with Dan Calano - EP. 273
In this second installment of the Right to Win series on Think Like an Owner, host Alex Bridgeman sits down with Dan Calano to unpack the lessons learned from his journey as a two-time search fund entrepreneur. Dan reflects on his first acquisition of Utility Cloud, navigating challenges like intellectual property disputes and customer concentration, and how trust, discipline, and process shaped h
Matt Risinger: The New Ways to Sell Building Supplies to Builders - EP.272
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, Alex Bridgeman sits down with homebuilder and content creator Matt Risinger to discuss how the builder-supplier relationship is evolving and how technology is reshaping the construction industry. Matt shares the story of founding Risinger Build and Build Show Network, detailing how content creation transformed his business and his approach to education withi
Right to Win Series EP.1: Patience and Persistence with Kyle Baer - EP.271
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman sits down with Kyle Baer to reflect on his journey from Accruent to Datacor and now leading Crystal. Kyle shares the lessons he learned sourcing acquisitions, scaling a software business, and ultimately transitioning into his first CEO role. Their conversation highlights the importance of patience, building trust, and embracing the challenges of leadership, while al
Lessons from a Decade of Growth and Acquisitions - Janelle Heuton - Co-Founder @ Heiton Partners - Ep.270
In this episode, Alex Bridgeman talks with Janelle Heuton about her decade-long journey helping transform a small GIS company into a scaled software business serving local governments nationwide. Janelle shares how she joined GIS Workshop by chance, quickly rose to COO, and partnered with CEO Joe Heieck to drive strategic change, including shifting from custom development to SaaS products, complet
From the PGA Tour to the Trades - John Peterson - Founder of Westoplex Garage - EP.269
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, host Alex Bridgeman sits down with John Peterson for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building a service business from the ground up. John traces his path from professional golf—where he saw firsthand the parallels between sports and entrepreneurship—to flipping houses during COVID and ultimately founding Westoplex Garage, a
![Richard Emery - Building Private Jet Sales Teams [Replay]](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/1/0/9/6/10967f5030d29f41d959afa2a1bf1c87/94b329ce43df8b6b98460e84addb8209.jpgixlibrails-4.3.1max-w3000max-h3000fitcropautoformatcompress)
Richard Emery - Building Private Jet Sales Teams [Replay]
Alex (@Aebridgeman) is joined by Richard Emery (@Richardemery2). In this episode, my guest is Richard Emery, who has held various notable positions in business aviation sales at brands like Canadair, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Hawker Beechcraft. Richard shares his experiences in different sales cultures, managing high-performing teams, and participating in brand turnarounds. The discussion covers
Evolving Dynamics of Engine Programs with Delray Dobbins - EP.268
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Delray Dobbins, Director of Sales at Engine Assurance Program (EAP), to dive into one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business aviation: jet engine maintenance programs. With a career spanning Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, and now EAP, Delray brings a deep and practical perspective on the engine lifecycle—and what operators
Governance and Family Harmony in Business (From EP.267)
Watch the full episode with Dave Whorton here - https://youtu.be/KPcgK3lm-mw
Building Evergreen Companies with Dave Whorton - EP.267
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Dave Whorton, founder of Tugboat Institute and author of Another Way, to explore a different path for entrepreneurs—one built on permanence, purpose, and long-term thinking. After an early career in venture capital and tech startups, Dave walked away from the high-growth, high-exit model to focus on what he calls "Evergreen companies." We tal
![Henry Schuck - Creating Ambitious Teams at ZoomInfo - EP.266 [Replay]](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/2/7/5/8/2758b8a6ba8221ac16c3140a3186d450/70fa6a6d9ed9182d17c1852980636133.jpgixlibrails-4.3.1max-w3000max-h3000fitcropautoformatcompress)
Henry Schuck - Creating Ambitious Teams at ZoomInfo - EP.266 [Replay]
My guest today is Henry Schuck, founder and CEO at ZoomInfo, one of the most successful data businesses in recent times with a market cap today around $12B. I've been looking forward to this podcast for a long time because Henry has proven to be an effective founder, acquirer, and public CEO capital allocator, which is a rare combination of skills to find in a single CEO. He's thought very deeply
How Flying in America Lost it's "shine"
From Episode 265 with Erika Armstrong. Watch the full video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Nc2vgTLhbYA
