The M&A market can be boring, but everyone has a story. The Investors & Operators podcast is about discovering the stories people were holding back, didn’t know...
Ep. 127: Jared Greer, Director of Portfolio Company Operations at QHP Capital
Topics:Common Challenges for CEOsHow to Empower Teams to Take OwnershipHaving an Athlete Mindset in Business...and so much more.Top TakeawaysAdapt skills to scale. In the early days, success often comes from being hands-on and wearing multiple hats. But as the business grows, Jared points out that leaders need to evolve their skill sets and shift focus from execution to strategy. It’s not always easy to let go of control, but if you don’t, you risk becoming the bottleneck in your own business. Scaling isn’t just about growing the company—it’s about growing as a leader.Set clear priorities and goals to stay focused. Jordan shares how a culture focused on delivering commitments—rather than chasing every shiny object—keeps his team on track. Jared adds that defining goals as an “X on the map” gives everyone direction. This clarity cuts down on the stress of constantly shifting focus and ensures resources are used wisely to deliver consistent results.Sustain performance with predictable systems and routines. Just like endurance athletes rely on cycles of intensity and recovery, businesses thrive on consistent systems and routines. Jared and Jordan agree that clear workflows and documented processes empower teams to take ownership and keep things running smoothly, especially during periods of growth or leadership changes.
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Ep. 126: Liz Weindruch, Managing Director at Barings
Topics:Challenges for Emerging ManagersOutreach & Pitch Deck Best PracticesHow to Develop a Competitive Edge...and so much more.Top TakeawaysMake resilience a core part of your fundraising strategy. With liquidity bottlenecks from stalled exits and fundraising timelines now stretching to 24 months, emerging managers need to manage expectations internally and externally. Liz advises setting realistic goals, communicating transparently, and fostering a partnership mindset within your team to maintain morale and focus.Cold emails are powerful when done right. A strong cold email is concise, personalized, and scannable. Liz suggests skipping one-pagers and delivering value directly in the email, with your deck attached for more details. Start by referencing shared connections. Then, use the email to highlight your strategy, track record, and key differentiators.Include lessons from failed deals into your pitch. Liz observes that few managers address underperforming investments upfront, even though LPs will uncover them during diligence anyway. Proactively explaining what went wrong and how it refined your approach builds trust and demonstrates a growth mindset.Start with curiosity, not a pitch. Liz emphasizes that a great first meeting begins by understanding the LP's priorities. Instead of jumping right into your presentation, ask questions like, "What are your investment goals?" or "What gaps in your portfolio are you looking to fill?" This approach builds rapport and ensures your pitch aligns with their needs.
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Ep. 125: Ray Tsao, CEO at Probitas Partners
Topics:Hurdles for Emerging ManagersRole of Team Continuity in FundraisingHow to Time Global Outreach ...and so much more.Top TakeawaysInvert the problem to build a stronger story. Ray mentions Charlie Munger’s inversion technique as a powerful tool to reveal blind spots in your storytelling. It works by flipping the question you’re trying to solve: instead of asking, "How do I raise the fund?" ask, "What would make investors say no?" The answers might include unclear data, a strategy that’s not unique, or a lack of trust in the presenter.Cultivate a growth-oriented mindset in your team. Ray and Jordan discuss how the dynamic nature of the equity market demands agility. For a team, this means always seeking new knowledge and being prepared to pivot with shifts in investor preferences, sector trends, and economic conditions. This adaptability can give emerging managers a competitive edge over established competitors.Invest in preparation to make a strong first impression. As Ray points out, initial pitch meetings can often feel like cold business transactions, but charisma and persuasiveness help turn these interactions into real connections. Investors commit to ventures based on trust in the person presenting—not just the numbers.
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Ep. 124: Doug Locke, CEO at SSI Strategy
Topics:Business Growth StrategiesEquity-Based Incentives to Retain Top TalentHow to Delegate as a Leader...and so much more.Top TakeawaysEstablish a "North Star" vision to guide your growth strategy. Instead of trying to expand in all directions at once, grow by adding services in adjacent areas that complement your core offerings. This approach positions you to serve clients more comprehensively without spreading your resources too thin or diluting your brand. Doug emphasizes that a clear, overarching goal keeps you grounded and ensures that each initiative supports your core mission. Adjust your service model to anticipate and fulfill client needs. Doug and Jordan discuss that clients may not always know what could add value to their business. This creates an opportunity for proactive service. By analyzing client feedback and observing how they use your services, you can identify areas for expansion and offer tailored solutions. When your offerings align with the client's long-term goals, you strengthen relationships and create new avenues for growth.Focus on high-impact activities to drive growth and scale effectively. Doug and Jordan know from experience that entrepreneurs often need help with delegation. To scale successfully, leaders need to let go of the “do-it-all” mindset and recognize their limitations. Doug uses a simple strategy to assess his productivity: reviewing each day in terms of wins and losses. These regular check-ins help him minimize distractions from tasks that don’t move the business forward. Strong leadership ultimately means empowering your team to bring your vision to life: set the direction, let them execute, and refine as needed.
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Ep. 123: Jim Waskovich and Doug Kennealey, Founders and Managing Directors at Princeton Equity Group
Topics:Transitioning Into Your First Fund The Importance of Due DiligenceChoosing the Right Partner...and so much more.Top TakeawaysStay resilient and purpose-driven when raising your first fund. Raising a fund is challenging, with a high rejection rate. Jim and Doug emphasize the need for persistence, confidence, and experience from deal-by-deal fundraising. Equally important is a clear “why.” Independent sponsors must convey their mission and unique value to stand out to investors in a crowded marketDue diligence goes both ways. Whether you’re investing or selling, conducting thorough due diligence is essential. Just as PE firms scrutinize potential deals, sellers should research prospective partners. Talking directly with CEOs and founders who’ve worked with these firms offers valuable insights. Jim and Doug recommend asking about the firm’s value-add, leadership stability, specific support examples, and performance in tough times. Aligning expertise and cultural fit builds a strong foundation for a successful, long-term partnership.Build partnerships on a foundation of communication and a shared vision. Jim and Doug emphasize that aligning on core goals from the start smooths out challenges. Their mutual respect and collaborative approach enable efficient decisions, keeping them in sync. Open, transparent communication has strengthened both their professional partnership and personal bond.
The M&A market can be boring, but everyone has a story. The Investors & Operators podcast is about discovering the stories people were holding back, didn’t know how to tell, or forgot about. The goal is simple: fresh, authentic storytelling to bring people together in the M&A community.
With over 1M organic views and counting on LinkedIn, 51 Labs is disrupting the M&A market through the use of videography and content creation. In a market that longs for authenticity, 51 Labs helps strengthen your brand and tell your story. From concept to distribution, we strategize and produce thoughtful content to be used across a multitude of channels, to help you stand out in an otherwise traditionally boring market.
New episodes every other Thursday at 6:00am Eastern.
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