Jon Staenberg

and their energy of being 35 and wanting to climb the mountain to take this company that's doing well already, profitable, and take it to the next level and grow it to the point where they can sell it to private equity at quite a different, much higher multiple of EBITDA. And that's part of the reason this works so well.

and their energy of being 35 and wanting to climb the mountain to take this company that's doing well already, profitable, and take it to the next level and grow it to the point where they can sell it to private equity at quite a different, much higher multiple of EBITDA. And that's part of the reason this works so well.

Well, a couple of things. Thanks. I am really excited about helping grow this ecosystem and being part of it. It's an amazing group of people. Part of the reason I love it so much is that the people who do this particular type of small business acquisition have been doing it together for a long time. People know each other. There's a familial kind of feeling to it. There's an academic feeling.

Well, a couple of things. Thanks. I am really excited about helping grow this ecosystem and being part of it. It's an amazing group of people. Part of the reason I love it so much is that the people who do this particular type of small business acquisition have been doing it together for a long time. People know each other. There's a familial kind of feeling to it. There's an academic feeling.

People are constantly trying to figure out even better practices. And so getting more ensconced in this world is such a pleasure. And of course, trying to add value myself, coming from my tech background of 30 years in venture,

People are constantly trying to figure out even better practices. And so getting more ensconced in this world is such a pleasure. And of course, trying to add value myself, coming from my tech background of 30 years in venture,

and having seen a few things and trying to bring a little bit of a different perspective, but still honoring and being committed to working with this incredible group of people in Playbook. In short, I'm looking forward to making our first fund be very, very successful. And then we're probably this year going to raise a second fund.

and having seen a few things and trying to bring a little bit of a different perspective, but still honoring and being committed to working with this incredible group of people in Playbook. In short, I'm looking forward to making our first fund be very, very successful. And then we're probably this year going to raise a second fund.

And so excited to continue to expand on what I think is the most exciting opportunity in my lifetime.

And so excited to continue to expand on what I think is the most exciting opportunity in my lifetime.

Well, nobody had ever done this, and I get it. You probably speak to people who have funds worth billions of dollars and changing the world and building companies that are Fortune 500 and beyond, et cetera. For me, The exciting part is being in this niche and creating a way for others to have access to this incredible asset class, this return profile, and the entrepreneurs.

Well, nobody had ever done this, and I get it. You probably speak to people who have funds worth billions of dollars and changing the world and building companies that are Fortune 500 and beyond, et cetera. For me, The exciting part is being in this niche and creating a way for others to have access to this incredible asset class, this return profile, and the entrepreneurs.

I mean, the people I've met are just incredible. Just last week, I was talking to someone who grew up in a very small town in Mexico. None of her family had ever gone to college. She decided she was going to go to college. She was a chemical engineer in the US and decided to go to business school, learn about search, went out and said, I'm going to go do search. She's incredible.

I mean, the people I've met are just incredible. Just last week, I was talking to someone who grew up in a very small town in Mexico. None of her family had ever gone to college. She decided she was going to go to college. She was a chemical engineer in the US and decided to go to business school, learn about search, went out and said, I'm going to go do search. She's incredible.

And she found a company that is such a need, but so profitable and she's going to grow it. And her excitement and being involved with her is exactly why I do this. So for me, that those stories are the reason I do this. And I'm looking forward to continuing to meet these great people who are doing this.

And she found a company that is such a need, but so profitable and she's going to grow it. And her excitement and being involved with her is exactly why I do this. So for me, that those stories are the reason I do this. And I'm looking forward to continuing to meet these great people who are doing this.

Well, the world's changing quickly. I, as you said, have been around for a little while doing this and I hesitate to say this, because we're warned never to say it, but it feels like this time is different. And so going forward, I think it's going to be really important. I have a teenage daughter.

Well, the world's changing quickly. I, as you said, have been around for a little while doing this and I hesitate to say this, because we're warned never to say it, but it feels like this time is different. And so going forward, I think it's going to be really important. I have a teenage daughter.

The world she's going to face in five and 10 years is going to look very different than the world as it looks today, I suspect. And for business leaders, keeping up with and adjusting and pivoting to these new realities is gonna be ever so important. But having said that, some of the basic foundational truths of what makes things work are not gonna go away, but the tool set

The world she's going to face in five and 10 years is going to look very different than the world as it looks today, I suspect. And for business leaders, keeping up with and adjusting and pivoting to these new realities is gonna be ever so important. But having said that, some of the basic foundational truths of what makes things work are not gonna go away, but the tool set