LeverUp ™️ : A podcast on Private Equity and Entrepreneurship
Paul W. Swaney III
Welcome to LeverUp™️: Empowering Your Entrepreneurial JourneyLeverUp™️ is more than a podcast—it's a catalyst for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to redefine the American Dream. While the conventional dream might be homeownership, we believe true fulfillment comes from owning your business and mastering the art of entrepreneurship.Diving deep into the realms of banking, consulting, and private equity finance, LeverUp® is designed to arm you with the knowledge, strategies, and insights needed to navigate the challenging yet rewarding path of entrepreneurship. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your venture, our podcast provides actionable advice, expert interviews, and a treasure trove of resources aimed at accelerating your journey.At the heart of LeverUp® is our commitment to disrupt the prevailing trend of overpriced and underdelivering entrepreneurship courses. Our initiative is founded on the principles of "Inorganic Entrepreneurship," a mentorship-driven approach that democratizes access to essential business knowledge and fosters a community of like-minded individuals.By subscribing to LeverUp®, you'll unlock access to:Exclusive interviews with industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs.Expert financial advice tailored to the unique challenges of entrepreneurship.Comprehensive resources designed to propel your business forward.LeverUp® is not just a strategic partner for career advancement; it's a movement dedicated to building a new generation of American entrepreneurs. It's time to move beyond the cottage industry of entrepreneurship courses that add no value and embrace a more viable, impactful career path.Subscribe to LeverUp® today and take the first step towards unlocking your potential as an entrepreneur. Let's embark on this journey together and transform your aspirations into reality.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 5, 2025 • 58min
The Fast Eat The Slow: How Execution Speed Drives Entrepreneurial And Private Equity Wins With Laurence Haughton
Execution speed isn't just a tactic — it's the ultimate competitive advantage. In this episode, Laurence Haughton, author of It's Not the Big That Eat the Small...It's the Fast That Eat the Slow, shares how his relentless drive for speed transformed his career — from an engineering tech to a best-selling author. We dive into why moving fast crushes inertia, ignites momentum, and pushes organizations forward, while slow, cautious decision-making keeps teams stuck. If you've ever felt frustrated by "admiring the problem" instead of solving it, this one's for you. Let’s break the speed barrier!Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT
15 snips
Feb 5, 2025 • 39min
Finding Success In Private Equity With Ryan Heckman
Ryan Heckman, Co-Founder and CEO of Rallyday Partners, shares his journey in private equity and the influence of his military family background. He discusses leadership versus management, advocating for purpose-driven growth that emphasizes culture and transparency. Heckman reflects on the importance of genuine relationships in CEO roles within private equity and offers advice for newcomers in the field. He also highlights how literature, particularly 'The Greatest Salesman in the World,' has shaped his personal and professional growth.
Jan 29, 2025 • 33min
Mastering Business Restructuring With Lars Vaule
Business restructuring often starts with stabilizing chaos and rallying people behind a shared vision. Paul Swaney sits down with turnaround expert Lars Vaule to explore the art of fixing struggling companies and building a thriving culture. From demoralized teams to cash flow dilemmas, Lars shares actionable insights and inspiring stories about leading through tough times. He also delves into balancing urgency with strategy, the power of creative solutions, and why great leadership means creating opportunities for every team member to grow. If you have ever wondered what it takes to transform a failing business, this conversation is for you.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT
Jan 22, 2025 • 43min
Entrepreneurial Insights With Taylor Kenerson
Entrepreneurship thrives at the intersection of passion, purpose, and perseverance. In this engaging conversation, Paul Swaney dives deep into the entrepreneurial insights of Taylor Kenerson, an athlete-turned-business innovator redefining success on her own terms. From lessons learned on the softball field to building startups that embrace creativity and AI, Taylor shares how values like kindness, communication, and authenticity guide her journey. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or navigating your own career pivots, this episode is packed with relatable wisdom and actionable takeaways. Join us as we explore the mindset and strategies behind turning vision into impact.Follow us on Twitter @privateinequity @leverupRT
Oct 16, 2024 • 54min
Unlocking Private Equity Success: John Caple's Path From Bain To Hidden Harbor [S2:E7]
In this episode of LeverUp®, we sat with John Caple, the Founding Managing Partner of Hidden Harbor. With over twenty years of private equity investment and operational experience, John shares his journey from his early days at Bain & Company, where he advised Fortune 500 companies and led private equity due diligence, to his pivotal role at H.I.G. Capital and Hidden Harbor Now at Hidden Harbor, John chairs the firm’s Investment Committee and leads the strategic direction of the firm, focusing on driving complex business turnarounds and achieving top-tier investment returns. Whether you're a seasoned professional in private equity or an entrepreneur looking for guidance, this episode offers actionable strategies for success. To connect with John Caple, visit Hidden Harbor Capital at https://hh-cp.com/ or reach out via his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-caple-969345/.