A Tour of Aviation Safety with Erika Armstrong - EP.265
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Erika Armstrong, a pilot, author, and aviation expert whose career has taken her from corporate jets to major airlines to the university classroom. Erika shares stories from her early days in aviation, from sleeping on crash pads with seven other pilots to flying charter flights into some of the most challenging airports in the country. We d
AI Breakthroughs in the Distribution Sector (From Ep.264)
Watch the full episode here - https://youtu.be/GTxWeRXap9Q
Katie Poehling Seymour - Inside a 5th Generation Distribution Giant - EP.264
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Kathryn Poehling Seymour, President and CEO of First Supply, a fifth-generation, family-owned distribution business with over 700 employees and 53 locations across the Midwest. We cover everything from leading a 128-year-old company through generational transition to building one of the largest distribution centers in company history. Kathry
Hill Hamrick on Relentless Prioritization (From Episode 263)
Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/UTNl0xeSgZY
Build Series EP.6: Relentless Prioritization with Hill Hamrick - EP.263
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Hill Hamrick, Co-CEO of Central Storage & Warehouse, to explore how he and his team run a complex, high-volume cold storage business that ships hundreds of millions of frozen food products across North America every year. We dive into how Hill and his co-CEO, Sam, transitioned from first-time owners into strategic leaders of a 24/6, labor-int
Crazy Requests in Aircraft Interiors w/ Trey Bryson
From Episode 262 of Think Like an Owner. Watch the full episode here.
Running Commercial and Bizav MROs at Scale with Trey Bryson - EP.262
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Trey Bryson, an aviation industry veteran with deep experience across business aviation, commercial MRO, and aircraft completions. Trey shares how his career has spanned everything from customizing luxury VIP jets—including designing in-air hot tubs and modular gyms—to founding Jet Works, an independent MRO business. We dive into: The major
Integrating Jet Management and Maintenance at Davinci Jets with Eric Legvold and Trey Darr - EP.261
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with Eric Legvold and Trey Darr of Davinci Jets to explore the business of private aviation management and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. We dive into how Davinci Jets was built from the ground up, the evolution of private jet management, and why the company has remained profitable every year since its founding. Eric shares how
5X Airline Founder David Neeleman on Building Ambitious, Customer-Obsessed Airlines - EP.260
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I sit down with David Neeleman, one of the most accomplished entrepreneurs in aviation history. With a track record that includes founding five airlines—Morris Air (sold to Southwest), WestJet, JetBlue, Azul, and now Breeze Airways—David has built transformative companies across three different countries and reshaped the industry at every step. Given my work
Talent Acquisition - From Interview to Close (From Ep.259)
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bmq6URHPLJ0
Build Series EP.5: The Role of Talent in High Performing Teams with Jake Dancyger and Cyrus Symoom - EP.259
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, we're tackling one of the most critical elements of scaling a business—building a world-class talent engine. Joining me are Jake Dancyger and Cyrus Symoom, co-CEOs of Clariti, who have spent the last five years growing their company from 20 employees to over 120. We break down the entire talent lifecycle, from sourcing and hiring top performers to coaching,
High Performing Sales Highlights from Ambitious CEOs and CROs - EP.258
In this episode of Think Like an Owner, I'm diving into one of the most crucial aspects of scaling a business—building and optimizing high-performing sales teams. To bring you the best insights, I've pulled together wisdom from past conversations with some of the sharpest minds in the game, including Tim Strickland, Mahesh Rajasekharan, Michael Coscetta, Dennis Dresser, and Ben Tagoe. We're break
Team Management Principle & Balancing Payoffs
From Episode 257. Watcht the full episode here: https://youtu.be/x1utcQzmxjI
Build Series EP.4: Identifying and Prioritizing Value Levers with Sam Hyde & Steuart Botchford - EP.257
Ep.257: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Steuart Botchford (@Botchford) and Sam Hyde. In this episode, I sit down with Sam Hyde and Steuart Botchford to dive into their journey of acquiring and growing Northstar Fertility, a leading surrogacy and egg donation agency. Sam and Steuart share their insights from building and managing the business, including how they identified value levers early on a
Cory Bengtzen on Customer Journeys and Aircraft Management in Private Aviation
From Ep.256 with Corgy Bengtzen. Get the full episode here.
