ETA Insider Podcast
Episodes
From Diligence to Dashboards: How Finance Shapes Search Success
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we are joined by Jake Bitz, Director of Client Accounting & Advisory Services and Consulting CFO at Boulay...
Redefining ETA in the Public Markets
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we sit down with JT Fitzgerald, CEO of Kingsway Financial Services—the only U.S. public company embracin...
Hard Lessons, Resilience, and the Future of ETA
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Jason Jackson shares his journey from first discovering ETA at the 2014 Booth-Kellogg Conference to naviga...
When Search Meets Real Life
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we explore the unique intersection of family, career, and community within the world of ETA with Cat Litte...
Operating in the White Space of ETA in Mexico
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Operating in the White Space of ETA in Mexico by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Cracking the Code on a Non-Traditional ETA Journey
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Jake Levine, MBA '19, CEO of ROBO, an Austin-based IT managed service provider. Jake shares his non-traditional path...
How a Recovering Attorney Built a Healthcare Empire
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Keith Burns and his journey behind leaving a legal career and a promising path in finance to pursue ETA. Keith share...
The Art of ETA and High-Quality Revenue
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast welcomes Christine Koval, founder of Next Haven Group. Christine shares her journey from successful ...
Entrepreneurial Lessons of Grit, Growth, and Giving Back
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider podcast, we are joined by Michael Aubrey, Partner at Shore Search Partners. Michael shares his compelling entrepren...
Building ETA Boards and Deals
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast welcomes Anthony Walker, MBA ’14, an influential figure in the ETA investment space. Anthony bring...
Peace Corps to Self Funded Search
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this month’s episode, we sit down with Mark Jackson, MBA ’11, Co-Founder of Centennial Investment Partners, and operator to several business he...
The Power of a Business Thesis in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we speak with Brian Wolfe, who co-led a self-funded ETA search, which he and his partner sold to Alpine In...
Balancing Business, Family, and ETA
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this month’s episode, Marcela Fernandez, founder of Olive Ridge Partners, discusses her journey into ETA alongside her husband, Andrew. Originall...
Opportunity in ETA
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, host Brian O'Connor sits down with Gabe Barkley, former CEO of MHW. Gabe acquired and led MHW through an i...
Search Fund Lifecycle Unveiled: Navigating ETA with Boulay
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, join host Brian O'Connor as he sits down with Ryan Turbes and Clay Brownlee, partners at Boulay, a Top 100...
The Evolution of Search Funds
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features Lacey Wismer, Founder and Managing Partner of Hunter Search Capital and Co-Founder of the Women's Search Network. In ...
Realizing Growth and Vision through Transforming “Boutique” Accounting Firms
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features Reyes Florez, MBA ’14, CEO and Founder of the Platform Accounting Group, a private equity-backed business services c...
Exploring ETA in New and Emerging Markets
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features Rob LeBlanc, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at ambit partners. The discussion highlights the growing momentum of ETA in...
Fostering Collaboration and Mentorship for Success
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features Sara Rosenthal, partner at TTCER Partners and co-founder of the Women's Search Network, who shares her journey in the ...
Finding Success in the Pacific Northwest: Acquiring a Franchise Business
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features Chris Richling, MBA ’14, owner of a franchise business in Seattle. Chris shares his entrepreneurial journey from sea...
Live from the Harper Center: Acquiring for Long-Term
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features a live recording from the Harper Center with Aizik Zimerman, MBA ’23, CEO of J Blanton Plumbing, a business he acqui...
Exploring the Future of ETA
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features a discussion with AJ Wasserstein, Professor, Yale School of Management, on the rapidly changing world of search funds....
From Wall Street to Main Street: A Journey in Industrial Entrepreneurship
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode features Peter Jackson, the owner and CEO of Miller Industrial, as he shares his remarkable journey from the world of Wall Stre...
From Finance to Innovation: A CEO's Journey
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Marc Shiffman, MBA ’94, Former President & CEO of SMS Assist. In this episode, we explore...
