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Artwork for Minds Capital Podcast

Minds Capital Podcast

Will Smith & Niklas James
Private Equity
Independent Sponsorship
Independent Sponsors
Investment Strategy
Entrepreneurship
Minds Capital
Capital Providers
Lower Middle Market
Deal Flow
M&A
Family Offices
Investment Strategies
Vacation Rental Property Management
Mcguirewoods Conference
Dallas
Independent Sponsor
Covid-19
Franchising
Saas
Investment Returns

Your connection to the growing world of independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes65Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipBusinessInvesting

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Minds Capital Podcast

Latest Episodes

Jim Bolduc operates the independent sponsor arm within his family's Family Office. As a former investment banker at Merrill Lynch, Jim walks us through the nuances of their approach, which includes a focus on the retail industry built on decades of e... more

Bruce Lipian just wanted to keep doing deals after his committed fund was fully deployed. At a New York conference, someone called him “fundless.” A few drinks later, the group landed on a better term: independent sponsor. The name stuck. So did the ... more

Jim Tapp started his career at Mobil Oil, with a mortgage that kept him in the rat race. Then he met a blue-collar business owner with a giant yacht in his Newport Beach backyard. Shortly after, Jim Tapp moved his family with 5 kids back to Atlanta a... more

Erik Miller watched his entrepreneurial father build a thriving business, only to be squeezed by private equity. After 30 years in finance, Erik is now running Perspective Equity Partners to partner & collaborate with founders.

References and how to... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Bruce Lipian
Co-founding partner, Stone Creek Capital
Stone Creek Capital
Episode: Steak & Sizzle with a Side of Fundless
Jim Tapp
Private equity veteran, TECO Partners
TECO Partners
Episode: 50% Carry on 50x MOIC
Erik Miller
Founder of Perspective Equity Partners, independent sponsor specializing in consumer/haircare
Perspective Equity Partners
Episode: Winning Big by Doing Minority Recaps
Leah Berend
Founder/President, Merrin Investment Partners
Merrin Investment Partners
Episode: Acquiring Infrastructure for PortCos
Nicolás Lulli
Founder/Partner at Polisistemas
Polisistemas
Episode: $10m EBITDA After COVID Killed The Business
Chandos Mahon
Founder/CEO, Castle Capital (guest on Minds Capital Podcast)
Castle Capital
Episode: One Man's Trash: 5x MOIC on a 14-Deal Waste Roll-Up
Eugene Polevoy
Founder/Managing Partner, Blue Sea Capital
Blue Sea Capital
Episode: $100m Acquisition as First Deal
Jason Faucett
Managing Director at Transition Capital Partners
Transition Capital Partners (TCP)
Episode: Almost 40% IRR across 55 Platforms
Edwin Burke
Co-founder of Pillsman Partners
Pillsman Partners
Episode: "We're Not Operators": Bridging Capital & Management

Hosts

Will Smith
Host of Minds Capital Podcast, focused on independent sponsorship and deal-by-deal PE.
Niklas James
Co-host of Minds Capital Podcast, frequent interviewer and deal-sourcing expert.
Max Lummis
Partner at Minds Capital; frequent host and contributor on deal flow and sponsor strategy.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Great Podcast

    This is a great addition to the SMB podcast market. The independent sponsor model has received far too little attention. Thanks for shedding light on the space!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BudFox87
    United Statesa year ago
  • Svend Hansen

    Couldn’t follow the tips. Went bankrupt. Do not recommend

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    tildeeridubai
    Norwaya year ago
  • Another great show from Will Smith

    Will is a great interviewer, I have been a listener for a long time and it is easy to overlook how thoughtful his questions are because he has such a natural style.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    corporate_struggling
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast!

    Keep up the good work, Will & Niklas! Thank you for this terrific new resource for people, considering buying an operating their own business.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plazure
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Sponsorships and guest appearances are framed around concrete outcomes and long-term value
Content is a valuable resource for people considering or involved in independent sponsorship
The host style is natural and engaging, aiding clear exploration of complex topics
Guests are generally seen as thoughtful and experienced
Some listeners highlight practical deal-structuring takeaways and real-world case studies

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

50% Carry on 50x MOIC
Q: Jim, why did you choose the independent sponsor path instead of a traditional fund structure?
Because overseeing a fund imposes substantial regulatory and administrative burdens, limits direct engagement with entrepreneurial sellers, and risks losing touch with the hands-on, operator-centric approach I preferred; the independent sponsor model allows closer, more flexible collaboration with management while maintaining control over deal terms and governance.
$10m EBITDA After COVID Killed The Business
Q: Nick, the difference between language and culture or the not difference. So, would someone from a Latin American country do a search in another country, like Peru?
Generally not; searches are local and insular, with people sticking to their own country due to relationships and networks, though some move to larger markets like Mexico or the US where connections exist.
$10m EBITDA After COVID Killed The Business
Q: Nick, let's pivot away from the incredible story here. What is the name of the business?
The Peru and Bolivia operations run under Polisistemas, and in Ecuador the brand is File Storage; they've kept Polisistemas in Peru and expanded into Bolivia and Ecuador with similar branding.
Acquiring Infrastructure for PortCos
Q: Reflecting on the Human Capital Partners acquisition, what did you learn about key man risk and how you structure to preserve value when leadership can be transitional?
The discussion covers replacing the original CEO with a careful transition plan, using earnouts and seller financing, and embedding leadership to stabilize operations while maintaining a long-term hold strategy.
Acquiring Infrastructure for PortCos
Q: The structure of that first deal was unique. Can you explain how the co-general partner arrangement worked and why you chose that path?
Leah explains that co-general partnering brought together her deal execution strengths with her partner's deep industry knowledge and relationships, creating a natural alignment and enabling a tailored, non-traditional setup rather than a standard GP-led process.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Minds Capital Podcast

What is Minds Capital Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp focus on independent sponsorship and lower-middle-market private equity, with frequent deep dives into deal sourcing, financing dynamics, governance, and value creation through culture and operating improvements. Episodes spotlight the independent sponsor model's evolution, practical deal mechanics, and founder-friendly approaches, often featuring operators, sponsors, and PE veterans who share hands-on lessons from real transactions. Notably, the show frequently explores bridge-building between capital providers and management, the role of culture and human capital in portfolio companies, and creative financing structures, making it a practical resource for deal teams, aspiring sponsors, and brands seeking exposure to the indie spon... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Minds Capital Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Minds Capital Podcast:

1. Acquiring Minds
2. Acquisitions Anonymous - #1 for business buying, selling and operating
3. Built to Sell Radio
4. Moneywise
5. Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

How many episodes of Minds Capital Podcast are there?

Minds Capital Podcast launched a year ago and published 65 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Minds Capital Podcast?

Recent guests on Minds Capital Podcast include:

1. Bruce Lipian
2. Jim Tapp
3. Erik Miller
4. Leah Berend
5. Nicolás Lulli
6. Chandos Mahon
7. Eugene Polevoy
8. Jason Faucett

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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