Best Shiv Narayanan Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 74: John Stewart, MiddleGround Capital | Optimizing Operations in Industrial Manufacturing Portcos 46:37

1h ago46:37

46:37

Shiv interviews John Stewart, Founder and Managing Partner at MiddleGround Capital. In this episode, John shares his expertise in investing in the industrial B2B manufacturing space — from his two decades at Toyota, to moving to the investment side of the equation. Learn about underwriting the value creation plan and creating enterprise value for i…

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#442: Alex McClafferty: What Happens When You Can't Outwork the Truth Anymore 1:08:27

16m ago1:08:27

1:08:27

What happens when the business you built no longer protects you from the parts of yourself you've been avoiding? Alex McClafferty co-founded and sold WP Curve to GoDaddy—but it wasn’t until after the exit that he found himself face-to-face with an identity crisis, emotional collapse, and a brutal confrontation with his shadow self. In this raw and …

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#441: What Happens After You Sell the Business? with John Rood 1:10:08

7d ago1:10:08

1:10:08

What really happens when an entrepreneur sells their business? For John Rood, it was the start of a deeply personal reckoning with identity, purpose, risk, and time. In this episode, we go beyond the typical exit story and talk about what it actually feels like to step away from the company you built—and what comes next when you’re no longer busy, …

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Ep. 73: Alex Russ, Evercore | How to Stand Out in the Fundraising Crowd 45:35

5d ago45:35

45:35

Shiv interviews Alex Russ, Senior Managing Director & Head of North America at Evercore’s Private Funds Group. In this episode, Alex shares his experience helping private equity GPs raise funds from LPs. Learn how to approach fundraising in the current market, the characteristics that successful fundraisers have in common, and the importance of a s…

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#440: Cash, Risk, and the Real Reason Most Deals Fall Apart with Elliott Holland 1:45:16

14d ago1:45:16

1:45:16

This episode is fire. Elliott Holland is a straight shooter who has seen hundreds of deals from every angle—searcher, investor, operator, and QofE provider. In this conversation, we cut through the noise to talk about what’s really going on in the acquisition market, why most self-funded searchers fail, and how owners can actually position their bu…

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Ep. 72: Chris Sznewajs, Pacific Avenue Capital | Investing in Companies with “Unnatural” Owners 43:43

13d ago43:43

43:43

Shiv interviews Chris Sznewajs, Founder and Managing Partner at Pacific Avenue Capital. In this episode, Chris and Shiv discuss carve-outs, buyouts, and the non-traditional types of investment deals available for “unnatural” owners – founders and investors who are ready for a transition. Learn how to underwrite these types of deals, and what benchm…

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#439: How to Build a Marketing Engine That Ties to Sales, Value, and Cash Flow with Kim Clark 1:25:39

18d ago1:25:39

1:25:39

Most business owners are exhausted by marketing that feels like a black box—random tactics, disconnected agencies, and no clear ROI. Kim Clark knows that pain—and she’s built the solution. As the former head of sales and marketing at ITR Economics, Kim helped transform the business from a founder-led consulting firm into a scalable company that exi…

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#438: What a Great CFO Actually Does (And Why Most Owners Have the Wrong Expectations) with Pat Hobby 1:26:13

26d ago1:26:13

1:26:13

This episode sets the bar. Pat Hobby, my former business partner, is one of the best CFOs I’ve ever worked with. He’s not just a CPA or an operator—he brings an investor mindset and decades of experience managing financials with the purpose of building long-term value. In this conversation, we break down exactly what a business owner should expect …

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Ep. 71: Amanda Kim, Avante Capital Partners | How Your Mission Can Be a Valuable Differentiator 38:09

28d ago38:09

38:09

On this episode of the Private Equity Value Creation podcast, Shiv speaks with Amanda Kim, Principal at Avante Capital Partners. As a majority women- and minority-owned private credit and structured equity fund, the team at Avante Capital Partners uses their unique insights and network to win deals, generate better returns and help women advance in…

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#437: He Did What Most Business Owners Only Dream About—Rob Dube’s Story 1:14:44

1M ago1:14:44

1:14:44

Many owner-operators begin their journey driven by the vision of personal and financial independence, only to find themselves entrenched in the daily operations, unable to step away without fear of chaos. In this episode, I talk with Rob Dube, co-founder of ImageOne and visionary behind The 10 Disciplines for Managing and Maximizing Your Energy™, a…

