Highlights:Introduction of the 4 key areas (1:08)The pathway to SG&A profitability (4:19)What it takes to succeed in medical (6:25)The importance of building relationships with regulators (9:47)The future of cannabinoids (14:50)Dynamic nature of the cannabis market (18:21)Breakdown of the science and innovation unit of Aurora (19:55)The pathway to EBITDA profitability (24:02)Aurora's next steps (26:07)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteMiguel Martin LinkedInAurora WebsiteAurora LinkedInAurora TwitterFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Highlights:The asset base and background context on Limoneira (3:57)How the company dealt with challenges brought by the pandemic (10:43)How the pandemic changed supply-demand dynamics (13:10)Limoneira's secret weapon (15:46)Why there is increased emphasis on company balance sheets and Limoneira's plans for capital structure moving forward (20:33)How the company is integrating technology to provide a better brand experience (26:31)Limoneira's technical transformation (29:56)What investors need to understand when they look at the company (32:08)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteHarold Edwards LinkedInCalavo Growers WebsiteCalavo Growers TwitterCompass Diversified Holdings WebsiteCompass Diversified Holdings TwitterLimoneira WebsiteLimoneira LinkedInLimoneira TwitterFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Highlights:The benefits of diplomacy in the private equity world (8:08)What Rob looked for in his initial meetings with management teams (11:45)The personal nature of business and private equity (16:42)The origins of Ramy Brook (17:47)The power that comes from people (19:42)You can't be too detailed: what Rob has learned moving from private equity into management (23:06)The importance of your team (25:40)How Rob uses the complexity of his business to drive value (27:20)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteLaird Bieger LinkedInBaron FundsBaron Capital Group LinkedInBaron Funds TwitterMentioned in this Episode:MidOcean PartnersBen & Jerry'sThe Bronfman FellowshipMike MilkenDeutsche Bank (formerly Banker's Trust)Jenny CraigCarter'sWaterpikBushnellTotes - IsotonerAgilex (acquired by Accenture)Thomas' Baked GoodsVitaquestKeith Frankel - MidOcean PartnersTom FordGucciBergdorf'sSaksNieman MarcusBloomingdale'sFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Highlights:Bob's change of career from brokerage to Nasdaq (5:06)The modern services Nasdaq provide (5:52)How Nasdaq provides an exceptional experience to listed companies (10:39)Consolidation and trends among the exchanges (14:17)A look at some of the companies that Bob has counseled (18:39)Next steps in building Nasdaq brand globally (24:18)How Nasdaq approaches the SPAC market (26:52)Bob's personal assessment of SPACs (28:50)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteBob McCooey LinkedInBob McCooey TwitterNASDAQ WebsiteNASDAQ LinkedInNASDAQ TwitterFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Highlights:Looking at the impact of SPACs and recent history of the market (0:41)When the market 'pivoted' and institutions changed their transactional approach (4:06)The changes of structure relating to transaction negotiation (5:52)Don's opinion on regulation (13:30)The benefits of buying SPACs for investors (15:35)Sponsor and target relations (23:29)Media strategy difference between IPO and SPAC (28:02)How to deal with the threat of short-sellers (30:32)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteDon Duffy LinkedInFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

The buy-side has analysts that know your industry, so why don't you know the universe of buyers? Asset managers have different strengths and different strategies. Knowing the players will help you find the best investment partner for your business. It also helps to know what they're looking for. On this episode, Laird Bieger, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Discovery Fund at Baron Capital, gives us a peek behind the curtain of a successful fund. What makes them confident enough to invest in a business, and how can you position yourself to receive that investment?Highlights:The blessing and the curse of investing in small-cap off-the-radar businesses (7:10)Why the Discovery Fund focuses on specific subsectors (12:00)Why Laird loves talking to middle management when researching a company (13:46)The questions Laird asks to discern a company's growth potential (16:37)What is a "shadow list" (17:53)Why you should be more transparent when things are going poorly (19:30)Why it can be beneficial to be conservative in your guidance estimates (20:52)The importance of a bulletproof balance sheet (22:08)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteLaird Bieger LinkedInBaron FundsBaron Capital Group LinkedInBaron Funds TwitterMentioned in this EpisodeRaven IndustriesTradeDeskWingstopHydraFacialFloor & DecorTripadvisorSientraFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Effective sell-side analysts have to be well-versed in their industry. The best are experts on every aspect: consumer behavior, competitive landscape, and industry trends. Nicole Miller is one of those experts. As Senior Research Analyst at Piper Sandler, she has been conducting sell-side analysis for over 15 years, and is an authority on the restaurant and hospitality universe. We sat down with Nicole to talk how the restaurant industry drove value by adapting to COVID, what factors into her picks, and where she thinks equity research is headed.HighlightsHow the restaurant industry has adapted during COVID (3:10)Structural changes that businesses made during the pandemic (6:05)What companies can do to help analysts (9:06)The companies that do the best don't care about their stock prices (12:28)How ESG factors into Nicole's analysis (13:13)How private companies are emerging from the pandemic (15:29)Where does Nicole think equity research is headed? (23:01)Why you should think long-term in a world focused on the present (25:14)LinksICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsitePiper Sandler WebsitePiper Sandler LinkedInPiper Sandler TwitterNicole Miller LinkedInFeedback:If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, andrew@lowerstreet.co

Introducing Welcome to the Arena, launching Q3 2021.For more information, visit http://www.icrinc.com