Middle Market Growth Conversations

In part two of his Dec. 8 interview, RSM US LLP Chief Economist Joseph Brusuelas talks with MMG Editor in Chief Deborah Cohen about the global implications of tax reform, the outlook for the United States’ free trade agreements, and the books he’s been reading recently.

Denis O'Sullivan, an ACG National Capital board member who provides financial planning services to company founders, has played a key role to shine a spotlight on emerging technology companies in the Washington, D.C., area. He shares some of the exciting companies featured at the Washington Technology Showcase, the growth of analytics and big data as a focus area for government services firms, and the challenges and opportunities facing private equity firms that try to enter this market.

Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist of RSM US LLP, speaks with MMG Editor Deborah Cohen about his firm’s recent Real Economy report, which looks at how the middle market is performing compared with the wider economy. He also weighs in on the most recent U.S. jobs report, the stock market, tax reform, cryptocurrencies and more. This is the first half of Brusuelas’ interview, recorded on Dec. 8 and released as a Middle Market Growth Conversations bonus episode. The second half of the conversation will be released in the podcast feed in January.

Dave Neiswander, president of World Bicycle Relief’s U.S. operations, discusses the nonprofit’s mission to deliver bikes to students, health care workers and others in developing countries in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Dave also talks about how the organization’s fast-growing for-profit subsidiary, Buffalo Bicycles, is generating revenue and creating jobs across the globe.

Natasha Granholm, a partner with PwC who works with private equity clients, discusses the provisions she's watching as the GOP tax reform bill moves its way through Congress, as well as the technological innovation happening in tax departments across organizations.

Melissa Gonzalez, a retail futurist and founder of The Lion'esque Group, talks about creating transformative experiences for customers with physical pop-up stores, like IRL in Chicago, that integrate online-only brands with in-person shopping. Rather than lamenting the decline of brick-and-mortar stores, Gonzalez points to new opportunities for retailers, consumers and real estate owners alike.

The co-founder and CEO of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based craft brewer Founders Brewing reflects on how the industry has changed since the brand began to take off in 2008, and how the company has been able to maintain its cult following and independent identity while benefitting from outside capital.

Neal Levine of LivWell Enlightened Health on the Cannabis Industry by Middle Market Growth Magazine

Employee stock ownership plans, or ESOPs, make good business sense and could help address middle-market companies' talent challenges, according to Mary Josephs, founder of Chicago-based investment bank Verit Advisors. And while private equity has traditionally been cautious in dealing with ESOPs, that's starting to change.