The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection

Joe Basrawy, Managing Director at Partners Capital, provides an insightful dive into the Limited Partner (LP) mindset. He highlights common mistakes private equity firms make, like overfundraising and poor diversification. Joe shares essential strategies for successful co-investing, explaining how LPs avoid adverse selection and ensure alignment. With real-world examples, he outlines the four key pillars of top-performing PE firms: strategy differentiation, value creation, ownership dynamics, and strong leadership—all vital for attracting investor commitments.

Jeremiah Wanzell, a seasoned consumer brand executive and former leader at Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein, shares his expertise as an operating partner focused on consumer brand growth. He discusses the critical role of operating partners in private equity, emphasizing the need for them to be involved from the start of deals. Jeremiah highlights the importance of a strong omnichannel strategy and shares insights on the shifting consumer market, including notable case studies like Capizio. His perspective on value creation goes beyond finances, showcasing the power of real operators.

William Corner, a Partner at Prelude Growth Partners, shares insights from his impressive journey through Goldman Sachs and TowerBrook Capital, now focusing on high-growth consumer sectors. He discusses critical investment lessons, emphasizing the importance of understanding product and execution risks. William highlights the value of exceptional talent, distinguishing between great and average leaders. With a passion for the consumer industry, he explores the benefits of committed insights over being an industry 'tourist' while reflecting on successful strategies for private equity growth.

Greg Moran, a multi-exit founder and Managing Partner at Evergreen Mountain Equity Partners, shares his insights on the mindset of elite founders. He highlights key mistakes in private equity, such as underestimating leadership and culture. Moran introduces his proprietary archetype model, defining traits like creative resilience and strategic accountability that successful founders possess. He also discusses a free assessment tool aimed at helping founders demonstrate their abilities under pressure. This conversation merges practical investment tactics with an exploration of entrepreneurial psychology.

John Dwyer, Founder of The Institute of WOW, specializes in direct response marketing aimed at driving measurable results. He discusses the revolutionary concept of getting prospects to fall in love with products through direct engagement. John explains the untapped potential of incentives in marketing and how businesses often overlook these strategies. He also emphasizes the importance of creating high-value content and shares a successful case study involving a dental Facebook contest that generated over 1,000 leads in just a week.

Brett Hickey, CEO and founder of Star Mountain Capital, shares his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Canada to leading a billion-dollar firm. He discusses critical lessons in private equity, emphasizing active management over passive strategies. Hickey delves into the opportunities presented by an aging population, highlighting the importance of operational expertise. He reflects on navigating economic downturns, the value of cash flow, and fostering a collaborative culture in investment firms, offering invaluable insights for aspiring leaders.

Brian Reavell, founder of R-Squared Advisors and a veteran in private equity, shares vital insights on go-to-market strategies. He uncovers common mistakes private equity firms make, like overestimating internal talent and misaligning incentives. Brian emphasizes the importance of customer segmentation and an effective talent evaluation process. With engaging case studies, he reveals how deep assessments can transform underperforming companies into scalable success stories. Tune in for actionable frameworks that can reshape growth trajectories in private equity!

David Rowley, Operating Partner at Diversis Capital and seasoned technology expert, shares his insights on the intersection of AI and product strategy. He emphasizes the critical need for alignment between leadership and investment theses to avoid failures. David outlines an adaptive product strategy that leverages data and suggests innovative 'cocktail party' pods for agile development. He also highlights how AI is revolutionizing product development and scaling innovation across portfolio companies, urging firms to cultivate a culture of experimentation.

🎙️ The Private Equity Podcast — Episode with Graham Bachman, Hidden River Strategic CapitalGuest: Graham Bachman, Managing Director & Head of Business Development at Hidden River Strategic Capital Host: Alex RawlingsIn this episode of The Private Equity Podcast, Alex Rawlings is joined by Graham Bachman, who shares how Hidden River Strategic Capital is reshaping lower middle-market investing with structured capital—a hybrid approach that sits between debt and equity, allowing business owners to retain control while unlocking growth opportunities.Graham unpacks how Hidden River’s capital solutions serve founders not looking for full buyouts or rigid debt structures and instead prioritizes long-term partnerships with existing management teams. He also offers valuable insights into deal origination, the firm's philosophy on professionalization, and why education and consistency are key in a fragmented funding landscape.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and guest introduction 00:29 – Graham’s background and why he joined Hidden River 01:56 – Hidden River’s investment focus and fund status 02:52 – Gaps in the lower middle-market funding landscape 03:47 – What is structured capital and why it matters 06:08 – Use cases for Hidden River’s structured solutions 07:32 – Supporting founder-led businesses without taking control 09:08 – How hands-on is Hidden River in company operations? 11:33 – How does Hidden River help with leadership development? 12:59 – Differentiation through relationship-first deal sourcing 15:51 – Graham’s reading list and media recommendations 17:22 – How to contact Graham 17:51 – Final thoughts and episode close💡 Episode Highlights:Structured Capital Defined: A tailored blend of debt and non-control equity designed to meet the needs of owners who don't want to sell or over-leverage.Flexible Approach: Hidden River typically backs existing management teams and helps them scale without stepping in to control day-to-day operations.Unique Deal Sourcing: In a buyout-dominated ecosystem, Hidden River differentiates through education, consistency, and relationship building.Founder-Friendly Philosophy: The firm supports founders who want capital to grow—not exit—and builds customized investment solutions to match.📚 Graham’s Recommended Reads:Thinking in Bets by Annie DukeThe Colossal Failure of Common Sense by Lawrence G. McDonaldGood to Great by Jim CollinsHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieHoward Marks' memosThe Wall Street Journal📨 Connect with Graham: Email: gbachman@hiddenrivercap.com Website: www.hiddenrivercap.comRaw 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/ 🌐 Visit Raw Selection: www.raw-selection.com Looking to grow your team? Check out our Hiring Guides for proven strategies, templates, and best practices to make smarter hires. 

Otis Spencer, a former U.S. Army logistics officer turned private equity CEO, shares his insightful journey from military to business leadership. He discusses key pitfalls in private equity, emphasizing the dangers of buying the wrong companies and the importance of effective diligence. Otis advocates for data-driven decision-making and highlights methodologies like Six Sigma and Kaizen for improving operations. He also covers the significance of assembling strong boards and the challenges in executing successful exit strategies for sustainable growth.