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#436: Integrating Strategy, Execution, and Financial Clarity with Shannon Susko 1:12:46

1M ago1:12:46

1:12:46

Today I'm talking with Shannon Susko, a serial entrepreneur who developed the 3HAG (3-Year Highly Achievable Goal) and Metronomics frameworks. What sets Shannon's approach apart is how directly it connects your strategic plan and execution rhythms to clear, measurable financial outcomes. It's an operating system built specifically for business owne…

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Ep 70: Mason Myers, Greybull Stewardship | Building Foundational Growth in Pre-Mid-Market Portcos 39:18

1M ago39:18

39:18

Shiv interviews Mason Myers, Founder and CEO at Greybull Stewardship. In this episode, Mason explains why Greybull Stewardship focuses on pre-middle-market companies and the steps they take to set these companies up to be true middle-market companies primed for PE backing. Learn how they take companies under $5M in EBITDA and grow them organically,…

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#435: The New SBA Playbook for Acquisitions with John Thwing 1:35:53

2M ago1:35:53

1:35:53

SBA loans have always been a key tool for financing business acquisitions, but recent changes have opened up new opportunities for both buyers and sellers. If you're thinking about selling your business, acquiring one, or financing a transition, these updates could have a major impact on your strategy. Watch on YouTube In this episode, I sit down w…

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Ep. 69: Devon Kirk and Jonathan Metrick, Portage | How Investment and Ops Teams Can Work Together 41:28

2M ago41:28

41:28

Shiv interviews Devon Kirk, General Partner, and Jonathan Metrick, Chief Growth Officer at Portage. Devon and Jonathan share their perspectives from different sides of the investment table – Devon is on the investing team while Jonathan is on the internal ops team. Learn about their experiences investing in global FinTech and financial services, wh…

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Ep. 68: Joseph Hanna, Pivoting Model Partners | Product, Pivoting, and AI as Agents 49:50

2M ago49:50

49:50

Shiv interviews Joseph Hanna, Founding Partner at Pivoting Model Partners. In this episode, Joseph talks about differentiating between your product’s feature set and the customer’s perceived value in that feature set. Learn why companies should consider pivoting to AI to grow and sustain their business, and how companies can deploy and leverage AI …

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#434: Q1 Economic & M&A Update with ITR Economics, ButcherJosheph, & Joe Brown 2:12:57

2M ago2:12:57

2:12:57

The economy is shifting fast, and if you’re a middle-market business owner, the moves you make today will define your future—whether that’s navigating capital markets, securing financing, or making critical reinvestment decisions. Watch on YouTube In this Quarterly Economic & M&A Update, I bring together three powerhouse guests to give you real-tim…

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Ep.67: Jim Sharpe, Unity Partners | Aligning Values with Growing Portcos 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

Shiv interviews Jim Sharpe, Partner and Head of Propel at Unity Partners. In this episode, Jim talks about how to truly action a company’s values and incorporate them into your growth plans while ensuring alignment with founders. Learn about building a culture of ownership, how to use employee equity as a growth strategy, and why clear and transpar…

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Ep. 66: The Future of General vs Vertical AI | Shiv Narayanan, How To SaaS 40:50

2M ago40:50

40:50

Shiv Narayanan, Founder and CEO of How To SaaS, explains how AI can be leveraged by the private equity world. Learn about the differences between general and verticalized (or specialized) AI and how data is the product. Listen to how PE firms can use AI in the diligence phase, and the business strategy for companies to build their own vertical AI t…

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#433: Designing Your Future Org Chart: How to Build a Scalable, Owner-Independent Business with Mike Frommelt and Rick Rittmaster 1:38:37

2M ago1:38:37

1:38:37

Scaling a business isn’t just about increasing revenue—it’s about building the right leadership team to support that growth. Too often, business owners get stuck because their team isn’t structured for the future, leaving them to fill the gaps instead of leading strategically. Watch on YouTube In this episode, I sit down with Rick Rittmaster and Mi…

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Ep. 65: Josh Schwartz, Growth Factors | Navigating Growth As An Operating Partner 38:48

2M ago38:48

38:48

Shiv interviews Josh Schwartz, Operating Principal at Growth Factors. In this episode, Josh talks about the unique operating partner model between Growth Factors and Bregal Sagemount. Learn his approach to value creation from the GTM side, how to look for growth levers during diligence, and how to navigate the political dynamics between operating p…

