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Club Conversation with Tim Hanson, Making Millions in Boring Businesses

4 snips
Jan 26, 2026
Tim Hansen, a Private Equity investor at Permanent Equity and author of the Unqualified Opinions newsletter, shares his path from The Motley Fool to buying and operating small firms long-term without debt. He discusses Permanent Equity’s unlevered approach, assessing free cash flow and quality of earnings, recruiting in Columbia, and building durable, culture-driven businesses. Short, engaging stories punctuate the conversation.
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ANECDOTE

Life-Changing Last-Minute Phone Call

  • A last-minute call from the White House Office of Personnel Management landed Tim Hansen a presidential writer interview and changed his career path.
  • That early break led him to The Motley Fool and eventually into investing and Permanent Equity.
INSIGHT

Long-Term Funds Beat Forced Timelines

  • Permanent Equity avoids leverage and uses a 27-year fund structure to prevent being a forced actor.
  • That allows focus on long-term operations and reduces pressure from debt-driven timelines.
INSIGHT

Why Private Markets Offer Edge

  • Tim saw rising market efficiency and momentum dominating returns, which reduced public-market edge opportunities.
  • That pushed him toward private markets where creative deal structuring and post-close involvement add value.
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