Podcasts about middle market

Join Corey Quinn and Simon Bowen—Founder and CEO of The Models Method—to learn how to use visual models to drive agency growth. Simon shares how The Genius Model helps agency founders simplify complex ideas, improve sales, and avoid internal dilution that can lead to commoditization. Simon believes that business is not just about selling products or services—it's about solving real problems with a noble purpose. If you're an agency founder looking to refine your strategy and grow your business, this episode offers high-value insights you can apply right now. Episode Highlights: - The Genius Model Every Founder Needs — Why visual models could be your secret weapon for business growth. - Scaling Without Dilution — How to avoid losing your unique selling point as you grow. - The Key to Powerful Sales Conversations — Why clarity in messaging is crucial to standing out in a crowded market. - Lead Generation Control — Why founders must own this to drive business success. - Selling as a Force for Good — How to reframe sales as a noble profession that solves real problems. - The Middle Market is Disappearing — Why you need to pick a clear market position to thrive. - Building a Scalable Team — How to ensure your team is aligned with your vision for sustainable growth. The resources mentioned in this episode are: - Learn more about The Models Method: https://www.modelsmethod.com - Connect with Simon Bowen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm - Learn more on Simon's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@simonbowen_mm - Escape the generalist trap with my best-selling book “Anyone, Not Everyone” and discover how to become the go-to agency in a vertical market https://www.AnyoneNotEveryone.com

In this episode, Kristina Talkowski, head of commercial lines, middle market for Nationwide, shares takeaways from a recent survey of small and medium sized businesses. Among the range of risk management issues covered are economic concerns, supply chain disruptions, cyber threats and regulatory compliance issues. She also discusses gaps in risk preparedness for middle market businesses, industry opportunities, and more.

Nick Rose, CFO of Enable, joins CJ to discuss one of the most overlooked yet powerful levers for growth, trust, and alignment in B2B commerce: rebates. They talk about how rebates are often dismissed as accounting clean-up or mistaken for discounts, but they are actually critical pricing incentives that foster long-term relationships. Nick describes how he first came to Enable as a customer and how it helped him uncover more than $7 million in missed rebates. He breaks down how rebates differ from discounts, how they can exceed net profit, and why manual rebate systems are so complex and inaccurate. Nick also explains how Enable is building a new SaaS category, and the importance of becoming a business's top three priority as a SaaS platform.If you're looking for an ERP, head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.—SPONSORS:Subscript is a modern billing and revenue recognition platform designed for SaaS finance teams that need flexibility and accuracy. From automated invoicing and dunning to compliant, transparent revenue recognition and real-time analytics, Subscript eliminates manual work, reduces errors, and gives you a single source of truth for all your financial data. Book a free demo at subscript.com.Rippling Spend is a spend management solution that handles your entire company's spending in one unified system. It enables you to bring your corporate cards, expense management, bill pay, and more into one place to achieve real-time visibility and uniquely granular control with automated policy controls across every type of spend. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities to automating painful procurement workflows and giving you the best market data to turn vendor negotiations in your favor, Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn how.MUFG is the largest bank in Japan and a global banking powerhouse with a focus on empowering Growth and Middle Market stage companies in North America and Europe. MUFG provides comprehensive banking services for VC-backed, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues starting at $40M. The bank combines its global capabilities with deep operational understanding to help companies accelerate their growth trajectory. Contact group head Bob Blee at bblee@us.mufg.jp to find out more.NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 40,000 companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform, head to NetSuite https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:18) Sponsor – Subscript | Rippling Spend | Vanta | Tropic(07:22) From Geography Major to CFO(10:44) How Nick Became an Enable Customer(13:45) $7–8 Million in Missed Rebates(17:01) Sponsor – MUFG | NetSuite | Planful(20:27) Complexity in Manual Rebate Systems(21:45) What Is a Rebate?(26:07) Rebates Exceeding Net Profit(27:30) Why Rebates Build Long-Term Relationships(28:43) Trust and Rebates(34:42) Channel Stuffing and Rebate Fraud(39:59) Bringing Rebates and Pricing Together(42:32) Rebates Versus Discounts(43:23) The Challenges of Creating a New Category(45:42) Becoming a Top Three Priority(48:53) Investor Thesis and Network Effects(51:08) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Bad Hiring Decisions(54:25) Advice to Younger Self(55:36) Finance Software Stack(56:45) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

Over 90% of U.S. businesses generate less than $5 million profit per year, yet these businesses are the backbone of our economy. Although the majority of Private Equity investments are in larger companies, many smaller companies are investable and need access to capital and expertise to grow. Ariez Dustoor, Partner at NB Group Investors, invests in founder or family-owned Wellness related or multi-location service businesses with $10 - $100,000,000 million in revenue, and attempts to achieve a 3 to 4 x multiple on invested capital within five years. 

Building relationships is fundamental to turning around middle-market companies, according to SierraConstellation Partners (SCP) Founder and CEO Lawrence Perkins, as employees are “in the center of the bullseye [and] doing the work every day, taking the calls from the vendors, taking the calls from the analyst, the private equity sponsor...the direct lender.” In his feature interview with Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Noel Hebert and Phil Brendel (7:36), Perkins shares he's encountering more “distressed by accident” lenders these days, courtesy of the private credit boom, than the “distressed on purpose” ilk. He delves into the differences between Chapter 11, Article 9 sales, and Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (“ABC”). Prior to that, Hebert and Brendel open up with thoughts on April's market whiplash. The podcast concludes with BI's Negisa Balluku joining them for a roundtable discussion on Hertz, J&J, Ardagh, Franchise Group, Yellow Corp and Telesat (67:28). Links mentioned in the podcast: https://www.distressedinvestingconference.com/media-night.html