Decision Making Moments in ETA
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Manvendra Saxena, Founder and Chairman at Mars Energy Group. Manny discusses navigating the...
Navigating ETA & SBA
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Lisa Forrest, Director of Live Oak Bank. At the time of the taping last March, the LMM SBA ...
Navigating Personal and Financial Risk in Entrepreneurship
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Tim Lahey, CEO of r:Home, a technology concierge company, who shares his journey into entre...
Diverse Perspectives in ETA: Building Resumes and Teams for Success
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Clement Lucas, Principal of Relay Investment, a diverse firm based out of Boston that focus...
Risk in ETA from an Investor’s Point of View
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month’s episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Jan Simon, the Managing Partner of Vonzeo Capital, a Professor of the Practice of Managemen...
From Sponsored Searcher to Operator: Creating Your Own Path with ETA
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Brian interviews Nick Oberhouse, MBA ‘20, CEO of DAWGS (Door and Window Guard Systems, Inc.). After grad...
Live from the Harper Center: Next Steps in the ETA Journey Post-Exit
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This special edition, live episode of the ETA Insider Podcast features Brian Vanderheyden, MBA ‘14, Founder and CEO of Glass Lake Holdings. When Bri...
Combining Passion with Expertise: Advice on Operating
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Mia Jackson, CEO of Vital Care Industries, a medical surgical supplies manufacturer. With a background in operations, supply cha...
Reflections on Serial Acquisitions and Long-Term Growth
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Brian interviews Jason Pananos and Jay Davis, cofounders of the Nashton Company, on their careers in entrepreneurship through acquisition. Jason and J...
Navigating the Partner Led Search
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Addie Epstein and Ashley Quisol, principals and cofounders of Benton Place Partners, join Brian to discuss their journey into entrepreneurship through...
Examining ETA's Growth Potential in Frontier Markets
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Santiago Perez Teuffer, Managing Partner at Cerralvo Capital - a search fund investment firm based in Mexico City - discusses his journey into the wor...
Building Alpine Investors with Graham Weaver
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Graham Weaver, founder and CEO of Alpine Investors, joins the podcast to tell the story of Alpine's evolution. Graham focuses on key times (the Great ...
Perspectives on a Purposeful ETA Career
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Industry veteran David Dodson joins Brian to talk about his successful and varied career in the Entrepreneurship through Acquisition community. From h...
Creating a Great Leadership Transition at TGI Direct
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Monica Weaver, MBA '07 talks through her first two years of leadership at TGI Direct, a company that manages direct mail in highly regulated industrie...
Self Funded Search From Multiple Angles
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Graham talks through his busy roles first as the CEO of Pilar Health Group, a company he acquired through a partnered self funded search in 201...
Reflections on 30 Years of Successful Search Entrepreneurship
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Cousin joins to talk about his career as an ETA entrepreneur. His story is full of rich anecdotes from acquiring and building onto a woodworkin...
Working on the business versus in the business with Brian Kruse
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Kruse, MBA '18, joins the podcast to talk about his first year as the owner/operator of Legacy Roofing in Ohio. The two talk about how to identi...
Celebrating an Exit at T Base Communications
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brian chats with Trevor Lwin, MBA ’12, about his round trip ETA journey. Trevor discusses his introduction to the model during his time as an execut...
Family Business Lessons for ETA Searchers and Operators
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jamie Shah, MBA ’13, joins the podcast to talk about family enterprise and her experiences after joining her family’s company Chem-Impex Intl. Jam...
Celebrating a Growth Recapitalization at Applied Data Corporation
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Brian is joined by frequent podcast guest, Shamus Hines, MBA '15, and Chicago Booth professor Steve Morrissette, MBA '90, to discuss the exciting grow...
Reid Tileston's Self-Funded Search "An A+ in Diligence"
08 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reid Tileston, MBA '15, and Brian O'Connor discuss the in depth, and often, involved diligence efforts that Reid went through in purchasing Giddings H...
