BluWave's Karma School of Business Podcast

🚀 Superpowers, Go-To-Market, and Speed-to-Lead In episode 9️⃣9️⃣, Sean Mooney sits down with Jonathan Metrick, Partner and Chief Growth Officer at Sagard, to uncover strategies that drive growth while staying focused on efficiency. Whether it’s leveraging connected data systems, reducing response times with “speed to lead,” or doubling down on what uniquely sets your business apart, every move matters. Get a head start in the clip below as Jonathan breaks down speed-to-lead and how it can dramatically boost conversion rates ⤵️

🆕 📣 This week, Sean Mooney welcomes Jonathan Metrick, Partner and Chief Growth Officer at Sagard, to the podcast! Jonathan shares profound insights on growth strategies, operational excellence, and lessons learned as a former operator turned private equity growth leader. Key Episode Topics: ▶️ Why owning your company’s “superpower” and becoming obsessive about it drives long-term success. ▶️ How Sagard supports portfolio companies through go-to-market strategies, AI innovation, and commercial partnerships. ▶️ The importance of connected data systems and how they help businesses achieve profit-centric growth. ▶️ Why "speed to lead" is essential and how small changes in response time can boost conversion rates dramatically. ▶️ Jonathan’s advice on leveraging benchmarking and learning from others to scale faster and more efficiently. Tune in for actionable advice on accelerating revenue, leveraging data, and adapting to new market dynamics in today’s fast-paced environment.

M&A Insights from an Investment Banking Perspective In our most recent episode, Sean Mooney talks with Steve Hunter, Managing Director at TM Capital, about his experience in M&A and what it takes to build lasting value in a business. Steve shares practical advice on improving operations, creating steady revenue, and preparing for a successful sale. Plus, they touch on how to attract the right buyers, work with the best advisors, and stay organized throughout the M&A process. Steve shares his optimism about what 2025 holds for M&A activity and leaves listeners with a piece of advice: ask for what you want and take charge of creating the changes you want to see. Listen to their conversation on any podcast platform!

How are you investing in human capital in 2025? In the clip below, Jon Pressnell, Partner at Blue Point Capital Partners, shares his perspective on prioritizing human capital as a cornerstone for business success. As he explains, the focus isn't just on building the right C-suite but also on creating a company culture where employees at all levels feel engaged, aligned with the mission, and excited to contribute. Listen to the full episode to get more insights into his firm's initiatives, building value in portfolio companies, and Jon's journey to PE.

Episode Rewind ⏪ We're taking it all the way back to our second episode! If you're newer to the podcast or even one of our long-time listeners, you may not know we have an episode where Sean Mooney tells the origin story of BluWave, LP. If you haven't heard it yet, head to your favorite podcast app to listen to the 12-minute story.

🆕 🆕 🆕 This week, Steve Hunter, Managing Director at TM Capital, joins the podcast to discuss the nuanced world of M&A, the key ingredients for creating value in a business, and what both buyers and sellers need to know for a successful deal. Join Sean Mooney & Steve for a conversation highlighting: 👉 How to de-risk operations, grow strategically, and attract top buyers by focusing on recurring revenue, growth opportunities, and strong teams. 👉 Why every seller should do from day one to maximize outcomes. 👉 The importance of transparency, top-tier advisors, sell-side QofE, and handling the overwhelming volume of data requests during an M&A process. 👉 Advice for buyers - Avoiding abrasiveness, thoroughly preparing for management meetings, and balancing operational oversight post-acquisition. 👉 TM Capital’s tailored approach - A boutique-level customization and deep investment in deal preparation, including advanced data analytics. 👉 Steve looks ahead to 2025 and shares why he’s optimistic about a strong year for M&A activity. Find the episode on any podcast platform, or click the link in the comments to learn more!

AI is transforming the way we work, live, and lead—and the future is evolving faster than ever before. So, if you could go back in time and tell your 22-year-old self one thing, what would it be? In the latest episode of The Karma School of Business, Casey Myers, Partner at Edison Partners, shares the advice he wishes he had known earlier in his career. 👉 Get a sneak peak of his advice in the clip below. At a time when AI is quickly redefining "specialized knowledge," Casey’s advice is a reminder that adaptability and curiosity are timeless skills. Listen to all his insights on any podcast platform, or click the link in the comments below!

New Year's Resolution to read more? We know just the books to get you started! Check out our business builders' bookshelf episode to get a synopsis of 17 different books and why they are so highly recommended by our podcast guests in 2024! The episode is published on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on our website, linked below. Special thanks to our guests for sharing their favorites!

Episode Rewind ⏪ In episode 61, Sean Mooney welcomes Gretchen Perkins, Partner at Avance Investment Management, to the podcast and if you haven't yet listened, download it today! You can expect to hear more about: ✔️ Gretchen's journey from commercial lending to private equity. ✔️ Mentorship's role in developing business development skills. ✔️ Avance's thematic approach to identifying investment opportunities. ✔️ How Avance uses specialized functions for value creation. ✔️ Gretchen's insights on market trends and investment strategies. Listen on any podcast platform or click the link in the comments below.

In our latest episode of The Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney sits down with Casey Myers, Partner at Edison Partners, to explore what it takes to lead and grow businesses in the lower middle market. Episode Insights: 💡 Value Creation Starts with People: From leadership character to solving customer pain points, building a strong foundation is the key to growth. 💡 Sustainable Growth Requires Alignment: Systematically investing in people and aligning priorities drives long-term success. 💡 Advice to His Younger Self: Embrace diverse experiences and develop versatile skills to prepare for leadership. This conversation is packed with practical insights for both leaders and operators aiming to drive real growth in 2025 and beyond.