The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

Founding and Managing a Private Equity Firm, Highs and Lows with Brad Nathan - Playbook Series

Aug 13, 2024

Brad Nathan, a seasoned founder of a private equity firm, shares his journey from inception to managing a successful firm. He discusses the initial struggles with capital raising and team assembly, revealing key strategies that turned failures into triumphs. Brad delves into the importance of company culture and leadership in navigating growth, while also recounting the highs and lows of his career. He offers valuable lessons for aspiring founders and shares insights on emerging trends in private equity, all backed by personal anecdotes.

45:59

Episode guests

Brad Nathan

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Raising capital was a significant challenge for Brad Nathan, emphasizing the complexities involved in managing financial resources effectively in private equity.

Fostering a strong company culture focused on ethics is crucial, as it aligns interests and contributes to long-term success in managing a private equity firm.

Deep dives

Challenges of Raising Capital

Raising capital is highlighted as one of the biggest challenges faced by private equity firms. Initially, the speaker recalls struggling to secure even small amounts of funding, which started with personal sacrifices like remortgaging his house. Over time, as the firm gained traction, the need shifted from small fundraising efforts to seeking larger amounts necessary for significant investments. This evolution underscored the importance of understanding the complexities involved in managing capital effectively.

Intro

2min

Navigating Global Private Equity

10min

Navigating the Complexities of Private Equity Management

5min

Navigating Ethics and Cash Flow in Business

12min

Navigating Challenges in Private Equity Growth

5min

Navigating Private Equity Challenges

12min

Welcome to the Private Equity Podcast! In this episode, Alex Rawlings welcomes back Brad Nathan, a seasoned private equity firm founder, to dive into the intricacies of starting and managing a PE firm. Brad shares first-hand experiences, detailing the triumphs and tribulations he's encountered and offering a comprehensive guide for navigating the competitive private equity landscape.

Episode Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction of today’s topic and guest, Brad Nathan.

[01:15] Exploration of Brad’s early career and the motivations behind starting his private equity firm.

[03:30] Challenges faced during the initial setup of the firm, including capital raising and team assembly.

[06:45] Strategies Brad implemented to overcome initial failures and secure the firm’s first successful deals.

[10:20] Key decisions and strategies that fueled the firm’s growth and expansion.

[13:50] Insights into the recruitment, culture building, and leadership styles vital for a successful PE firm.

[18:30] Stories of the highest highs and lowest lows in managing the firm.

[22:10] The most valuable lessons learned throughout Brad’s career and advice to aspiring private equity firm founders.

[25:40] Predictions on emerging trends and the evolution of the private equity industry.

[29:00] Listener Q&A session with Brad on specific challenges and advice on various scenarios in private equity.

[33:15] Summary of key insights shared by Brad and closing remarks.

You can connect with Brad Nathan on LinkedIn by visiting his profile here.

Thank you for tuning in!

To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.

Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.

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