In this insightful episode, Nate Edgerly, CEO of Enzo Group Inc., discusses his journey from CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to a seasoned private equity investor and executive leader in the hospitality industry. Nate shares valuable insights on leadership, long-term investing, and what makes hospitality businesses thrive or fail.
Key Takeaways:
- Nate’s journey from CPA to CEO, highlighting his pivotal experiences in private equity and operating roles.
- Lessons learned from running a business, enhancing empathy, and effectively partnering with leadership teams.
- What separates exceptional CEOs: empathy, people-focus, and creating a supportive culture.
- Common private equity mistakes: prioritizing short-term gains over long-term strategic growth and cultural investment.
- The decision behind Enzo Group's unique approach to raising capital—democratizing access beyond institutional investors.
Notable Mentions:
- Book Recommendations:
- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
- Warren Buffett’s investor letters
- Leadership insights by Simon Sinek, Daniel Pink, John Maxwell
- Mastery by Robert Greene
- Brands Admired:
- Ladybird Taco, Original Chop Shop, Cava, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Golden Corral
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Nate Edgley
- 02:30 – Nate’s early career and transition to private equity
- 06:10 – What Nate learned from operating roles
- 10:00 – Qualities of exceptional CEOs
- 13:15 – Mistakes private equity firms make and Nate's long-term investment philosophy
- 17:20 – Enzo Group’s unique capital-raising strategy
- 21:45 – Why choose the volatile hospitality industry?
- 27:30 – Critical success factors for restaurant businesses
- 32:00 – Brands admired by Nate and reasons behind their success
- 38:00 – Nate's insights on executive search firms
- 42:00 – Influences, recommended readings, and learning resources
- 45:20 – How to connect with Nate Edgley
Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.
🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
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