Update on the ETA Journey: New Operators During Covid 19
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of the ETA podcast Brian re-visits (previously featured on the 2018 episode Navigating Your Search) Booth alums Jessica Markowitz, MBA...
Creating Better Products and Businesses-Jerry Callahan's Inventive Entrepreneurship
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
“Well there’s gotta be a better way to do this!” This is the rallying cry of HeatWorks CEO Jerry Callahan, MBA ’88. From cardboard point of pu...
CEO Hacks with Alyssa Rapp
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Fresh off her new book, Leadership and Life Hacks, Alyssa Rapp joins Brian to talk about her transition from founding and leading every wine drinker’...
The Power of the Search Pivot
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Tobey discusses his successful transition from Booth graduate to investment banker to owner/operator of Hose Monster, and the search pivot tha...
Operating During the Covid-19 Crisis
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Booth alum Brian Vanderheyden, CEO of Richmond Alarm Company, reflects on how he began his ETA journey, executing on the herculean task of launching a...
Live from the 2019 Booth-Kellogg ETA Conference: Fireside Chat with Eric Roza
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Roza is executive-in-residence with General Catalyst (one of the country’s leading venture capital firms) and serves as Chairman of TrueCoach (...
An Entrepreneurial Transition to Private Equity
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the ETA podcast features Nick Somers, MBA ’88, managing partner of Somers Investment Partners. After getting his start in investment...
Update on the ETA Journey: From Searcher to Operator
15 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This edition of the ETA podcast features Booth alum Shamus Hines, CEO of Applied Data Corporation (ADC), a fresh item management software company. Fea...
Growth Strategy: Creatively Approaching Acquisitions
11 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the ETA podcast features Ryan Jones, CEO of Dynamic Growth Dental Support, a dental support organization that was formed to provide th...
The Partner Led Search – Complementary Skill Sets and Delineation of Roles
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago Booth alums Erick Laseca and Giovanni Barbat discuss their partnered search experience and the important characteristics of their team that le...
Democratizing the Digital Supply Chain
02 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Booth alum Nathan Dey, discusses how his investment banking experience led him to take the entrepreneurial leap and pursue ETA, eventually stepping in...
Taking the Leap of Faith to Pursue ETA
16 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Booth alum Gabe Barkley, CEO of MHW, reflects on his early entrepreneurial aspirations that led him from a post-college position at a wine shop to the...
Transitioning from Military Leadership to Business Leadership
04 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Booth alum Charles Mullenger, CEO of Ethos Evacuation Strategies d/b/a MedSled, discusses the correlations between leading a team in a military enviro...
Finding the Right Fit: Lessons Learned through a Partner Led Search
16 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago Booth alum Michael Curry, CEO of Krueger Gilbert Health Physics and Apex Physics Partners takes us through his entrepreneurial journey from bo...
Beyond the First 100 Days: Building a United Culture
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Swinney, CEO of Kodiak Building Partners, speaks to the importance of finding balance between the pace of acquisitions and maintaining an operat...
Building a Practice to Service Entrepreneurs: The “Volume Game” of the Search
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chicago Booth alum Phil Colaco, global leader for the corporate finance advisory practice at Deloitte, draws parallels between Deloitte’s investment...
Growing an Investment Business
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Ivan Zinn, founder and managing partner of Atalaya Capital Management, elaborates on the evolutionary changes in the credit industry as it relates to ...
Technology in ETA: Acquiring and Running a Software-Driven Business
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, David Rhodes, a technology consultant and active ETA investor, discusses how he advises search entrepreneurs when they have interest ...
Success as a Self-Funded Searcher: Benefits of Funding Your Own Deal
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Chicago Booth alum Darrin Shillair, president of Specialty Sales LLC, discusses his ETA journey and explains the benefits of pursuing...
ETA Alternatives: Management Buyout (MBO)
25 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our host Brian O'Connor is joined by Dan Kessler, partner at Cyprium Partners, and Ken Sander, former chairman and CEO of Kellermeyer...
Lessons Learned as a First-Time Operator
02 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Agnew, president and CEO of Lou Malnati’s and adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Chicago Booth, speaks about his journey with Lou Malnati...