Sanjay Datta, CFO of Upstart and former senior finance exec at Google, joins CJ to discuss leadership, scaling, and the future of lending with AI. Sanjay spent 12 years at Google, helping grow it into an $80B global ads business. He sheds light on Google's monetization model, the simplicity of its forecasting, and the power of centralized analytics. He also reflects on scaling Upstart from $10M to $500M, going public, managing investor and employee expectations, and staying agile through macroeconomic shifts.If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.—SPONSORS:Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.Subscript is a modern billing and revenue recognition platform designed for SaaS finance teams that need flexibility and accuracy. From automated invoicing and dunning to compliant, transparent revenue recognition and real-time analytics, Subscript eliminates manual work, reduces errors, and gives you a single source of truth for all your financial data. Book a free demo at subscript.com.Rippling Spend is a spend management solution that handles your entire company's spending in one unified system. It enables you to bring your corporate cards, expense management, bill pay, and more into one place to achieve real-time visibility and uniquely granular control with automated policy controls across every type of spend. Get a demo to see how much time your org would save at rippling.com/metrics.MUFG is the largest bank in Japan and a global banking powerhouse with a focus on empowering Growth and Middle Market stage companies in North America and Europe. MUFG provides comprehensive banking services for VC-backed, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues starting at $40M. The bank combines its global capabilities with deep operational understanding to help companies accelerate their growth trajectory. Contact Bob Blee at bblee@us.mufg.jp to find out more.Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities to automating painful procurement workflows and giving you the best market data to turn vendor negotiations in your favor, Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn how.NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 40,000 companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅, head to NetSuite https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:17) Sponsor – Planful | Subscript | Rippling Spend(05:39) Sanjay's Unconventional Career Path(07:55) Lessons From Google on Being a Leader(10:11) Managing an $80 Billion Revenue Ad Business(12:24) The Evolution of Google's Monetization Model(15:06) Sponsor – MUFG | Vanta | Tropic | NetSuite(21:04) Scaling Google Ads to $80 Billion(23:18) Google's Forecasting Model(24:48) Complexity and Scale at Google(28:03) The Science of Analytics in a Digital Company(31:06) Upstart's IPO(33:00) Managing Internal Expectations in Good and Bad Times(37:10) Why You Should Work Yourself Out of a Job Each Year(41:23) Things That Get Easier As You Scale(42:18) How Metrics Shift With Scale(43:35) Contingency Planning at Upstart(47:13) Why the Lending System Is Broken(49:44) How Upstart Keeps Its Credit Models Accurate and Ethical(54:31) Predictions on the Lending Market for the Next Year(58:35) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Wine Corking Business(1:01:17) Advice to Younger Self(1:02:26) Finance Software Stack(01:02:57) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

Tremont Realty Capital says the middle market represents one of the largest segments of the commercial real estate sector, yet it can often be overlooked. It is this segment of the market that The RMR Group's Tremont Realty Capital, however, sees significant opportunities.  Tom Lorenzini, SVP of Tremont Realty Capital, says the firm would rather have a deep portfolio of smaller loans than a smaller portfolio of larger loans for better diversification and risk management.  In this episode of GlobeSt.com's podcast, Lorenzini spoke about the current lending market and the firm's lending strategy. He discusses: Tremont Realty Capital's unique structure and how it leverages The RMR Group's scale. Why the middle market, which Tremont defines as assets having values in the $25 million to $100 million range, may be the sweet spot for lending activity. Why no commercial asset class—even office—is off the table this year.  

Ryan has more than 20 years of experience in real estate investing, finance, and portfolio /asset management; including over $10B in transaction value ranging from acquisitions and capital markets to strategic joint ventures and M&A.  Prior to co-founding Last Mile Investments, Ryan served on the senior leadership team of Phillips Edison & Co (as Principal of the institutional management business) an approximately $7B fully integrated real estate platform focused on the retail sector, where he most recently built and led the Institutional Investment Management business.  Ryan was responsible for all aspects of the business including strategic direction and growth, portfolio management, performance, investor relations, and capital raising.  Ryan is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a BS in Finance.  He is also on the board of the Lexington Hotel Group, as well as an active member in YPO, ICSC and ULI nationally, where he is the Chair for a national retail council consisting of senior level peers. Links: Last Mile Ryan on LinkedIn Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:01) - The Contrarian Thesis Behind Last Mile (00:05:02) - Building a Vertically Integrated Platform (00:06:43) - Understanding Retail's Misunderstood Value (00:10:34) - Operational Alpha and Investment Strategies (00:14:41) - The Importance of Boots on the Ground (00:18:18) - Current State and Future Plans for Last Mile (00:26:18) - The Shift from Malls to Strip Centers (00:27:01) - Understanding the Investor Base (00:27:48) - Relatability of Retail Investments (00:31:08) - Aggregation and Value Creation (00:34:38) - Macro Themes in Retail (00:39:27) - The Undersupply of Retail (00:40:34) - The Future of Malls and Lifestyle Centers (00:42:48) - Building a Long-Lasting Platform (00:48:46) - Conclusion and Contact Information

In our milestone 50th episode of the Private Equity PErspectives podcast, host Todd Kinney is joined by Lloyd Metz, Managing Director at ICV Partners, and Monika Mantilla, President and CEO at Altura Capital. Together, they discussed: Building competitive advantages through disciplined investing and operational capabilities.The role of trust and shared values in creating successful partnerships, from portfolio companies to institutional investors.How technology enables operational excellence and drives value creation in today's market.

Eric Purington, Portfolio Manager for the aberdeen Global Income Infrastructure fund says that large-scale infrastructure investors have raised billions to pump into the big names in the sector, the smaller private-equity firms and the middle-market opportunities have struggled to bring in capital. That has created an opportunity that Purington has taken advantage of for the last few years and that he sees continuing, as the infrastructure space continues booming; middle-market opportunities grow and mature and really pay off when they become investment targets for those well-funded, big private-equity investors. Purington says this trend has persisted over the last few years, is not dependent on government issues or subject to as much political risk as other infrastructure ideas.

Jerome Nichols is President of Standard Real Estate Investments, where he is focused on new business development and investment sourcing, in addition to his involvement in all major decisions pertaining to the business.  Prior to co-founding Standard Real Estate Investments, Jerome spent six years at CBRE Investment Management as a Senior Director and Deputy Portfolio Manager of the CBRE GI U.S. Development Partners Fund Series. In this role, he served as the lead development sourcing officer for CBRE GI Americas and sourced $6 billion in deal volume. He was actively involved in several initiatives at CBRE GI, including his role as the Chair of the Social Impact Counsel.  In addition to his time at CBRE, Jerome spent six years with The Bozzuto Group, a vertically integrated multifamily development and operating company. He is also a former professional football player.  Jerome is an Alumnus and active supporter of the Robert Toigo Foundation. He received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University. Links: Standard Real Estate Investments - https://www.standardrei.com/ Jerome on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-nichols-standard Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/ Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:36) - Jerome's Background and Career Journey (00:04:00) - Launching Standard Real Estate (00:06:34) - Standard Real Estate's Vision and Strategy (00:10:42) - Navigating Challenges and Lessons Learned (00:17:24) - The Role of Strategic Capital Partners (00:21:38) - Standard Real Estate's Current Focus and Differentiators (00:29:19) - Future Outlook and Closing Remarks

