Discover the secret sauce behind private equity (PE) growth strategies! In this episode, Emily Sander, Rory Liebhart, and Ed Barton break down why PE firms target founder-led businesses and reveal the tactical playbooks to scale them. From "buy low, sell high" foundations to aligning visions, unlocking growth through talent/capital infusion, and leveraging technology, they cover it all. You’ll learn how PE turns underperforming businesses into high-performing powerhouses in 18–72 months. Perfect for founders, business owners, and growth hackers!

🔑 Key Topics Covered:
🔑 Why founder-led companies are PE’s favorite acquisitions (spoiler: it’s all about untapped upside).
🔑 The three pillars of PE-driven growth: Capital, talent, and technology deployed smartly to hit inflection points.
🔑 The “corporate” transformation: From disheveled startups to well-oiled machines with governance, CMOs, and CFOs.
🔑 How a Chief of Staff becomes the secret weapon for aligning teams and accelerating execution.

Learn how PE firms don’t just buy businesses—they engineer dynasties. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or exec, this episode gives you the framework to think like a scaling pro.

Subscribe for more deep-dive episodes on PE, tech, and entrepreneurship!

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🎙 Podcast – Strategies, PE 101 & witty banter

📚 Book – On‑Ramp to Exit, full deal life cycle

🛠 Resources – Free templates, guides, tools

🔗 LinkedIn – Follow us for fresh PE insights

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Who Are We?

Three insiders. One mic. All things private equity — explained. Hi 👋 We’re Ed, Rory, and Emily — a CEO, a CFO, and a Chief of Staff — here to demystify the world of private equity. Between us, we’ve sat in the founder’s chair, run PE‑backed companies, and worked on the deal side, so we know the wins, the pitfalls, and the jargon (and we’ll explain it).

Through the Private Equity Experience Podcast, our book On‑Ramp to Exit, and a library of free tools and templates, we share real‑world stories, practical strategies, and insider insights to help you navigate every stage of the PE journey — whether you’re leading a portfolio company, joining a deal team, considering PE, or just PE‑curious.

🔗Connect with Ed

🔗Connect with Emily

🔗Connect with Rory

Breaking news! Electronic Arts (EA) – the studio behind FIFA, Madden, and Battlefield – is being acquired in the largest-ever private equity buyout ($55B! Katie stuns at the size of the deal). In this episode, we break down:

✅ How Leverage Buyouts (LBOs) work (Rory’s $500k house analogy!) ☑️ The players: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund + Jared Kushner’s PE firm + Silver Lake
✅ EA’s $5B revenue surge, subscription model, and eSports addiction
✅ The real question: Do investors see a $55B gaming empire or a ticking time bomb?
📜 Regulatory delays (deal closes in 2027!) 🔍 Future predictions: 7-10 year hold + IPO exit
⚠️ Red flags: Can debt kill creativity?

• EA’s hook: Recurring revenue + eSports + global hits keep it debt-friendly 🚀
• Saudi’s strategy: Diversify from oil + dominate global sports**:SG 🏆**
• PE reality: "They’ll get creative fees" – but can they stomach $1.3B/year debt?
• Gamer sentiment: Questionable. “They’re brutal public!”

👉 Subscribe for more private equity deep dives!
👉 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Will gaming be the next trillion-dollar industry?

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🎙 Podcast – Strategies, PE 101 & witty banter

📚 Book – On‑Ramp to Exit, full deal life cycle

🛠 Resources – Free templates, guides, tools

🔗 LinkedIn – Follow us for fresh PE insights

================================

Who Are We?

Three insiders. One mic. All things private equity — explained. Hi 👋 We’re Ed, Rory, and Emily — a CEO, a CFO, and a Chief of Staff — here to demystify the world of private equity. Between us, we’ve sat in the founder’s chair, run PE‑backed companies, and worked on the deal side, so we know the wins, the pitfalls, and the jargon (and we’ll explain it).

Through the Private Equity Experience Podcast, our book On‑Ramp to Exit, and a library of free tools and templates, we share real‑world stories, practical strategies, and insider insights to help you navigate every stage of the PE journey — whether you’re leading a portfolio company, joining a deal team, considering PE, or just PE‑curious.

🔗Connect with Ed

🔗Connect with Emily

🔗Connect with Rory

In this 35‑minute episode, the hosts break down the five most common pitfalls that founders face when they bring a private‑equity (PE) firm aboard. From overlooked deal structures to the emotional reality of an eventual exit, the conversation is packed with hard‑won lessons, humorous anecdotes, and actionable advice for entrepreneurs who are looking to or already in a PE partnership.

“A founder’s job is to build a company. A PE partner’s job is to unlock value—so you need to know the difference.” – Ed Barton

Navigating private equity is less about groundbreaking innovation and more about precision, preparation, and clarity around expectations. The best strategies collaborate by anticipating disruption, understanding the deal, and being honest with themselves and their partners.

Don’t start with a belief you’ve navigated PE. Question it. Add these notes to your cheat sheet.

🔍 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Understanding Deal Structures

• Founders often underestimate the importance of knowing the deal structure.
• Failing to understand exit strategies can trap founders, leading to economic uncertainty post-sale.
• Financial modeling accuracy is critical; overly optimistic projections can hurt valuations and future compensation.

2️⃣ Shifting from Founder to Employee

• After a PE deal, founders must shift from CEO to employee and accept decision-making authority shifts.
• Leadership transitions can strain relationships if not communicated clearly.

3️⃣ The Trapped Money Trap

• Founders may end up with trapped equity due to unfavorable deal terms or rollover options.
• Negotiating clear payout structures upfront is non-negotiable to maximize returns.

4️⃣ Ignoring PE’s Professional Rigor

• PE firms demand granular financial governance (KPIs, scenario analysis, forecasts).
• Founders who resist these changes risk losing credibility and control.

5️⃣ Lack of Exit Strategy Awareness

• Understanding the exit timeline (ranging from 5-10 years) helps founders plan post-sale.
• Silicon Valley’s or similar PE firms do not mate for life—expect transitions.

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🎙 Podcast – Strategies, PE 101 & witty banter

📚 Book – On‑Ramp to Exit, full deal life cycle

🛠 Resources – Free templates, guides, tools

🔗 LinkedIn – Follow us for fresh PE insights

================================

Who Are We?

Three insiders. One mic. All things private equity — explained. Hi 👋 We’re Ed, Rory, and Emily — a CEO, a CFO, and a Chief of Staff — here to demystify the world of private equity. Between us, we’ve sat in the founder’s chair, run PE‑backed companies, and worked on the deal side, so we know the wins, the pitfalls, and the jargon (and we’ll explain it).

Through the Private Equity Experience Podcast, our book On‑Ramp to Exit, and a library of free tools and templates, we share real‑world stories, practical strategies, and insider insights to help you navigate every stage of the PE journey — whether you’re leading a portfolio company, joining a deal team, considering PE, or just PE‑curious.

🔗Connect with Ed

🔗Connect with Emily

🔗Connect with Rory