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#432: Why More Growth Won’t Set You Free (And What Will) with Nick Bradley 1:45:48

2M ago1:45:48

1:45:48

More revenue, more employees, and more complexity can actually pull you deeper into the day-to-day grind—unless your business is structured the right way. Watch on YouTube In this episode, I sit down with Nick Bradley, a business growth strategist and private equity veteran who has worked on billion-dollar deals and now helps business owners scale …

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Ep. 64: Todd Morrissey, Hidden River Strategic Capital | Alternative Avenues for Underserviced Companies 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

Shiv interviews Todd Morrissey, Partner at Hidden River Strategic Capital. In this episode, Todd shares alternative avenues for founders and entrepreneurs other than a growth equity buyout and private credit deals. Learn how they help companies determine how much capital they need to scale, the opportunities for combining debt and equity as an inve…

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#431: Turning Crisis into a Scalable ESOP with Heather Braimbridge-Cox and Bill Mills 1:38:06

3M ago1:38:06

1:38:06

Many business owners dream of building a company that thrives without them, but few understand what it takes to make that a reality—especially when facing a leadership crisis. In this episode, I sit down with Heather Braimbridge-Cox, CEO of Windings, and Bill Mills, founder of The Leadership Process™, to break down how to transform a struggling cul…

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Ep. 63: Brad Armstrong, LMP | Supporting Portcos With an Advisor Bench 35:46

3M ago35:46

35:46

Shiv interviews Brad Armstrong, Partner at Lovell Minnick Partners (LMP). In this episode, Shiv and Brad talk about LMP’s approach to supporting their portfolio companies with a robust operating partner bench, as well as how to prioritize where to allocate budget, resources, and advisors when making value creation plans. Learn about weaponizing the…

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#430: Cash vs. Valuation: Why Entrepreneurs Get Trapped in the Wrong Financial Metrics with Patrick Donohue 1:26:08

3M ago1:26:08

1:26:08

I’ve spent the last handful of episodes diving deep into business valuations, M&A jargon, and how buyers think about value. But here’s the thing—most of it doesn’t matter unless you actually have cash left over at the end of the day. Watch on YouTube That’s why I brought Patrick Donohue back on the show. He and I have been in the trenches, working …

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#429: How to Engineer Business Value: Scaling Smart, Hiring Right, and Creating Freedom with Rens Hayes 1:40:27

3M ago1:40:27

1:40:27

Most business owners go through a pivotal moment—their first real look behind the curtain at how buyers value companies. For Rens Hayes, that moment came when he went through a sale and due diligence process for his father’s structural steel business. What he learned from that experience completely changed how he approached building and scaling his…

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Ep. 62: Stephen Marks, Emmersion Capital | How to Navigate the Rewards and Risks of Nearshoring 40:48

3M ago40:48

40:48

Shiv interviews Stephen Marks, Managing Director, Emmersion Capital. In this episode, Shiv and Stephen discuss the benefits and challenges of nearshoring, including the economies of scaling your workforce in Latin America, onboarding and company culture, as well as macroeconomic risks and political challenges. Learn about labor arbitrage opportunit…

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#428: Cutting Through the Noise: Why Free Cash Flow Is the Only Metric That Matters with Ken Sanginario 1:20:13

3M ago1:20:13

1:20:13

In a world full of business jargon and complicated metrics, free cash flow stands out as the foundation of value creation for both owner-operators and investors. kXVm3nQBij8 Watch on YouTube Ken Sanginario returns to focus on this core principle, unpacking the noise around financial metrics and zeroing in on sustainable free cash flow—cash availabl…

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Ep. 61: Diamond Innabi, Software Equity Group | Relationships between Founders and Investment Banks 30:44

3M ago30:44

30:44

Shiv interviews Diamond Innabi, Principal at Software Equity Group. In this episode, Diamond shares how investment banks can help founders position their companies to increase the likelihood of transactions. Learn how successful founders think about the process of exiting, as well as how to maximize the valuation of a transaction and ensure the int…

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#427: Navigating Deal Structures: The Hidden Factors That Impact Your Net Proceeds with Dave Diehl 1:22:10

