Eric Van Dam

And how are they succeeding? And we really try to unpack that in a lot of detail.

And how are they succeeding? And we really try to unpack that in a lot of detail.

Yeah, I mean, I'm happy to start. I mean, I'd say that last year was an interesting year across, you know, a lot of our residential service clients are impacted by weather. And it was one of the most mild weather years since 2016. And so it was a little bit of a slower year. There was also some caution around where are we from a macroeconomic standpoint? Are we heading into a recession?

Yeah, I mean, I'm happy to start. I mean, I'd say that last year was an interesting year across, you know, a lot of our residential service clients are impacted by weather. And it was one of the most mild weather years since 2016. And so it was a little bit of a slower year. There was also some caution around where are we from a macroeconomic standpoint? Are we heading into a recession?

Interest rates are rising. Debt is becoming a lot more expensive. Inflation. Yeah, inflation, all of those different factors. I think the market tone today is cautiously optimistic. There's a lot more comfort that we're beyond the recession risk. And so I'd say the business environment is improving for deals. Interest rates are still very high.

Interest rates are rising. Debt is becoming a lot more expensive. Inflation. Yeah, inflation, all of those different factors. I think the market tone today is cautiously optimistic. There's a lot more comfort that we're beyond the recession risk. And so I'd say the business environment is improving for deals. Interest rates are still very high.

So the cost of debt is high, which certainly has an impact. But there's some talk on when the Fed can start investing. lowering the rates, which would be tailwinds for our industry as well. So activity is picking up, and I think it's going to continue to accelerate into 2025.

So the cost of debt is high, which certainly has an impact. But there's some talk on when the Fed can start investing. lowering the rates, which would be tailwinds for our industry as well. So activity is picking up, and I think it's going to continue to accelerate into 2025.

They can either reach out via LinkedIn or my cell is 248-941-1151.

They can either reach out via LinkedIn or my cell is 248-941-1151.

Yeah. I mean, we always want to meet really good, strong leaders that have great businesses. And, you know, today, even if today it's a little bit small, if you're growing rapidly and have big ambitions, like those are the business owners that we want to meet. And so we always want to kind of expand our networks and the business owners that we know overall.

Yeah. I mean, we always want to meet really good, strong leaders that have great businesses. And, you know, today, even if today it's a little bit small, if you're growing rapidly and have big ambitions, like those are the business owners that we want to meet. And so we always want to kind of expand our networks and the business owners that we know overall.

Yeah, Barbarians at the Gate is a great one that inspired me to go into investment banking. But I think to add another one, a school or a book I had to read when I was in business school was called Understanding Michael Porter. And Michael Porter was a very well-known Harvard Business School professor that came up with a concept called Porter's Five Forces, which really

Yeah, Barbarians at the Gate is a great one that inspired me to go into investment banking. But I think to add another one, a school or a book I had to read when I was in business school was called Understanding Michael Porter. And Michael Porter was a very well-known Harvard Business School professor that came up with a concept called Porter's Five Forces, which really

breaks down an industry, gets into the competitive intensity of that industry. How much negotiating leverage do you have with suppliers? How much negotiating leverage do you have with customers? Are there threat of new entrants? Is there a threat of substitute products or services?

breaks down an industry, gets into the competitive intensity of that industry. How much negotiating leverage do you have with suppliers? How much negotiating leverage do you have with customers? Are there threat of new entrants? Is there a threat of substitute products or services?

And I think it would be a great book for business owners to really read and then take a step back and understand how does their business fit into this industry? And, you know, how can they compete a little bit differentiated and take advantage of maybe the ecosystem.

And I think it would be a great book for business owners to really read and then take a step back and understand how does their business fit into this industry? And, you know, how can they compete a little bit differentiated and take advantage of maybe the ecosystem.

I would just say as well, I mean, Tommy, it's been, thanks a lot for having us. And it's been awesome to see your journey all the way from, I think when we first met in 2017 or 2018 to where you are today. And, you know, I know the future is even brighter for you.

I would just say as well, I mean, Tommy, it's been, thanks a lot for having us. And it's been awesome to see your journey all the way from, I think when we first met in 2017 or 2018 to where you are today. And, you know, I know the future is even brighter for you.