Ambereen Toubassy, the CFO of Airtable, has experience as an advisor, an investor, and an operator. In this episode, she joins CJ to talk about how this experience informs her role as a CFO. The two delve into the complexities of navigating investor feedback and how to take criticism without getting defensive. They also discuss how to build the right advisory network, red flags to watch for, and the importance of scaffolding your weaknesses with external expertise. The episode also highlights the value of specificity in the role of a finance leader. Ambereen shares insights from her extensive career, including her time at Quibi, explaining what she learned from this moonshot idea that didn't work out as hoped and her approach to balancing fiduciary duties with the human side of leadership.If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.—SPONSORS:Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Brex makes it easy to control spend before it happens, automate annoying tasks, and optimize your finances. Find out how Brex can help you make every dollar count at brex.com/metrics.Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. It doesn't just show you where the problems are—it helps you solve them. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities, like duplicative spend, to automating those painful procurement workflows, to giving you the best market data that turns every vendor negotiation in your favor. Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn howMUFG is the largest bank in Japan and a global banking powerhouse with a focus on empowering Growth and Middle Market stage companies in North America and Europe. MUFG provides comprehensive banking services for VC-backed, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues starting at $40M. The bank combines its global capabilities with deep operational understanding to help companies accelerate their growth trajectory. Contact group head Bob Blee at bblee@us.mufg.jp to find out more.NetSuite provides financial software for all your business needs. More than 40,000 companies have already upgraded to NetSuite, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you're looking for an ERP platform ✅, head to NetSuite https://netsuite.com/metrics and get the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning.RightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. Whether it's multi-element arrangements, subscription renewals, or complex usage-based contracts, RightRev takes care of it all. That means fewer spreadsheets, fewer errors, and more time for your team to focus on growth. For modern revenue recognition simplified, visit rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:25) Sponsor – Brex | Vanta | Tropic(06:55) What Ambereen Has Learned from Being an Investor(10:53) Dealing with Investor Feedback(18:09) Sponsor – MUFG | NetSuite | RightRev | Planful(22:54) Tips for Not Taking Feedback Personally(24:12) When to Bring Founders into Meetings with Investors(25:52) Scaffolding Your Weaknesses(30:59) Whether or Not to Pay More for Great Advisors(34:12) How to Identify the Right Banker or Consultant(35:13) Banker and Consultant Red Flags to Watch Out For(39:11) “In the Particular Is Contained the Universal”(42:42) How the Specific Plays a Role in the Job of a Finance Leader(46:46) Quibi, the Moonshot Idea That Didn't Land as Planned(50:16) Fiduciary Responsibility When Things Don't Go as Planned(55:00) Long-Ass Lightning Round: A Career Mistake(55:48) Advice to Younger Self(57:14) Finance Software Stack(58:26) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

As Founding Managing Partner, Tom Hall provides oversight of investments, property operations, finance, and strategic planning. With more than 20 years of experience in the multifamily industry, Tom has managed over $1.2 billion in equity and participated in transactions exceeding $4 billion. He has also been instrumental on the ownership and management of more than 18,000 units across 14 states. His expertise has driven the discovery and execution of multiple high-growth strategies in the multifamily sector, resulting in outsized returns for investors. Tom earned a degree in Accounting from California State University, Hayward, and is a former CPA. When not at work, he enjoys cycling and crafting wine as a semi-professional winemaker. Links: Tom on LinkedIn GL Capital Partners Brandon on LinkedIn Juniper Square Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:30) - Tom's background and career (00:06:20) - Tom's experience raising Fund 1 and the composition of investors (00:08:52) - How has the capitalization of your funds progressed from the first through the fifth? (00:10:54) - What have you learned about being a fiduciary for these individuals? (00:13:37) - What is most misunderstood about working with ultra-high net worth or family offices? (00:15:50) - What does your investor count look like today? (00:17:57) - What would one of your investors say about their relationship with your firm? (00:19:16) - What does vertical integration look like for you? (00:23:40) - How do you differentiate yourself in the industry? (00:26:53) - Where do you see the greatest opportunity in multifamily over the next 12-36 months? (00:30:43) - How competitive is the capital source landscape for you? (00:33:40) - Do you anticipate doing anything differently over the next year? (00:34:57) - What advice do you have for folks not raising institutional money?

On this episode of the The Passive Income Playbook, host Pascal Wagner interviews Aleksey Chernobelskiy, former executive at Store Capital and founder of GPLP Match, about navigating the complex relationship between limited partners and general partners in commercial real estate investing. Chernobelskiy draws from his experience at Store Capital, where he helped deploy 1-2 billion dollars annually, to explain how LPs should approach due diligence differently when evaluating smaller versus institutional-sized deals. He provides valuable insights on distinguishing between "red flags" and "yellow flags" in investment opportunities, dissects why LPs often miss aggressive rent growth assumptions in multifamily deals, and offers his golden rule for investors: if you can't identify at least three ways your investment could go to zero, you're not ready to invest. The conversation provides critical guidance for passive investors seeking to evaluate deals more effectively in today's challenging market environment. Sponsors: Vintage Capital Capital Gains Tax Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Campbell, Chief Investment Officer of Portfolio Advisors, joins our hosts to discuss strategies for success in middle market investing. She emphasizes the importance of fundraising discipline and the evolving landscape of real estate investments, highlighting niche areas that are gaining traction. More S&P Global Content: New White Paper: Overcoming Fractured Data Chains and Achieving Operational Brilliance in Private Markets Credits: Host/Author: Chris Sparenberg, Jocelyn Lewis Guests: Liz Campbell, Portfolio Advisors Producer: Georgina Lee www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

In this episode, Matt Wolf, Senior Analyst at RSM discusses how supply chains have become nine times more complicated over the past 15 years, the impact of labor shortages, and the growing role of AI in managing business operations. Click here to learn more from RSM’s ‘The Real Economy Blog’

The best credit opportunity lies in middle-market collateralized loan obligation equity, according to Carlyle. “It is a newer market and not everyone’s investing and chasing that asset class,” said Lauren Basmadjian, the firm’s global head of liquid credit. “We’re seeing mid-to-high teens IRRs,” Basmadjian tells Bloomberg News’ James Crombie and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Mike Campellone in the latest Credit Edge podcast. That compares to 12%-13% internal rates of return from CLOs backed by broadly syndicated loans, she adds. Basmadjian and Campellone also discuss growing risk from liability management exercises, private/public debt convergence, default rates, M&A and European leveraged loan market opportunities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Matt Wolf, Senior Analyst at RSM discusses how supply chains have become nine times more complicated over the past 15 years, the impact of labor shortages, and the growing role of AI in managing business operations. Click here to learn more from RSM’s ‘The Real Economy Blog’

Motlatsi Mkalala – Executive Head of Middle Market, Standard Bank SAfm Market Update - Podcasts and live stream

In this episode of Masters of Moments, I share my experiences in hospitality and real estate investment, from raising $6 million for a preferred equity deal to handling unexpected challenges in hotel management. I also discuss the shift toward experiential and lifestyle hotels and why smaller investment opportunities can offer strong returns. I also discuss how technology improves hotel operations, makes it easier to manage boutique properties, and the potential benefits of incorporating residences into hotel projects. I also break down key strategies for building strong investor relationships and navigating market trends. Other topics include: - Finding value in overlooked investment opportunities- Revenue strategies for hotel profitability- Lessons learned from setbacks in hotel operationsWhether you're new to hospitality or a seasoned investor, this episode offers practical insights on building and managing successful hotel projects.Connect & Invest with Jake:Follow Jake on X: https://x.com/JWurzak1 on 1 coaching with Jake: https://www.jakewurzak.com/coachingLearn How to Invest with DoveHill: https://bit.ly/3yg8PwoTopics:(00:00:00) - Intro(00:00:51) - Exploring Estelle Manor: A New Hospitality Trend (00:02:46) - Insights from the Lodging Investment Conference (00:04:13) - Opportunities in Small Deals and Private Equity (00:06:54) - The Shift in Hospitality Preferences (00:08:06) - Challenges for Traditional Hotels (00:09:08) - The Rise of Experiential and Lifestyle Hotels (00:09:50) - Case Study: The Breakers Hotel (00:11:01) - The Middle Market's New Options (00:20:16) - Automating Small Hotels: A Success Story (00:28:24) - Scaling Challenges in the Hotel Business (00:28:56) - Dealing with Hotel Incidents (00:31:41) - Balancing Occupancy and Revenue (00:33:30) - Strategies for Managing Hotel Rates (00:37:55) - The Rise of Experiential Travel (00:43:47) - Incorporating Residences in Hotels (00:46:50) - Fractional Ownership and Real Estate Strategies (00:53:16) - Creating a Unique Hotel Brand (00:55:26) - Effective Communication for Raising Capital (00:58:41) - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLinks:Estelle Manor - https://www.estellemanor.comThe Lodging Conference - https://www.lodgingconference.comHyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago - https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/illinois/hyatt-regency-ohare-chicago/ohareChicago Athletic Association Hotel - https://www.chicagoathletichotel.comMuse - https://www.muse.comSALTO Systems - https://www.saltosystems.comDIAMO - https://www.diamo.comCost.com - https://www.cost.comAutoCamp - https://www.autocamp.comBelmond - https://www.belmond.comLVMH - https://www.lvmh.comAll-In Podcast - https://www.allinpodcast.coCloudKitchens - https://www.cloudkitchens.com

Despite risks becoming more interconnected and complex, some middle market companies are providing a model for others to follow. This On Aon podcast episode examines what successful middle market companies are doing in talent, risk management, and technology.  Experts in this episode: Don Ortegel, Executive Vice President, Aon North AmericaDouglas Farren, Managing Director of the Ohio State University's National Center for the Middle Market  Key Moments: [3:18] Strong performance in the middle market[5:21] Interconnection between talent, risk, and technology[7:07] Supply chain disruption is a growing challenge[8:27] Companies scale their technology investment for success   Additional Resources:Driving Growth: The Role of People, Risk, and Technology in Middle Market SuccessNational Center for the Middle MarketNCMM & Aon On-Demand Webinar Soundbytes: “We found that companies that not only just pick the hottest or latest and greatest technology, but actually pick the ones that were right for their business and could be scaled appropriately were companies that that really kind of took off.” — Doug Farren“Most middle market companies tend to scale their technology investments. In other words, they may not have the capital and the resources to just really go big. So they want to start with a technology that makes sense for them, making sure that it's scalable, that it can really help support the growth plans that that company has.” — Doug Farren“Companies that viewed risk more strategically, that were proactive about managing it, that had tools and other things in place, rather than being reactive and defensive about it, also outperformed their peers.” — Doug Farren

Erica Gessert, CFO of Upwork, and former Senior Vice President of Finance & Analytics at PayPal, joins CJ for this episode. They discuss Erica's experience with forecasting models at PayPal, emphasizing the need for adaptable models that change with economic conditions. Delving into her role at Upwork, Erica explains the company's approach to customer acquisition costs, the significance of network effects in marketplace businesses, and Upwork's take rate strategies. The conversation covers Upwork's investment in R&D, how the company maintains platform trust in the face of bad actors, and the impact of AI. Apart from explaining how Upwork gained 20 points of EBITDA in just three quarters, Erica also sheds light on their North Star metrics, how they balance growth and profitability, their approach to M&A, and her experience reporting to Masayoshi Son during her time at Sprint. —SPONSORS:Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.MUFG is the largest bank in Japan and a global banking powerhouse with a focus on empowering Growth and Middle Market stage companies in North America and Europe. MUFG provides comprehensive banking services for VC-backed, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues starting at $40M. The bank combines its global capabilities with deep operational understanding to help companies accelerate their growth trajectory. Contact group head Bob Blee at bblee@us.mufg.jp to find out more.Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Brex makes it easy to control spend before it happens, automate annoying tasks, and optimize your finances. Find out how Brex can help you make every dollar count at brex.com/metrics. Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics. Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. It doesn't just show you where the problems are—it helps you solve them. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities, like duplicative spend, to automating those painful procurement workflows, to giving you the best market data that turns every vendor negotiation in your favor. Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn howRightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. Whether it's multi-element arrangements, subscription renewals, or complex usage-based contracts, RightRev takes care of it all. That means fewer spreadsheets, fewer errors, and more time for your team to focus on growth. For modern revenue recognition simplified, visit rightrev.com and schedule a demo.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Preview and Intro(02:30) Sponsor – Planful | MUFG | Brex(06:17) Budgeting at PayPal(10:23) Forecasting Methodologies at PayPal(13:15) The Impact of the Calendar on Forecasting(15:01) Forecasting and Macroeconomic Indicators(16:29) Planning Will Take as Long as the Time You Allot for It(17:56) Surprising Insights About Freelancers(19:26) Sponsor – Vanta | Tropic | RightRev(24:55) Upwork's Customer Acquisition Cost(27:59) Freelancers and AI Adoption(29:07) Network Effects in Upwork's Model(31:14) Upwork's Take Rate Strategies(34:49) R&D Investing at Upwork(38:36) Selling Trusted Transactions(41:12) Upwork's North Star Metrics(42:59) Recognising the Potential of AI(44:05) How Upwork Gained 20 Points of EBITDA in Three Quarters(45:29) Balancing Growth and Profitability(46:41) Upwork's M&A Strategy(48:35) Long-Ass Lightning Round: A Big Career Mistake(50:55) Reporting to Masa from SoftBank(52:49) Advice to Younger Self(54:18) Finance Software Stack(54:55) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

Steve Moran chat with Justin Wray, President of Jaybird Senior Living, for a conversation covering innovative approaches to senior living, tackling Middle Market challenges, the importance of wellness for both residents and team members, and creating meaningful resident experiences. Justin shares Jaybird's commitment to residents, families, and employees. They also discussed how purposeful programming, innovative technology, and compassionate leadership improve senior living.   They cover: Resident and Family-Centered Approach: Jaybird Senior Living focuses on building trust and comfort for families, ensuring transparency, consistent care, and communication. The organization acknowledges that family members often act as decision-makers and works to engage them effectively. Commitment to the Middle Market: Jaybird strategically operates in rural and underserved areas by leveraging clusters of properties to share resources and reduce costs. They balance affordability with quality by maintaining efficient staffing and tailoring services to specific community needs. Innovative Wellness Programs: Jaybird's Ascend Wellness Program promotes the Six Dimensions of Wellness for residents in assisted and independent living. Team members are also encouraged to embrace wellness, with tools and initiatives designed to enhance their physical, emotional, and social health. Technology-Driven Solutions: Jaybird is implementing tools like TSO Life to enhance resident engagement and facilitate personalized connections between residents. Programs like a nurse triage system allow nurses to fully disconnect during off-hours, improving work-life balance and reducing turnover. Rethinking Activities and Purposeful Living: Justin emphasized shifting away from outdated, generic programming toward purpose-driven, meaningful activities tailored to individual residents. He challenges leaders to reassess the value of current activities and to consider whether they would enjoy participating themselves. Effective Crisis Management: A story of a resident intervening during a crisis (a man with a chainsaw entering the facility) highlighted the resilience and courage found in senior living communities, as well as the importance of having a strong, responsive support system in place. Challenges and Opportunities in Staffing: Recruiting and retaining skilled employees in rural areas remains a challenge, but Jaybird aims to be the employer of choice in these communities. Shared staffing models across nearby properties provide flexibility and learning opportunities for team members. Leadership's Role in Building Trust: Justin's personal involvement, like sitting with concerned family members, exemplifies the importance of empathy and listening in creating positive resident and family experiences.  