3M ago1:22:10

1:22:10

Most business owners focus on the offer price when selling their business—but the deal structure is what ultimately determines how much you walk away with, when you get it, and how much risk you take on. Watch on YouTube In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Dave Diehl, CEO of Prairie Capital Advisors, to demystify the complex…

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Ep. 60: Creating Enterprise Value With Marketing | Shiv Narayanan, How To SaaS | 35:14

4M ago35:14

35:14

Shiv Narayanan, Founder and CEO at How To SaaS, shares his presentation from Silicon Y’All 2024. Learn about the nine critical marketing problems most companies face, from poor gross revenue and net retention problems to not generating enough traffic or leads. Shiv also shares the five most common value creation scenarios and the four major marketi…

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#426: Understanding Buyers: How Ownership Structures Shape M&A Goals with Jeff Buettner 1:16:07

4M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

Most business owners think a high offer price is the ultimate goal in selling their business—but the truth is, every buyer has their own game plan, and not all offers are created equal. Watch on YouTube In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Jeff Buettner from ButcherJoseph to explore how private equity firms, strategic buyers,…

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#425: Unlocking Business Value: Practical Tools for Growth and Ownership Goals with Ken Sanginario & John Lawlor 1:52:17

4M ago1:52:17

1:52:17

As a business owner, you’ve likely heard terms like EBITDA, working capital, and Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)—but do they feel relevant to your day-to-day decisions? In this episode, I sit down with Ken Sanginario and John Lawlor to demystify these concepts and show how they directly impact your ability to grow, scale, and transition you…

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Ep. 59: John Bailey, OneFund Investments | What To Look For in PE Operating Teams and Partners 36:32

4M ago36:32

36:32

Shiv interviews John Bailey, Co-Founder at OneFund Investments. In this episode, John shares how he runs his fund of funds, how he vets the PE firms they invest in, and the pros and cons of how PE firms approach operating teams. Learn about key differences between the three models for operating teams within PE firms, how to build a lean (but impact…

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#424: Scaling for Sanity: Jimmy Fritz on Balancing Growth, Cash Flow, and Life 1:40:22

4M ago1:40:22

1:40:22

Running a business often feels like juggling flaming torches—especially when cash flow, growth, and operations clash with your personal goals. Today, I sit down with Jimmy Fritz, a good friend and second-generation business owner of The Wedding Shoppe and Kennedy Blue, to unpack his journey from being entrenched in daily operations to becoming a tr…

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#423: From Financial Confusion to Clarity: Unlocking the 14 Ownership KPIs with Tracy Bech 2:07:35

4M ago2:07:35

2:07:35

Many business owners struggle to connect their financials to actionable insights and ownership goals. In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Tracy Bech—founder of the 60-Minute CFO and creator of a financial forecasting system that simplifies the three-statement model—to break down the 14 Ownership KPIs that every owner-operato…

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#422: From Operator to Owner: Redefining the CEO Role with Joel Trammell 1:05:10

5M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

Many business owners wrestle with understanding the CEO’s role and its connection to ownership. In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Joel Trammell—a seasoned entrepreneur who has grown and sold two companies to nine-figure exits—to break down what a CEO truly does, how the role aligns with ownership, and how owners can transi…

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#421: Mike Michalowicz: Go All In: Unleash the Power of Ownership & Build Unstoppable Teams 58:15

5M ago58:15

58:15

If you’ve ever read Profit First or The Pumpkin Plan, you know Mike Michalowicz delivers game-changing ideas for entrepreneurs. In this episode, we dive into his newest book, All In, and talk about the systems, frameworks, and mindset shifts you need to build a business that thrives—with or without you in the room. Watch on YouTube Mike and I tackl…

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#420: Closing the Execution Gap: Systematize Your Culture & Step Back with Confidence with Bill Mills 1:35:55

5M ago1:35:55

1:35:55

If you’ve ever wondered how to protect and scale your company’s culture while cutting down on friction, drama, and the “execution gaps” that keep you stuck in the weeds, this episode is for you. I sit down with Bill Mills, founder of The Leadership Process, to dive into the strategies that help owner-operators like you align your team, systematize …

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#419: From Hustle to Freedom: How to Build a Business That Runs Without You with Jean Moncrieff 1:08:27

5M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

What happens when the business you thought would set you free starts to feel like a prison? In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Jean Moncreiff, a seasoned entrepreneur turned coach, to unpack the hard lessons he learned scaling businesses, juggling cash flow nightmares, and realizing he was building a job, not independence. …