The Economics of Flying Private - Cory Bengtzen - Ep. 256
Ep.256: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Cory Bengtzen (@Cory-Bengtzen). In this episode, I sit down with Cory Bengtzen, founder and CEO of SkyShare, to explore his entrepreneurial journey from the auto industry to building a vertically integrated private aviation business. Cory shares how his passion for aviation inspired him to leave the car business and start an airplane brokerage with no prio
Savneet Singh on Equity Comp and Incentives
From Ep. 255 with Savneet Singh. Get the full episode here.
Savneet Singh - Urgency and Culture - EP.255
Ep.255: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Savneet Singh (@SavneetS). In this episode, I sit down with Savneet Singh, CEO of PAR Technology, to explore the interplay between urgency, culture, and leadership in building a successful public company. We discuss how Savneet has embedded a sense of urgency as a core value at PAR and how it drives decision-making, team alignment, and outcomes across the
Internal Communication Best Practices & Aligning Leadership Teams - Tim Wade
From Ep.254 of Think Like an Owner. Listen to the full episode here.
Tim Wade - Ensuring Safety at FlexJet - EP.254
Ep.254: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Tim Wade (@Twade889). In this interview, we dive deep into safety in the aviation industry with Tim, the Director of Environmental Health and Safety at FlexJet. We discuss the current safety landscape, Tim's role, and the importance of a Safety Management System (SMS). The conversation highlights the transition from the 60s' and 70s' rough aviation safet
M&A Highlights from Ambitious CEOs - EP.253
Welcome to a special holiday episode of Think Like an Owner! For this unique experiment, we've compiled highlights, concepts, and invaluable ideas from some of our most popular episodes, creating a "mega episode" filled with wisdom from multiple accomplished guests. The focus? M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions)—a topic that captivated our audience throughout the year. This episode features clips from
Savneet Singh - Leading a Public Turnaround at PAR Technology - Ep.252 [Replay]
Ep.252: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Savneet Singh (@SavneetS). My guest today is Savneet Signh, CEO of PAR Technology, a billion-dollar market cap publicly traded point of sale software business serving the restaurant industry. I've been following Savneet's career since college when he went on Invest Like the Best talking about acquiring software businesses through his holding company Tera.
Richard Emery - Building Private Jet Sales Teams - EP.251
Ep.251: Alex (@Aebridgeman) is joined by Richard Emery (@Richardemery2). In this episode, my guest is Richard Emery, who has held various notable positions in business aviation sales at brands like Canadair, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Hawker Beechcraft. Richard shares his experiences in different sales cultures, managing high-performing teams, and participating in brand turnarounds. The discuss
Craig Fuller - Acquiring Flying Magazine and Building a Media Playbook - Ep.250 [Replay]
My guest on this episode is Craig Fuller. Craig is the founder of FreightWaves, a data and media business focused on freight and supply chains. FreightWaves is a VC backed company with $19 million in revenue with editorial content, a data product, job board, video content, and multiple podcasts. Prior to FreightWaves, Craig had no background in media but has built quite a playbook for media busine
Craig Picken - Recruiting Top Aerospace Execs - EP.249
My guest on this episode is Craig Picken, an executive recruiter for C-suite executives in the aviation industry. We discuss key trends in aviation recruiting, top firms' strategies to attract and retain talent, and how small companies can have recruiting advantages over larger competitors. We also touch on the importance of having an external-facing CEO and fostering a dynamic, fast-moving organ
Build Series EP.3: Profitable Growth with Kush Das - EP.248
My guest for this third episode in our Build Series is Kush Das, CEO of Ennoble Care, to talk about profitable growth. Or as he calls it, sustainable growth; something that goes to the heart of his mission to serve patients with the best possible care alongside a disciplined and motivated team. Kush and I discuss how they measure return on investment internally to remain profitable, how keeping t
Jim Derry - "Culture is the lowest level of behavior you'll tolerate" - EP.247
My guest on this podcast episode is Jim Derry, the CEO of Field Fastener, a $180 million fastener business based in the Midwest with a unique vendor-managed inventory system. We discuss two main topics: culture and maintaining a multi-generational family business. Jim shares insights on creating a measurable, data-driven culture where talented people thrive and the importance of values in definin
Integrating MSP and Cyber at Worklyn Partners - EP.246
Episode 246: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Johnny Lieberman (@JohnnyLieberman) and Zack Miller (@ZackMiller). In this episode I am joined by Johnny Lieberman and Zack Miller, co-founders of Worklyn Partners, about their approach to integrating cybersecurity and IT services for middle-market companies. We discuss their multi-acquisition strategy and the integration of these services under one p
Jim Lindstrom - Lessons from Being a 3x CEO - EP.245
Ep.245: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by James Lindstrom (@James-Lindstrom). The episode features Jim Lindstrom, a seasoned CEO with experience in leading companies like IES, Providence Service Corp and Verdian. The discussion covers his experiences with accelerating company growth, executing turnarounds, managing balance sheets, and strategic value creation. Jim shares insights on governance, op
Collin Hathaway - Big Ambition, Dogged Simplicity - EP.244
Ep.244: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Collin Hathaway (@CollinHathaway). I'm excited to welcome Collin Hathaway back for his third appearance on the podcast. Collin has a wealth of experience in the home services industry and company operations, and today we dive into his recent exit from Flint Group, which he sold to General Atlantic. We get into what he might have done differently, his beli
Build Series EP.2: Upleveling as CEO with Rob Southern and James Bergeron - EP.243
In this second episode of the Build Series, I speak to Rob Southern and James Bergeron about their experiences and strategies for upleveling as CEOs. We discuss their journeys in acquiring and running companies, the importance of executive coaching, and actionable habits and practices that contribute to continuous personal and professional growth. We also delve into distinguishing signal from nois
Steve Swinney - Scaling Kodiak Building Partners - EP.242
Ep.242: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Steve Swinney (@steveswinney). My guest today is Steve Swinney, founder and CEO of Kodiak Building Partners. The company, which started in 2011 with the acquisition of Barton Supply in Denver, has grown to 45+ acquisitions and $3 billion in sales by 2024. We cover Steve's extensive experience in building product distribution, Kodiak's diversification strat
Ed Manfre - Leadership is an Inside Job - EP.241
Ep.241: Alex (@Aebrigeman) is joined by Ed Manfre (@emanfre). My guest today is Ed Manfre, a business leader, executive coach, and co-author of Lead Through Anything alongside recent guest Dustin Seale. He has two decades of experience helping CEOs and C-Suite leaders align themselves and their companies for success. He's served leadership roles at firms Heidrick & Struggles and Spencer Stuart as
Build Series EP.1: Sarah Rowell on Utilizing Your Board - EP.240
Ep.240: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Sarah Rowell (@sarahrowell). This is the first episode in our new series called the Build Series, in partnership with Pacific Lake Partners and Trilogy Search Partners. Over the six Build Series episodes, we will explore how CEOs can accelerate their company's growth trajectory, as well as their own professional growth as leaders. The Build Series continue
Heritage Holding's Alex de Pfyffer & Ross Porter - EP.239
This is my second episode hosting Alex De Pfyffer and Ross Porter, founders of Heritage Holding, on the podcast. A lot has happened since their first episode in late 2022. They've built 7 platforms through 25 acquisitions and recently raised a committed fund for the next five platforms. They've done excellent sourcing, but I also admire their ability to build a strong team at Heritage that allows
Jeff Homer - Music Schools and Consolidation Tactics - EP.238
My guest today is Jeff Homer, who's pursued one of the most interesting consolidation theses I've ever heard, music schools and more recently dance studios through his company, Ensemble Performing Arts. And his pace is incredible, acquiring essentially a school per month for five years, totaling 70 acquisitions and integrations. The number of reps he's had is incredible, and has given him a huge a
Justin Watt - The Case for Automations, AI, Software - EP.237
