Rob Parker

but no two weeks look the same. I mean, they're all different. And I mean, and we are, as one of the things I think has been an advantage for us is that there are two of us. We're two senior people in our organization and we're both all in on the deals we work on together. And that makes a big difference. No two weeks are the same. That last month is intense.

but no two weeks look the same. I mean, they're all different. And I mean, and we are, as one of the things I think has been an advantage for us is that there are two of us. We're two senior people in our organization and we're both all in on the deals we work on together. And that makes a big difference. No two weeks are the same. That last month is intense.

You're juggling multiple groups through due diligence. You're juggling multiple groups in a purchase agreement legal negotiation, multiple groups in an economic price negotiation, and you've got to manage it all in a way that makes... each one feel like there's competition. They could win, but they could lose too. So they got to feel like, okay, I've got a chance. I feel good.

You're juggling multiple groups through due diligence. You're juggling multiple groups in a purchase agreement legal negotiation, multiple groups in an economic price negotiation, and you've got to manage it all in a way that makes... each one feel like there's competition. They could win, but they could lose too. So they got to feel like, okay, I've got a chance. I feel good.

They're treating me fairly. I think they're giving me good information, but they're not letting me think it's mine. I still have to go compete and win. And at the end of the day, I think in that final month,

They're treating me fairly. I think they're giving me good information, but they're not letting me think it's mine. I still have to go compete and win. And at the end of the day, I think in that final month,

When Eric and I can say it was a successful outcome is when our client's happy and we got them the best price that was available in the market with the partner they wanted to be with and everyone in the process, all the buyers, the one that won and all the ones that didn't win,

When Eric and I can say it was a successful outcome is when our client's happy and we got them the best price that was available in the market with the partner they wanted to be with and everyone in the process, all the buyers, the one that won and all the ones that didn't win,

felt like they were treated fairly and that we were honest with them and we were fair with them, that's when he and I have done our job. And that second part is, it's as important as the first part.

felt like they were treated fairly and that we were honest with them and we were fair with them, that's when he and I have done our job. And that second part is, it's as important as the first part.

Our business is very much a reputation business and treating people the right way and being fair with people and giving people a fair chance and being honest with them, it's an important part of the process. And I think it's an important part of why people will stay in processes that he and I are leading.

Our business is very much a reputation business and treating people the right way and being fair with people and giving people a fair chance and being honest with them, it's an important part of the process. And I think it's an important part of why people will stay in processes that he and I are leading.

Yeah, Tommy, there's so much money in the world that wants to invest in the middle market. Private companies in the middle market in the United States have been such a great place to invest and will continue to be. There's a lot of money that wants to do deals here. And Yeah, 2023 was lighter in terms of volume. You know, 21 and 22 were very hot years. Interest rates had cycled up so much.

Yeah, Tommy, there's so much money in the world that wants to invest in the middle market. Private companies in the middle market in the United States have been such a great place to invest and will continue to be. There's a lot of money that wants to do deals here. And Yeah, 2023 was lighter in terms of volume. You know, 21 and 22 were very hot years. Interest rates had cycled up so much.

We were probably due for a little bit of a breather. 2024 is ramping back up. I think that there's going to be a need to begin returning some capital to all these institutions that invested in these private equity funds. So they can go raise the next fund and keep investing in this space. So it's the long-term dynamics in our sector are so good.

We were probably due for a little bit of a breather. 2024 is ramping back up. I think that there's going to be a need to begin returning some capital to all these institutions that invested in these private equity funds. So they can go raise the next fund and keep investing in this space. So it's the long-term dynamics in our sector are so good.

And there may be a year or two or a quarter or two here and there that are a little bit lighter, but there's always activity. There's always money for a good deal. And so what Eric and I focus our time on is finding good deals because there's always a market for those.

And there may be a year or two or a quarter or two here and there that are a little bit lighter, but there's always activity. There's always money for a good deal. And so what Eric and I focus our time on is finding good deals because there's always a market for those.

Yeah, I mean, there is no hard and fast rule. I mean, we like to work with great companies and work with great people. And there isn't a hard and fast, a sort of a bright line where we won't go below or go above it. For us, it's about finding winners in their space and being their advisor. And if we do our job right, we can be their advisor multiple times over and over.

Yeah, I mean, there is no hard and fast rule. I mean, we like to work with great companies and work with great people. And there isn't a hard and fast, a sort of a bright line where we won't go below or go above it. For us, it's about finding winners in their space and being their advisor. And if we do our job right, we can be their advisor multiple times over and over.