In this episode, CJ is joined by Kapil Agrawal, CFO at Outschool, former CFO of Poshmark, and former Global Head of Pricing and Finance Business Partner at Uber. Kapil shares insights on Uber's pricing strategies and the use of promotions to drive customer growth. He discusses the multiple North Star metrics used at Uber before explaining his role in changing the company's take rate. He also talks about his role at Poshmark and how he raised the company's gross margin. The conversation explores the advantages and challenges of marketplace models versus subscription models and highlights the potential of combining both. Also covered is the significance of high-quality decision-making as a leader and the role of hard work in achieving this.—SPONSORS:MUFG is the largest bank in Japan and a global banking powerhouse with a focus on empowering Growth and Middle Market stage companies in North America and Europe. MUFG provides comprehensive banking services for VC-backed, PE-backed, and public companies with revenues starting at $40M. The bank combines its global capabilities with deep operational understanding to help companies accelerate their growth trajectory. Contact group head Bob Blee at bblee@us.mufg.jp to find out more.Brex offers the world's smartest corporate card on a full-stack global platform that is everything CFOs need to manage their finances on an elite level. Plus they offer modern banking and treasury as well as intuitive expenses and accounting automation, bill pay, and travel. Brex makes it easy to control spend before it happens, automate annoying tasks, and optimize your finances. Find out how Brex can help you make every dollar count at brex.com/metrics.Vanta's trust management platform takes the manual work out of your security and compliance process and replaces it with continuous automation. Over 9000 businesses use it to automate compliance needs across over 35 frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. Centralize security workflows, complete questionnaires up to five times faster, and proactively manage vendor risk. For a limited time, get $1,000 off of Vanta at vanta.com/metrics.Tropic is an intelligent spend management solution that consolidates your spend data and processes into one unified offering, enabling insights and decisive action. It doesn't just show you where the problems are—it helps you solve them. From spotting hidden optimization opportunities, like duplicative spend, to automating those painful procurement workflows, to giving you the best market data that turns every vendor negotiation in your favor. Tropic combines smart insights with real human expertise to keep you ahead of the curve. Visit tropicapp.io/mostlymetrics to learn how.RightRev automates the revenue recognition process from end to end, gives you real-time insights, and ensures ASC 606 / IFRS 15 compliance—all while closing books faster. Whether it's multi-element arrangements, subscription renewals, or complex usage-based contracts, RightRev takes care of it all. That means fewer spreadsheets, fewer errors, and more time for your team to focus on growth. For modern revenue recognition simplified, visit rightrev.com and schedule a demo.Planful is a financial performance management platform designed to streamline financial tasks for businesses. It helps with budgeting, closing the books, and financial reporting, all on a cloud-based platform. By improving the efficiency and accuracy of these processes, Planful allows businesses to make better financial decisions. Find out more at www.planful.com/metrics.—FOLLOW US ON X:@cjgustafson222 (CJ)—TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Preview and Intro(02:50) Sponsor – MUFG | Brex | Vanta(07:15) Discounting and Promotions at Uber(09:26) Pros and Cons of Acquiring Customers with Promotions(13:48) How Uber Determined the Promotion Term of Nine Months(14:33) Promotional Launch Strategies Across Different Uber Platforms(17:49) Sponsor – Tropic | RightRev | Planful(21:10) The Multiple North Star Metrics at Uber(24:31) Retention for Drivers Versus Passengers(25:25) Tackling the Competition for Drivers(27:20) Changing Uber's Take Rate(31:55) Raising the Gross Margins at Poshmark(37:53) Moving from Buyer and Seller Cohorts to User Cohorts(39:20) Poshmark's Take Rate(42:46) Intro to Outschool(43:20) Transaction-Based Models Versus Subscription-Based Models(45:04) The Role of Capital Allocation(47:22) Combining Transaction-Based and Subscription-Based Models(49:45) Being Judged on the Quality of Your Decisions(54:00) Hiring: Generalists Versus Specialists(56:06) Long-Ass Lightning Round: A Price Cut Regret(57:34) Advice to Younger Self(58:44) Finance Software Stack(59:28) Craziest Expense Story Get full access to Mostly metrics at www.mostlymetrics.com/subscribe

Neville Rhone, Jr. is the co-founder and managing partner at Arc Capital Partners, a leading institutional real estate owner and investment manager. Arc is focussed on converting mixed-use properties instead of tearing down and building new. Rhone also is someone who's poised to find opportunities in challenging environments. So where are these opportunities hiding? ”Everything that we do is in the middle market,” says Rhone, who goes on to explain that the middle market is often overlooked. “Blackstone is not paying attention to it; Blue Creek is not paying attention to it.” The middle market often is “too complicated for the smaller investors,” so they also miss out on great opportunities. In Neville Rhone, Jr.'s compelling conversation with AFIRE CEO Gunnar Branson, the two men discuss where the best investment opportunities are hiding in 2025—and why a fresh perspective on investments in this upcoming cycle is so beneficial. Key Moments 00:00 AFIRE CEO Gunnar Branson intro. 01:02 Branson introduces Neville Rhone, Jr. Managing Partner at Arc Capital Partners 02:12 Where are the best opportunities for attainable housing? 06:12 How does Arc approach infill urban areas and create more attainable market-rate housing? 11:07 How does Arc encourage thinking about unconventional investment opportunities in a challenging environment? 15:42 How does Rhone help investors understand that this middle-market approach is a wise, risk-adjusted approach? 26:24 Why should building owners care about sustainability in their investment approach? 29:43 Where are the opportunities hiding in 2025?

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Brian Van Elslander, Head of MAM Direct Lending Portfolio Management, Americas, and Bill Eckmann, Head of Macquarie Principal Finance, Americas, to discuss the evolving landscape of direct lending. With private credit playing an increasingly significant role in institutional portfolios, Brian and Bill share insights on the growth of Macquarie's direct lending platform, the firm's approach to alignment and risk management, and key considerations for insurance investors exploring this asset class.   They also examine current market dynamics, sector opportunities, and best practices for insurers looking to allocate to private credit. Whether you're already investing in direct lending or evaluating its strategic fit, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on navigating the space.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/pnMxKKPCBQMAbout the Guest(s): Jerome Myers is a dynamic leader and the founder of Exit to Excellence, a consultancy focused on helping business owners transition from their companies with both confidence and a sense of purpose. Previously, Jerome built a successful $20 million division for a Fortune 550 company. Post-corporate life, he ventured into real estate, significantly impacting the market through apartment syndications. Jerome now dedicates his time to coaching and consulting entrepreneurs, ensuring they find fulfillment and significance beyond monetary gains from selling their businesses. His expertise in helping business founders navigate exits aligns deeply with his personal experiences of transformation.Summary: Ronald Skelton welcomes back Jerome Myers, founder of Exit to Excellence, to discuss the intricacies of business exits and the emotional journey that follows. They dive into the concept of the Founders Exit Paradox and the importance of having a clear vision post-exit to avoid feelings of emptiness and depression. Jerome introduces the NEXT framework—nourish, evaluate, explore, transcend—to guide entrepreneurs toward a fulfilling new phase. They also address the significance of relationships and how to plan effectively for life beyond business, ensuring a purpose-driven transition.Key Takeaways:Business exits can lead to emotional challenges like the "Founder's Exit Paradox," where monetary gain may quickly be overshadowed by feelings of emptiness.Jerome Myers developed the N.E.X.T. framework—Nourish, Evaluate, Explore, Transcend—to guide founders in planning purposeful transitions beyond business exits.Relationships significantly change post-exit; building a supportive network outside of work is essential to mitigating feelings of loneliness.Proper succession planning and self-reflection on skills and goals can prepare entrepreneurs for a fulfilling life after exiting their businesses.Understanding and navigating the six centers of doubt: self-image, relationships, work, health, prosperity, and significance, can facilitate a meaningful and successful exit journey.--------------------------------------------------Contact Jerome onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromemyers/Website: http://www.theexitparadox.com/book--------------------------------------------------

In this episode, Matt Waters, head of US Middle Market for AXA XL, shares what it has taken for his team to build out its business over the past couple of years. Waters also discusses what characteristics impact the middle market and what industry segments the company is focused on.

Rates on the rise, as investors brace for what President-elect Donald Trump's tariff plan could do to inflation. The trouble brewing under the surface.. And the sections of the market feeling the pressure. And A check on the middle market. What a new report out of a private credit powerhouse is saying about the landscape.Fast Money Disclaimer

Real Estate is a block-to-block business, especially multifamily. That's why a highly targeted strategy is desirable when choosing an operator to invest in. Tight geographic and asset class focus mitigates a lot of risk. Michael Voulgarakis, COO of Southgate Ventures, buys class B and C multifamily properties in Seattle in the sub-middle market $10 million, 20-30 unit range from owners who've owned the properties 15-30 years. With longer-term ownership, there's a likelihood that value-add opportunities exist to significantly enhance the values of these properties. There's an abundance of these properties in Seattle, a growing market with limited supply, robust employment, and high incomes.

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/zo0kk24sKJMAbout the Guest(s): Brian Scanlon is the Managing Parnter of DealGen Partners, a company specializing in deal origination primarily for private equity funds and their portfolio companies. With a career path that started unexpectedly in college through managing Facebook posts for a PR firm, Brian built and exited his first business right after graduation. Further embedding himself in the market, he gained experience at a boutique M&A advisory firm where he honed his skills in B2B lead origination. In 2019, alongside his partner, he launched DealGen Partners to focus on originating acquisition opportunities in the middle-market for private equity investors.Episode Summary: Host Ronald Skelton talks with Brian Scanlon, co-founder of DealGen Partners, about their unique approach to deal origination for private equity and portfolio companies. Brian explains how they source acquisition opportunities, focusing on platform investments and tuck-ins, using a success-fee model and leveraging intermediaries like lawyers and CPAs for off-market deals. He also discusses the impact of AI on M&A and how they are using technology to streamline their processes and improve their deal flow.Key Takeaways:DealGen Partners specializes in deal origination for private equity firms, focusing on acquisition opportunities in the middle-market.The firm transitioned from retained search relationships to a success-only fee model, allowing greater flexibility in matching deals with the right funds.Intermediaries such as lawyers and CPAs play a crucial role in sourcing high-quality off-market deals.The landscape of M&A is evolving rapidly with technology, especially AI, streamlining processes in deal evaluation and lead generation.Emotional readiness and proper preparation are critical factors influencing the success of small to medium business acquisitions.--------------------------------------------------Contact Brian onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianscanlondeals/Website: https://dealgenpartners.com/--------------------------------------------------

A resilient macroeconomic environment, along with rising M&A activity, have the direct-lending space primed for additional growth in the coming years. Curt Lueker, managing director and head of direct lending at Marathon Asset Management, joins Noel Hebert and Sam Geier of Bloomberg Intelligence on this episode of Credit Crunch to discuss how the firm is capitalizing on its expertise in the core middle-market sector. The conversation dives into the firm's recent partnership with Webster Bank, the investment committee process, secondary markets, central bank policy and much more.

Our student Louisa came to us her junior year looking for help with full time recruiting. She had just recruited for junior summer internships on her own, but was only able to get into a middle market bank. After hearing her peers recommend WSMM, she decided to reach out. Soon our coaches were helping her work on her behaviorals and navigate the networking process. Hear her talk about how she improved her candidacy the second time around and secured a full time offer from a bulge bracket bank. Want help securing an offer from a top tier firm on Wall Street? Apply here: wallstmastermind.com/applyutm_source=podcastep300

Are you a business owner and now looking to retire? Not to worry, because as private equity sponsors fund that move to Florida, their acquisitions are made possible by the private credit firms which have cultivated a lower middle market lending strategy.But lower middle market lending is, of course, not without its challenges. Intensifying competition from firms honing in on the space and a complicated macroeconomic picture have pushed pricing down to levels last seen in the giddy days of 2021.In the latest episode of Cloud 9fin Michelle Handy, chief investment officer of First Eagle Alternative Credit's Direct Lending business, joins 9fin senior reporter Shubham Saharan to talk about that corner of the private credit world.They unpack the opportunities and obstacles in lower middle market lending, the benefits of having a large existing portfolio, while also touching on the growing asset-based lending market (not to be confused with asset-backed lending!).For feedback on the podcast, or to learn how to get involved, send a note to podcast@9fin.com. Thanks for listening!