Staying the Course: Insight into Growing your Business to a Successful Exit
02 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Successful entrepreneur Rob Swanson, former founder and CEO of RAS & Associates, shares his experience founding a company, driving growth through sale...
ETA Alternatives: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP)
02 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mary Josephs, founder and CEO of Verit Advisors, discusses employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) and their role in ETA. She provides ...
Navigating Your Search: Lessons Learned Along the Way
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Co-founders and Principals of Calyx Capital Partners, Trista Engel and Jessica Markowitz discuss their ETA journey and how they came together to form ...
ETA Alternatives: The Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC)
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Mike Wallach with Levy Family Partners discusses special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, and provides listeners with an in-d...
Going Global: Launching a Search Fund in International Markets
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Co-Founding Managing Directors of Relay Investments, Sandro Mina and Martin Steber, touch on a variety of topics including launching an international ...
Invaluable Advice from a Veteran Search Fund Investor
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Michael Miles, Co-Founder and Partner at the Operand Group, a fund that exclusively invests in search funds. A longtime search f...
Building Out Your Team
25 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Devin Matthews, Partner at ParkerGale Capital, discusses his firm's investment strategy and the significance of a portfolio company's management team....
Operator, Advisor, Investor: The Entrepreneurial Trifecta
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
CEO of an Oregon-based company that provides educational marketing services for registered investment advisors speaks about the three roles of an entr...
Perspectives from the Search Fund Investor
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Killackey, Partner at Prairie Capital, has over 23 years of experience in private equity and middle-market lending, including time with Banc One...
The Two-Man Search Fund: Knowing Your Strengths and Weaknesses
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick Dickinson, co-founder and Managing Partner of Ninth Street Capital Partners, discusses his early exposure to ETA through working with a mercha...
Transforming the Model: Evolution of the Search Fund since Irv Grousbeck
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Egan, a founder and Managing Partner of Boston-based investment firm Marion Equity Partners, recounts the last 30 years of the search fund model ...
Dynamics of the Relationship Between the Investor and Searcher
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Burr, General Partner at Matland Capital, lends his expertise to discuss the dynamics of the relationship between searcher and investor, and what...
Journey of the Self-Funded Searcher
26 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Austin Hall, Founder and Director of Brick Street Partners, reflects on the first six months of his search, looking back to his initial motivation to ...
Working with the Business Owner
24 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features Chuck Mishoulam, Founder of Alert Protective Services, and David Silberstein, Managing Principal of Anchor Light Partners, and C...
Speaking From Experience: Coley Andrews of Pacific Lake
06 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Coley Andrews, Co-Founder and Managing Member of Pacific Lake, a well regarded institutional investor in search funds, lends his perspective on a wide...
Words of Wisdom from an Expert Board Member
20 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Dennis Chookasian, Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago and incredibly accomplished ...
The CEO Odyssey. Evolving from Deal Professional to Company Leader.
14 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Brad Morehead, Adjunct Lecturer of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, recounts his own prof...
Perspectives of the Successful Independent Sponsor
14 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Schneider, adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and the founding partner of Clover ...
Raising A Search Fund
31 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Taylor, Managing Director of search fund Gypsum Ridge Capital, shares his reasons for pursuing a search fund, working with a partner, choosing yo...
Searching for the Business
31 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Search fund entrepreneur Shamus Hines of Silverfield Capital talks about his strategies for finding the right business, how he balances his time betwe...
Funding the Acquisition: The Nuts and Bolts of Debt Financing
31 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Groya, Managing Director of Aldine Capital Partners, discusses best practices when raising debt financing in conjunction with acquiring a compan...
The Legal Aspects of Search Funds
31 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Raam Jani, Partner at McDermott, Will & Emery, provides perspective on the legal aspects of the search fund through the full lifecycle, from raising t...
The Search Fund Entrepreneur Round Trip
31 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Estep of Bosworth Capital shares insights gained from his own experiences as a search fund entrepreneur - deciding on the career path, raising se...