Investors & Operators

In this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with Kim Smith, Chief Capital Formation Officer at Andalusian Credit Partners, to discuss her new role and dive deeper into her personal story. Together, they discuss:Her Dad’s JourneyKim’s Personal Health ScareInvesting Time with Veterans...and so much more.Top TakeawaysTime is more valuable than money. Kim and Jordan stress that time holds greater value than money. While financial assistance is great, the time spent with veterans, providing support, guidance, and mentorship, is often more meaningful and impactful. They highlight that being there for veterans as mentors and coaches, listening to their experiences, and fostering personal connection and mentorship is more beneficial than any monetary donation. Advocating the importance of genuine human interaction and support in assisting veterans in their post-military journey. The importance of giving back. When looking back on her upbringing, Kim emphasizes how her parents taught her the significance of sharing blessings with others. She explains that giving back includes even the simplest gestures like sharing a smile or extending a helping hand. Self-reflection on guiding values. Reflecting on a health scare, Kim sheds light on the importance of prioritizing self-care. She shares how pushing herself too hard, both personally and professionally, nearly led to a health crisis, forcing her to reevaluate her values and priorities. This experience served as a wake-up call, not only prompting her to make a change professionally but also to be more present in her everyday life.  Through this time, she gained a newfound appreciation for life and to never take anything for granted.

In this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with Chris Antonello, Owner and Operating Partner at Plexus Capital to discuss the different aspects of deal creation, offering his insights and advice to those looking to either secure capital or structure deals. Together, they discuss:Types of Operating PartnersProfessionalizing a CompanyValue Creation After a Deal...and so much more.Top TakeawaysWhere am I going? Where do I want to be? When talking about the key questions all business owners should be asking themselves, Chris encourages them to reflect on where they currently stand and identify strategies for increasing their businesses’ value. He emphasizes the significance of not only working on the day-to-day task, but taking time to step back and evaluate the business’ worth and growth potential. “You can’t throw the ball where the guy is. You’ve got to throw the ball where the guy is going to be.” Chris uses an analogy of a quarterback throwing the ball to where the receiver will be, stressing forward-thinking in organizational setup for future success and growth. Highlighting middle market buyers expectations, Chris shows the importance of professionalizing your company and teams to boost its EBITDA and overall value.Chasing the American Dream. Chris shares the joy he finds in seeing the hard work and value creation of entrepreneurs and being able to partner with them to scale their businesses. He spotlights the importance of shared values in these partnerships and highlights the satisfaction Plexus feels from seeing the growth and success from these partnerships.

Scott Abbott, CEO of Five Star Franchising, shares insights on navigating business success and family life. Topics include post-sale challenges, finding purpose after selling a business, peer-to-peer coaching, and empowering employees. Learn about the dynamics of achieving balance as a CEO and a father, and the importance of communication in franchising.

In this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with Jeanne Hecht, CEO & Executive Chairwoman of Lexitas. With over 25 years of professional experience, Jeanne brings a wealth of knowledge in all things life science, pharma, and healthcare IT. In this episode, she shares the invaluable lessons she’s learned during her tenure as a board member of 17 diverse companies. Together, they discuss:The Management System’s ImpactLessons in Team ManagementA Board Member’s Role...and so much more.Top TakeawaysPatterns. Insights. Action. Jeanne suggests shifting focus from 50+ data slide decks to emphasizing patterns, insights, and actionable steps during your next board presentation. Presenting these key elements allow for board members to actively contribute to problem-solving and offer valuable recommendations, fostering a more productive and collaborative meeting. Know your employees strengths. Whether they excel in people-building, finance, interviewing, industry knowledge, or mentoring, aligning their strengths with appropriate job placement significantly enhances their effectiveness. Jeanne emphasizes the importance in building these connections to ensure a more successful and impactful approach when placing employees into different roles and management positions.

In this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with Fred Malloy, Managing Director of Harken Capital. Fred Malloy, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Harken Capital, has over 15 years of experience in private equity and raising funds I through III. In this episode, he walks us through his background at Harken Capital and everything about first-time funds and emerging managers. Together, they discuss:First-Time Funds Fundraising Do’s and Don’tsFirst-Time Funds Fundraising Checklist...and so much more.Top TakeawaysDon’t launch until you're ready. Fred highlights the importance of having a strong team, a solid track record, and a refined strategy in place before launching your first fund. Even if it means delaying by a couple months or even a year, it is better to have a well-defined strategy before launching to ensure your fund’s long-term success.Keep the flow of good news. “You’re not going to get the fund raised on today’s news.” Fred emphasizes that securing funding is not based on the current narrative of your firm but on what it looks like 6 months from now. He suggests that following up with continuous good news is crucial for a first-time fund’s success. Build meaningful relationships. Harken Capital has been able to better connect with future partners by sending video updates rather than generic email blasts. Fred shares his successes and emphasizes the importance of putting in that extra effort, even if it requires a bit more work. It’s valuable in breaking through the noise and establishing meaningful connections.

On this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with Caroline Young, CEO & Founder of Craftsbury Consulting. With 20+ years of private equity experience, Caroline has been a driving force in hundreds of successful exits. In this podcast, she walks us through her extensive career in private equity and shares how she transitioned that experience to found Craftsbury Consulting. Together, they discuss:Career Development Advice to Women in Finance Management Presentation CoachingStrategic Approaches to Exit Planning...and so much more.Top TakeawaysDefining success at different life stages. Whether it's excelling in a career, finding work-life balance, or maintaining meaningful connections, Caroline emphasizes the importance of redefining success based on your current life stage. Success isn't a one-size-fits-all achievement but requires continuous reflection and transformation.Treat challenges as opportunities. Caroline emphasizes a positive mindset towards challenges, viewing them as opportunities for growth and learning. By reframing difficulties as chances to overcome obstacles, she highlights the transformative power of embracing adversity especially in the entrepreneurial journey.

On this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with Steve Weiss, Founder of MuteSix. Steve began his entrepreneurial journey when he was just 17 years old. In this podcast, Steve guides us through his journey of founding and selling MuteSix to Dentsu Aegis Network in 2019. Together, they discuss:How he made his first dollarGrowing up and overcoming anxiety The mortgage business: making millions and losing it all...and so much more.Top TakeawaysJust experiment. Start first, figure it out later. Steve explains that when starting a business, there’s a solution to every problem. You just have to be willing to take the time to experiment and figure it out.Face your fears head-on. From standup comedy, to traveling the world, to re-entering the extreme volatility of entrepreneurship, Steve shares how the only way to overcome your anxiety is to do everything that scares you. The journey is more impactful than the destination. Steve shares that the journey of testing yourself, your own resolve, the way you react, is the most impactful journey that you'll go through as a professional.

Vern Davenport, Partner at QHP Capital, shares insights on innovation and adaptability in entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the need to stay ahead of the curve and swiftly adapt to market dynamics. Davenport also highlights the importance of visionary leadership and fostering a sense of purpose within teams. The podcast covers the elements of an effective management system, setting clear goals, reflecting on mistakes, advice for early career individuals, and implementing defined roles and responsibilities.

JON FINGER and JEFF BROOKER from McGuireWoods discuss the challenges faced by independent sponsors and emerging managers in fundraising. They also talk about the impact of being turned down by an LP, common mistakes made by emerging managers, and the future of independent sponsors. They emphasize the importance of team building, targeting the right LPs, and building relationships.

On this episode of Investors & Operators, Jordan sits down with JOHN HUHN, Managing Partner at Compass Group Equity Partners. Together, they discuss:How Compass Group successfully raised Fund II of $255MHow to alleviate LPs' concerns about the J curve as emerging managers raising funds How to address LPs’ questions on ESGCompass’s playbook ...and so much more.###John Huhn brings a 30-year track record of success in private equity, entrepreneurism and strategic consulting to his leadership of Compass Group. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in more than 75 transactions representing over $3 billion in enterprise value. Prior to founding Compass Group, John launched and led HBM Holdings, a family office focused on diversifying its core holdings. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development for Aegion (NASDAQ: AEGN), where he was responsible for corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions, joint-ventures and strategic alliances. His earlier experience also includes serving as Managing Principal of an international consulting firm, where he provided strategic and organizational consulting to Global 1000 customers. Additionally, John is a graduate of the University of Illinois, where he received degrees in Engineering and Business Administration.