Oct 2, 2024 • 42min
Making The Switch From Insurance To Entrepreneurship [Season 2: Episode 5]
Today we sit down with Skylar Romines, founder of ATW Advisors and author of So She Did. In this episode, Skylar shares her 17-year journey in commercial insurance, how she built a thriving consulting firm, and the challenges she faced transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship. We dive deep into career-building strategies for women, the importance of networking, personal branding tips, and how to overcome work-life balance struggles. Skylar also reveals how she cultivated her successful personal brand on social media, particularly on Twitter, which helped her land clients and grow her business. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, women in business, and professionals looking to level up in their careers.To connect with Skylar Romines, follow her on Twitter at @SkylarRomines or find her on LinkedIn under Skylar Romines.Check out her book So She Did available on Amazon!
Sep 25, 2024 • 47min
From MLB To Millions: Ryne Ogren’s Leap Into Business [S2:E4]
In this episode of the Lever Up Podcast, we sit down with Ryne Ogren, a former professional baseball player turned private equity investor. After a successful career as a shortstop and catcher with the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles, Ryne made a bold pivot into the world of digital marketing and inorganic entrepreneurship. He shares his unique journey from the baseball field to acquiring and scaling digital marketing agencies in Tampa, Miami, and Philadelphia. We dive deep into his experiences in deal sourcing, business acquisitions, and overcoming challenges in B2B marketing, along with his strategies for building successful businesses. Listen to Ryne’s insights on transitioning from sports to entrepreneurship, the importance of consistent marketing, and how his baseball background shaped his private equity approach. Key topics include:Ryne Ogren’s journey from professional baseball to digital marketing investmentsHow Ryne sourced and acquired three digital marketing businesses in 12 monthsThe importance of sales and marketing skills in small business acquisitionsThe impact of B2B marketing, lead generation, and SEO on business successLessons from deal negotiations and client management in private equityConnect with Ryne Ogren: Follow Ryne on X at @RyneOgren and check out his website https://www.ryneogren.com
Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 5min
The Science Behind Effective Marketing Strategies [S2:E3]
In this episode of the LeverUp® Podcast, we welcome John Maher, founder of Victoriam Group and expert in performance marketing. John breaks down the art and science of data-driven marketing and shares how he helps businesses, particularly in the financial services and lending sectors, achieve sustainable growth by optimizing their marketing efforts and reducing customer acquisition costs.With over a decade of experience, John has worked with a range of businesses, from small startups to large financial institutions, helping them run hyper-targeted marketing campaigns and significantly improve their lead generation processes. Throughout the episode, John shares his HTHG (Hyper Target Hyper Growth) strategy, explaining how it’s helped clients increase conversions, drive revenue, and scale without adding unnecessary overhead.In addition to his marketing expertise, John also opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, from starting his first business at 16 to facing personal challenges along the way. He discusses the lessons learned from overcoming adversity and how resilience played a crucial role in shaping his success.
Sep 11, 2024 • 49min
Secrets To Startup Success: $5 Billion Raised With Scott Kelly [S2: E2]
In this episode of Lever Up, we sit down with Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and host of VC Fast Pitch. Scott takes us through his incredible 30-year journey, starting as a runner on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to founding Black Dog Venture Partners, where he has helped startups raise over $5 billion and guided 30 successful exits. We discuss the value of assembling a strong team, how to prepare for raising capital, and why scaling a business at the right time can be the difference between success and failure.Scott shares his unique insights on entrepreneurship, from surviving the dot-com boom to scaling tech companies and even dabbling in the music industry. Whether you’re an early-stage entrepreneur, looking to scale your startup, or simply interested in the venture capital world, this episode offers a plenty of practical advice.Key PointsHow to build a resilient team that can scale with your business.The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when raising seed capital.Why scaling too fast can be just as dangerous as growing too slow.The evolving venture capital landscape and how to navigate it successfully.Get in Touch with Scott KellyWebsite: Black Dog Venture PartnersSocial Media: @BlackDogCEO on all platformsVC Fast Pitch: VC Fast Pitch
Sep 4, 2024 • 60min
Art, Wealth, And Cold Calls: Michael Picardi’s Path To Success [Season 2 Episode 1]
In this episode of LeverUp, we sit down with Michael Picardi, a mid-career investor relations professional with a fascinating background. From starting his career in fintech with Masterworks and transitioning to private wealth at Alliance Bernstein, Michael shares valuable insights into the world of finance and investor relations.Join us as Michael discusses his experiences working in a fast-paced fintech startup, the challenges of cold calling, and the importance of building strong client relationships. He also offers advice for those interested in breaking into the finance industry, particularly in investor relations, and shares tips on networking, career growth, and managing time in a high-pressure environment.Whether you’re a finance professional, an aspiring investor relations expert, or just interested in hearing about career journeys in the financial world, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advice.Key Topics:Investor relations career pathFintech startup challengesMasterworks art investment platformTransitioning to private wealth managementBuilding a book of businessNetworking and relationship managementTips for success in finance and investor relationsConnect with Michael:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfpicardi