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Ep. 58: Scott Stouffer, scaleMatters | Using Data to Make Effective Go-To-Market Investments 48:46

5M ago48:46

48:46

This episode is sponsored by scaleMatters. In this episode, Shiv Narayanan interviews Scott Stouffer, CEO and Founder at scaleMatters, to talk all about data – data hygiene, data infrastructure, and the insights that come from data to make those important value creation decisions. Learn how scaleMatters – a firm that specializes in go-to-market ana…

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#418: Walker Deibel: Buy Then Build, Acquisition Entrepreneurship, and Unlocking Wealth in the Middle Market 1:37:32

6M ago1:37:32

1:37:32

In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Walker Deibel, author of Buy Then Build and founder of Acquisition Lab, to uncover the strategies that turn owner-operators into true business owners. Walker shares his expertise on how to use acquisitions to build wealth and create independence by aligning your business with your long-ter…

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Ep. 57: Sean Cantwell, Volition Capital | Growing Portcos by Building the Operations Function 40:38

6M ago40:38

40:38

Shiv interviews Sean Cantwell, Managing Partner at Volition Capital. In this episode, Sean shares how Volition Capital’s operations teams support their portcos with the resources, tools, and frameworks they need to grow. Learn about best practices including portfolio summits, internal resource portals, and training. Hear about when it makes sense t…

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#417: Mastering Profitability in a Professional Services Firm with Marcel Petitpas 1:22:29

6M ago1:22:29

1:22:29

In this episode of Independence by Design™, I sit down with Marcel Petitpas, a visionary in operational clarity and profitability for professional services. Marcel's journey as the CEO of Parakeeto has been marked by solving one of the most complex puzzles in professional services—mastering profitability through operational data. We explore his per…

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Ep. 56: Jordon Kruse & Matt Wilson, Oaktree Capital | Opportunities in Special Situations Investing 43:56

6M ago43:56

43:56

Shiv interviews Jordon Kruse, Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, and Matt Wilson, Managing Director and Co-Portfolio Manager, at Oaktree Capital. In this episode, Matt and Jordon explain their approach to special situations investing, including rescue financing transactions where they restructure the debt and balance sheet of companies. Th…

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#416: Behind the Curtain: How Ultra-Wealthy Families Manage Their Business Assets with Brandon Henry 1:09:37

6M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

In this episode of Independence by Design™, I have a fascinating discussion with Brandon Henry, who works closely with billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth families as part of a family office. This conversation is invaluable for owner-operators running middle-market companies, offering a glimpse into the world of sophisticated wealth management an…

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Ep. 55: Inovia Capital Panel | Making Acquisitions A Success From the People, Cultural, and Technical Side 39:14

6M ago39:14

39:14

Shiv interviews Krista Skalde, Chief Talent Officer Partner at Inovia Capital, Meryl Almeida, Director of Corporate Development at Inovia Capital, and Kory Jeffrey, Principal & VP, Technology at Inovia Capital. In this episode, Krista, Meryl, and Kory share how they evaluate acquisitions, how to create value from a corp dev perspective, and how to …

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#415: Everyone Gets Punched in the Face: A Framework for Planning with Tom Walker 1:07:52

6M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

In this episode, I sit down with Tom Walker, a financial strategist who’s all about connecting the big picture to the details—uncovering hidden constraints, planning for the unexpected, and transforming companies into resilient, wealth-generating assets. Tom brings a no-nonsense approach to planning, not to predict every outcome, but to create a fr…

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Ep.54: Aldy Keene, Loyalty Research Center | The Importance of Customer Loyalty for Portcos 41:46

6M ago41:46

41:46

Shiv interviews Aldy Keene, CEO at Loyalty Research Center. In this episode, Aldy shares how to evaluate the quality of relationships to understand how loyal a company’s customer base really is, and how both founders and investors can use that data to create value. Learn why companies should spend more time analyzing their customer base, how to fin…

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#414: How to Navigate a Third-Party Sale with an Investment Banker with Adam Webb 1:25:44

7M ago1:25:44

1:25:44

Demystify what it means to prepare for a third-party sale and how an investment banker can be a game-changer in that process. For owners weighing their exit options, Adam shares insights on how to gauge your business’s market value from a third-party buyer’s perspective—highlighting what you need to know about valuations, strategic buyer selection,…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Shiv Narayanan Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen