5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market
5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market is a short daily podcast on the best ideas, lessons, and signals in the world of small business acquisitions, holdcos, private equity, and operating companies. In five minutes or less, it helps buyers, operators, and investors get sharper on what actually matters in the lower middle market.
Episodes
7 episodes
The $727B Market Behind Small Business Acquisitions
In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market, we look at SBA lending through the SBA Loan Intelligence Database from MA Labs.The big takeaway: SBA lending is not a niche corner of small business finance. With 2.1 million loan...
The Swiss Cheese Model for Picking Great CEOs
In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market, we explore a simple idea: great operators are often the people who have already passed through many hard filters.The lesson: when hiring a GM, backing a CEO, or evaluating managem...
Solo Search vs. Partnered Search: What the Data Says
In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market, we look at the data behind solo searchers versus partnered search funds and why partnerships have historically outperformed on average.0:00 Patience as an investor, impatience as ...
The Quiet $20B Empire Built on HVAC, Filtration, and Safety | Larry Gies of Madison Industries
In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market, we look at Larry Gies and Madison Industries, one of the best examples of how boring, unglamorous businesses can create enormous value.The lesson: you do not need a glamorous busi...
Great Businesses Aren’t Always Forever Holds
In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market, we explore why good lower middle market deals should not go to zero and why great businesses are not always automatic forever holds.The lesson: great investing is not just about c...
The Hidden Advantage Small Buyers Have Over PE Firms
In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lower Middle Market:- Why the best investment theses can be explained in just a few sentences- Why family offices are shifting away from traditional private equity funds toward direct investing
Everyone’s Heavy on AI But Boring Businesses Still Pay the Bills
In a world obsessed with what’s new, some of the biggest opportunities in the lower middle market still come from very old principles: durable demand, real relationships, consistency, and curiosity.In this episode of 5 Minutes in the Lo...
