The Think Like an Owner newsletter is a compilation of my thoughts on investing in and operating small companies, published every other week. In the newsletter, I also share interesting and relevant resources I recently came across.
The one resource I saw over the past two weeks I can’t get out of my head is this video of Elon Musk describing his systems improvement process. It’s short, only two and a half minutes in length, but incredibly insightful. When I think of process improvement, my first thoughts are automation, simplification, and just going faster. That’s the basis of process improvement and we should always start there, right?
I haven’t written anything since May but Lauren Rothlisberger inspired me to start writing again. Let’s see how this goes! As for excuses on why I’ve fallen off, I have none. I tell myself my work on other exciting projects has taken time away from writing, but I know that’s a weak alibi. Far busier folks manage to write on a consistent basis. My wife and I also moved in
In a conversation with a friend recently, we talked about how professionals deep in their careers are able to take in a wide range of information and find the piece that matters most. They can simplify everything down to only the most important elements. Short 1-2 sentence emails, a quick yes or no, and brief phone calls. All in an effort to simplify complex problems and manage their busy schedule.
Earlier this week my wife and I took our corgi puppy, Cici, to the vet for her second round of vaccines and the vet did something that caught my attention. When we parked and someone came to check us in from our car, they handed us a pamphlet with a plan of care package offer for the first 16 weeks of her life. It included vaccinations, shots, nail trimming, flea
My wife and I have been adjusting to life with a new corgi puppy this week and thus my writing time has been much more limited. But I wanted to ask one question of you. What resources, articles, books, podcasts, newsletters do you go to for great information and content on running a small business? I’m looking not only to make the podcast better, but conducting general research on what
When folks ask what I want to be doing one day, I tell them I want to build a portfolio of small, private companies. But I’ve come to realize that statement doesn’t actually say anything.
Good CEOs drive narrative, they are storytellers. The value of being a good storyteller for a public company is obvious since a huge portion of a public company’s value comes from its perception by others. In small companies, is the same true? Are owner-CEOs storytellers and can good storytelling increase the intrinsic value of their business?
How concentrated is one private company and can most of the risk diversification aims to reduce be achieved within one company?
Brent Beshore, Polsky center, Andy Ellis, Chenmark Capital, Macro-Ops, Grant Thornton, Wendover Productions, Adam Keesling, Kelie Morgan
Harvard Search Conference, Tim Ludwig, Ben Rudman, Investor Updates, Paul Graham, and Heico
Ryan Caldbeck, SuperMugatu, Adam Keesling, Little Engine Ventures, Micro VC
Palmer Higgins, SureSwift Capital, The Messy Marketplace, Founders Fund, BuiltWith, Stratechery
Askeladden Capital, Alex Danco, Social Capital, Real Vision, Sidewalk Labs
Brent Beshore, HBR, Andrew Wilkinson, Byron Trott, Shake Shack
Each year I write an annual letter to readers and listeners to reflect on the evolution of the podcast and my personal growth.
While 2020 was turbulent to say the least, it was the best year of my life. I married my lovely wife in late August, adopted a corgi, and began working on the Think Like an Owner podcast full-time.
Before getting to the podcast, 2019 was a tremendous year personally. I flew to DC for a FinTwit gathering hosted by Jamie Catherwood, graduated college with a new job, and got engaged.
As a fun goal for myself, I’ve decided to start writing annual (and possibly quarterly) letters for the Think Like an Owner project to reflect on the growth of the podcast, discussion around the micro private equity market, and my personal learning.
I’m always looking to connect with folks interested in this space, don’t hesitate to reach out.