I've known Aaron McCambridge for perhaps 15 years, as he's been an occasional visitor to my Rotary Club, where his father is a longtime member.  I've known about Citadel Advisory Group for even longer, as they were a client of the bank I worked at the last stop in my career, going back to 2007.  When I left the bank in 2013, Aaron had only recently entered the industry in what was effectively an intern/analyst role, and now shares leadership with fellow Managing Partner, Matt Thomas.  Citadel works in what is effectively a seller-side representative role for lower middle market privately held companies, helping them find an exit or a growth capital partner, depending on circumstances and the owner's desires for the company.  These might include strategic acquisitions, minority capital injections, or 100% private equity or family office buyouts.  Citadel gets paid on the back end of each transaction - and only if it is completed.  For me, this conversation is a fun look behind the curtain of an industry I've only brushed against in my career, and listeners will learn a lot while I satisfy my curiosity about the kinds of deals that Aaron and his partners have seen in the marketplace.  Aaron's journey is an inspiring one, in that he marched through several years of challenge before starting from scratch in a new career.  He'd had a very successful career in mortgage, and then wholesale mortgage before the financial crisis evaporated those opportunities, and then founded and floundered in his own commercial capital venture before checking in with Citadel about an entry-level job.  At the core, Aaron is something of a hybrid between business analyst, life and business coach, and equity industry expert, and he does a great job of storytelling while keeping his clients anonymous.  I learned a lot, and you will too - so please tune in and enjoy my conversation with Aaron McCambridge, Managing Partner of Citadel Advisory Group. The LoCo Experience Podcast is sponsored by: Logistics Co-op | https://logisticscoop.com/

Middle market businesses don't get the attention of the Fortune 500 or the love that small businesses get from policymakers, but these firms are still critical to the economy — accounting for a third of private-sector GDP and employing up to 50 million Americans.  On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — sponsored by Agri-Access — KeyBank commercial bank president Ken Gavrity discusses the outlook for the middle market, defined as businesses with annual revenues of $10 million to $1 billion. Among other topics, Gavrity discusses: Why middle market business leaders have grown more positive this fall about the outlook. How middle market firms' cost control and resilience-building during the inflationary period position them well as rates begin to come down. The improvement in the talent outlook for middle market firms. How middle market businesses are prepared to capitalize on the efficiencies, including automation and AI, that they instilled in the past few years. How KeyBank integrates its commercial payments business with its middle market services. This episode is presented by Agri-Access.

Mina Pacheco Nazemi, Head of Diversified Alternative Equity, joins the podcast to explain how she and her team are finding attractive opportunities to “build to core” in assets like battery storage and data centers.Episode Segments: (01:58) – Mina's role at Barings(02:43) – The common attractions of infra equity asset types(06:12) – Why “infrastructure 2.0” offers the potential for higher returns(11:24) – The opportunity from the concentrated capital raising in infrastructure(18:28) – The case for building smaller, modular, distributed assets (26:43) – The “buy vs. build” multiple arbitrage (28:25) – Sourcing deals in the lower and middle part of the market (32:33) – Misconceptions & where investor demand is coming fromIMPORTANT INFORMATIONAny forecasts in this podcast are based upon Barings' opinion of the market at the date of preparation and are subject to change without notice, dependent upon many factors. Any prediction, projection or forecast is not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance. Investment involves risk. The value of any investments and any income generated may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Any examples set forth in this podcast are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of any future investment results or investments. The composition, size of, and risks associated with an investment may differ substantially from any examples set forth in this podcast. No representation is made that an investment will be profitable or will not incur losses. Barings is the brand name for the worldwide asset management and associated businesses of Barings LLC and its global affiliates. Barings Securities LLC, Barings (U.K.) Limited, Barings Global Advisers Limited, Barings Australia Pty Ltd, Barings Japan Limited, Barings Real Estate Advisers Europe Finance LLP, BREAE AIFM LLP, Baring Asset Management Limited, Baring International Investment Limited, Baring Fund Managers Limited, Baring International Fund Managers (Ireland) Limited, Baring Asset Management (Asia) Limited, Baring SICE (Taiwan) Limited, Baring Asset Management Switzerland Sarl, and Baring Asset Management Korea Limited each are affiliated financial service companies owned by Barings LLC (each, individually, an “Affiliate”).NO OFFER: The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or service in any jurisdiction. The material herein was prepared without any consideration of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of anyone who may receive it. This podcast is not, and must not be treated as, investment advice, an investment recommendation, investment research, or a recommendation about the suitability or appropriateness of any security, commodity, investment, or particular investment strategy.Unless otherwise mentioned, the views contained in this podcast are those of Barings and are subject to change without notice. Individual portfolio management teams may hold different views and may make different investment decisions for different clients. Parts of this podcast may be based on information received from sources we believe to be reliable. Although every effort is taken to ensure that the information contained in this podcast is accurate, Barings makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the informationAny service, security, investment or product outlined in this podcast may not be suitable for a prospective investor or available in their jurisdiction.Copyright in this podcast is owned by Barings. Information in this podcast may be used for your own personal use, but may not be altered, reproduced or distributed without Barings' consent.24-4009754

When Craig Rupp left Iowa in the 80s, he never wanted to step foot on a farm again. A whirlwind career as an engineer took him to some of the biggest companies - Motorola, Apple, Samsung - but he always felt a strong connection to his roots. He had an idea he couldn't shake - an opportunity to change farming forever. Introducing Sabanto and its best-in-class Autonomous Operator, Steward. On the day of their first big test, the tractor froze, stuck in a field in a blizzard - no planting, no company, no future. If Craig wanted this to work, he had to find a solution - and fast.  Ben is back with a series of episodes celebrating businesses from across America, starting with the great state of Iowa and Sabanto Agriculture. Joining Ben is Sachin Seghal Founder of Elevate Digital Marketing in Des Moines and Brian Lamb, Northeast segment head for Middle Market at JPMorgan Chase. Together they discuss the developments in Artificial Intelligence and its importance for small businesses while sharing insights on how small businesses can effectively transition to mid-sized enterprises and beyond.    The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Craig Rupp left Iowa in the 80s, he never wanted to step foot on a farm again. A whirlwind career as an engineer took him to some of the biggest companies - Motorola, Apple, Samsung - but he always felt a strong connection to his roots. He had an idea he couldn't shake - an opportunity to change farming forever. Introducing Sabanto and its best-in-class Autonomous Operator, Steward. On the day of their first big test, the tractor froze, stuck in a field in a blizzard - no planting, no company, no future. If Craig wanted this to work, he had to find a solution - and fast.  Ben is back with a series of episodes celebrating businesses from across America, starting with the great state of Iowa and Sabanto Agriculture. Joining Ben is Sachin Seghal Founder of Elevate Digital Marketing in Des Moines and Brian Lamb, Northeast segment head for Middle Market at JPMorgan Chase. Together they discuss the developments in Artificial Intelligence and its importance for small businesses while sharing insights on how small businesses can effectively transition to mid-sized enterprises and beyond.    The Unshakeables is brought to you by Chase for Business and Ruby Studio by iHeartMediaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley welcomes Brett Hickey, Founder and CEO of Star Mountain Capital, for an engaging look at investment in the U.S. lower middle market. Brett shares his unique journey from a small-town upbringing in Canada to founding a prominent private credit firm. Drawing from his early experiences, Brett discusses how Star Mountain Capital builds on core values of community and collaboration, focusing on lending to smaller, often family-owned businesses with strong fundamentals. He explains the firm's strategic emphasis on these investments, citing the sector's limited competition and inherent value as an uncorrelated asset class. Brett also highlights the opportunity to add alpha to portfolios through Star Mountain's private credit and secondary offerings.   Brett explains why lower middle market companies offer significant upside potential, especially given demographic trends and limited access to traditional financing sources. He describes how Star Mountain's data-driven risk management processes and community-focused investment approach help mitigate risk while positioning companies for growth and long-term success.  