My guest today is Justin Watt, co-founder of Switchboard, which helps businesses with automation and AI tools to become more effective and efficient companies. He's the smartest person I know when it comes to automation, and I've been really excited to record this episode with him laying out his philosophy for tools and how to approach streamlining key internal processes. We talk about hype vs re
Chris Hoffmann - Building Scale in Home Services - Ep.235 [Replay]
Episode 235: Alex Bridgeman (@aebridgeman) is joined by Chris Hoffman (Chris-Hoffman). My guest, Chris Hoffmann, is the President and CEO of Hoffmann Brothers, a home services business based in St. Louis. Hoffmann Brothers have scaled from $10 million in 2015 to over $100 million in revenue in 2023. We talk about how that journey happened, their experience building executive teams, investing in p
Auren Hoffman - Growing Great Data Organizations - Ep.234
Ep.234: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Auren Hoffman (@auren). In this episode, I sit down with Auren Hoffman, CEO of SafeGraph and partner at Flex Capital. The conversation centers around Auren's experiences in running data companies and his insights into the data as a service market. We discuss the slower-than-expected growth in the buyer's market for data, and what it takes for data companie
Sara Heston - Stanford Search Fund Study 2024 - Ep.232
Ep. 232: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Sara Heston (@sara-heston). My guest today is Sara Heston. We discuss the latest findings from the 2024 Stanford Search Fund Study, which reviews trends from the past two years. Key topics include rapid growth in the Search Fund industry, changing searcher backgrounds such as 24% of searchers not having an MBA, return trends, drivers of outsized returns,
Rick Ruback & Royce Yudkoff - Think Big, Buy Small - Ep.231
Ep.231: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff. My guests today are Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, both Harvard professors for entrepreneurship through acquisition and co-authors of the most popular and well-known piece of content in search, the HBR book How to Buy a Small Business which I would consider the bible of the search fund world. It's one of the first resources I
Anand Sanwal - Developing Insurgent CEO Instincts - Ep.230
Ep.230: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Anand Sanwal (@anandsanwal). My guest today is Anand Sanwal, founder and former CEO of CB Insights, which provides data and intelligence on private markets, companies, and investors. Anand recently hired a new CEO for CB Insights and stepped into a chairman role. Anand ran the company for 14 years and developed a unique perspective on leading that I was re
Brett Kelly - Building a Global Accounting Firm with Permanent Capital - Ep.228
Ep.228: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Brett Kelly (@BrettKPG). My guest on this episode is Brett Kelly, founder and CEO of Kelly Partners, a publicly traded accounting, tax, and advisory firm with global ambitions and a roughly $350m market cap. Since 2006 they have done 80 acquisitions and developed a strong playbook for building best-in-class accounting firms with a focus on high-net-worth c
Dustin Seale - Lead Through Anything - Ep.227
Ep.227: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Dustin Seal (@dustinseale). My guest today is Dustin Seale, co-author of Lead Through Anything alongside Ed Manfre and managing partner at executive search and leadership firm, Heidrick & Struggles. Dustin has spent his career working with high-performing CEOs from over 70 countries to help transform teams and find the right successors for CEOs and other C
A.J. Wasserstein - Living a Happier Life - Ep.226 [Replay]
Ep.226: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by A.J. Wasserstein. My guest on this episode is A.J. Wasserstein. Early in his career, A.J. founded Archives One, a physical records management business he operated as CEO for 17 years before selling to Iron Mountain. He then acquired One Source Water, which was eventually sold to Water Logic in 2016. He then began teaching at Yale School of Management where
Anthony Bramante - Modernizing Municipal Control Systems at In Control - Ep.225
Ep.225: Alex (@aebridgeman) is joined by Anthony Bramante (@AnthonyBramante). My guest today is Anthony Bramante who leads In Control, an automation control systems integrator primarily serving water and wastewater facilities at small and medium-sized towns across the Northern Midwest. Control systems aren't exactly top of mind for me every day, but after chatting with Anthony I'm seeing them ever
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Busted Open
Deadline: White House
Crickets Corner