M&A expert Scott Weavil joins the DealQuest Podcast for an insightful episode!In this episode, Scott shares his expertise on navigating the lower middle market, M&A, and private equity. He dives into the unique challenges and opportunities in this space, and provides actionable insights on how to create value for all parties involved.In this episode, you'll learn: How to navigate the complexities of the lower middle market. Strategies for building strong relationships with buyers and sellers. The importance of understanding buyer motivations and expectations. How to focus on value creation, rather than solely on multiple arbitrage. And much more.Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or deal-maker, this episode is essential listening for anyone looking to create value and achieve their goals in the lower middle market.Don't miss this chance to learn from a true expert in M&A and private equity! • • • FOR MORE ON THIS EPISODE:https://www.coreykupfer.com/blog/scottweavil• • • FOR MORE ON SCOTT WEAVIL: https://www.sierrapacificpartners.com/https://www.facebook.com/sierrapacificpartnershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/scottweavil/ FOR MORE ON COREY KUPFER:https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreykupfer/http://www.coreykupfer.com/http://www.coreykupfer.com/dealden • • • Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has more than 35 years of professional deal-making and negotiating experience. Corey is a successful entrepreneur, attorney, consultant, author, and professional speaker. He is deeply passionate about deal-driven growth. He is also the creator and host of the DealQuest Podcast. Get deal-ready with the DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer, where like-minded entrepreneurs and business leaders converge, share insights and challenges, and success stories. Equip yourself with the tools, resources, and support necessary to navigate the complex yet rewarding world of dealmaking. Dive into the world of deal-driven growth today!

Chief Market Strategist Troy A. Gayeski, CFA, shares the key takeaways from his new strategy note, Going for growth: Middle market private equity secondaries Troy joins Content Strategist Harrison Beck to examine how middle market PE secondaries offer the potential for growth at a reasonable price. He addresses the potential advantages of the middle market, what makes secondaries attractive, and how middle market private equity, combined with secondaries, may help serve investor needs for growth. “Middle market private equity may be the definition of growth at a reasonable price. And when we look at investor portfolios, they have very little exposure to this key area for growth going forward.” –Troy A. GayeskiHave a question for our experts? Text us for a chance to have your questions answered on the next episode.For more research insights go to FSInvestments.com https://bit.ly/m/fsinvestments

Join Sean Mooney in this episode of the Karma School of Business as he sits down with Mike Rubel, Managing Partner at RFE Investment Partners. With a career that spans from the bustling floors of investment banking to the strategic realm of private equity, Mike shares his journey into an industry where personal connections and market dynamics play a pivotal role. This conversation delves into Mike's early experiences at Harris Williams, his brief exploration of the hedge fund world, and his ultimate passion for the personal nature of private equity. Listen as Mike discusses the importance of finding unique companies, nurturing talent, and the critical role of culture in driving success within portfolio companies. Episode Highlights: 1:03 - Welcome and introduction to Mike Rubel's unique path to private equity. 5:17 - Exploring Mike Rubel's naval family tradition and its influence on his career. 10:14 - The significance of finding unique companies in traditional industries. 18:38 - Mike Rubel's approach to value creation and the role of human capital. 29:48 - The importance of culture and incentives in driving business success, and Mike's advice for enjoying the journey. For more information on RFE Investment Partners, go to https://www.rfeip.com/ For more information on Mike Rubel, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rubel-79820b2 For more information on BluWave and this podcast, go to https://www.bluwave.net/podcasts  

In this episode, Scott Becker interviews Richard Kes, Partner at RSM, to explore RSM’s dominant mid-market private equity practice and the current trends shaping the private equity landscape. Richard shares insights on deal flow, lending environments, and the growing focus on value-based care in healthcare investments.

The past few years have been dynamic for M&A. Rising interest rates, inflation and a host of other issues have brought uncertainty across numerous sectors. But still, deals are getting done. Kicking off the 2024 Philadelphia Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Bank of America's Jim Dever and Fritz Franz, Archetype Solutions' Chetan Bagga, PeopleShare's Ryan Clark and SeventySix Capital's Chad Stender share their experiences operating in this market and discuss what it takes to get M&A deals done in today's environment. 

On this podcast episode, Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward shares a conversation she had with Scott Higgins, President of Middle Market, National Property and Business Insurance Field at Travelers, about the complexities of the middle market insurance landscape. Scott shared highlights from a recent Travelers survey of 1,000 business decision-makers from midsize companies regarding their shopping patterns and preferences related to external suppliers and business partners.---Visit the Travelers Institute® website: http://travelersinstitute.org/ Join the Travelers Institute® email list: https://travl.rs/488XJZM Connect with Travelers Institute® President Joan Woodward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joan-kois-woodward/

In this episode, Matt Wolf, Senior Analyst and National Health Care Business Valuation Leader at RSM, joins the podcast to discuss the latest jobs report, its implications for Fed rate cuts, and how this economic environment is shaping private equity investments and growth strategies.

In this episode, Matt Wolf, Senior Healthcare Analyst and National Healthcare Business Valuation Leader at RSM, shares his expertise on the current state of private equity, highlighting the shift towards scalable, profitable growth, and the impact of macroeconomic tailwinds on investment strategies.

Show Summary: Exit options – what are your options? Understanding your own goals and the goals of potential buyers is key to achieving a successful sale of your middle market company. Buyer Jude David offers insights into the most common exit options, the differences between financial and strategic buyers, questions to consider in a self-inventory before preparing for the sale, and considerations for deal structure and leveraging M&A expertise to ultimately close your transaction. View the complete show notes for this episode. Want To Learn More?  M&A Basics | Why Do Business Owners Sell Their Business? Business Exit Plan & Strategy Checklist | A Complete Guide The Role of Family Offices in M&A Additional Resources: Selling your business? Schedule a free consultation today. Download The Art of The Exit: The Complete Guide to Selling Your Business Download Acquired: The Art of Selling a Business With $10 Million to $100 Million in Revenue Download Food and Beverage M&A: An Insider's Guide to Selling a Food or Beverage Manufacturing, Distribution, or Grocery Business. If you have any topic or guest suggestions, please email them to podcast@morganandwestfield.com.  

In this episode, Scott Becker interviews Richard Kes, Partner at RSM. They discuss key economic indicators impacting private equity, the outlook for interest rates, and the increasing focus on bolt-on acquisitions to drive growth in the middle market.