Creating Long-Term Value in Niche Markets Through Operational Excellence - Dave Rauch - CEO @ ProTec
Release Date: 03/27/2025
From Chaos to Clarity: Building Enduring Service Businesses - John Barrett - Executive Director at ISSA
Diners and Deals
In this episode of Diners and Deals, host Seth Deutsch sits down with his longtime friend John Barrett to trace the pivotal moments of John’s career—from earning a life-changing Evans Scholarship to learning the ropes at Xerox, turning around broken service businesses, and ultimately leading ISSA, a trade association serving over 11,000 members across 130 countries. John opens up about what really matters in business and life, sharing hard-won wisdom on resilience, humility, and the power of staying curious. They discuss: * Why cash equals time, and how that truth shaped his approach to...
info_outline
From Stuntman to Service Empire: Building with Grit and Purpose - Josh Zolin - CEO of Windy City Equipment
Diners and Deals
In this episode of Diners and Deals, I sit down with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment, to talk about what it takes to build a service business that scales—without losing your soul. Josh started his career as a Hollywood stuntman before joining his father’s one-man repair operation. Over time, he helped transform the company into a multi-state commercial kitchen equipment service provider, while staying deeply connected to the skilled trades. We dig into Josh’s journey of self-discovery, from identity struggles and career pivots to a defining personal tragedy that reshaped how he...
info_outline
The Investrepreneur Model: Marrying Vision with Execution - Scott Silverman - Founder and CEO of Agman
Diners and Deals
In this episode of Diners & Deals, host Seth Deutsch sits down with Scott Silverman, founder and managing partner of Agman, for an in-depth look at how a multi-generational investment firm is quietly building and backing enduring companies in sectors often overlooked by traditional private equity. Scott shares his unconventional path—from earning a PhD in molecular genetics at Oxford to working at BCG and biotech venture firms, and eventually launching Agman with family capital just before the Great Financial Crisis. What started as a fund of funds has grown into a diversified investment...
info_outline
Creating Long-Term Value in Niche Markets Through Operational Excellence - Dave Rauch - CEO @ ProTec
Diners and Deals
In this episode of Diners and Deals, host Seth Deutsch sits down with Dave Rauch, founder and CEO of ProTec, a company that has spent nearly three decades redefining how homeowner associations (HOAs) approach maintenance. With over 370 employees, eight offices, and more than 1,000 communities served across Southern California and Las Vegas, Dave has built a business that fills a major gap in a largely overlooked industry. They dig into the unique operational challenges of serving HOAs, the massive opportunity in preventive maintenance, and how Dave has layered on services like plumbing,...
info_outline
Operational Agility: Pioneering Private Equity through Human Capital - Matt Schachman - Co-Founder - Cold Bore Capital
Diners and Deals
In this episode of Diners and Deals, I sit down with Matt Schachman, Co-founder of Cold Bore Capital, for a deep dive into his journey from the military to private equity. We explore how his experiences shaped the founding of Cold Bore Capital and break down the complexities of buy-and-build strategies in the microcap space. Matt shares insights on the impact of veteran leadership, the importance of human capital, and the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. We also discuss what it takes to scale businesses effectively and navigate the private equity landscape. If you're interested in...
info_outline
Building a Billion Dollar Business in 3 Years - Steve Carroll - CEO of Kelso Industries
Diners and Deals
Steve is the CEO and Co-founder of Kelso Industries, which provides mechanical, HVAC, refrigeration, industrial, plumbing, and electrical services all throughout the United States. Seth and Steve discuss: Seth and Steve discuss: - Early ambitions and motivations behind Kelso Industries - The importance of partnerships in executing a buy and build - Challenges and strategies in finance management - Insights on making tough decisions and scaling through the platform build to create a sustainable m&a engine Links: Steve on LinkedIn: Seth on LinkedIn: Kelso...
info_outline
Serial Entrepreneurship and What it Means to Take Ownership of a Business - Matt Matros - Founder and GP at NCC
Diners and Deals
Matt Matros is one of America’s leading consumer-focused entrepreneurs, having founded and successfully exited two businesses since 2009. Matt is the founder of PROTEIN BAR & KITCHEN®, a wildly popular chain of healthy fast-casual restaurants he sold to to private equity firm L Catterton in 2013. Matt also founded LIMITLESS®, an innovative beverage company he sold to Keurig Dr Pepper in early 2020. On this episode, Seth and Matt discuss: What it takes to be in the #1 seat in a business Experiences with Private Equity The role of a CFO in building and scaling businesses Links: ...
info_outline
Frank Campise - Co-Founder and Principal of Jab Real Estate
Diners and Deals
Frank Campise is the Co-Founder and Principal of Jab Real Estate, which transforms underperforming properties in desirable urban neighborhoods into modern and efficient residences that attract young, upscale professionals. On this episode, Seth, and Frank discuss: Building Jab Real Estate How to structure a team Looking at the future of the real estate market Links: Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:05:44) - Frank’s background and career (00:13:45) - JAB Real Estate today (00:16:37) - How have you structured your team? (00:22:29) - What excites you about the...
info_outline
Navigating Growth and Private Equity: Reid Lappin and Henry Byrne on Scaling Vokal in the Digital Age
Diners and Deals
Redi Lappin is the Founder & CEO of Vokal, a growth agency purpose-built to maximize value for mid-market and private-equity brands. Reid is also joined by Hery Byrne, CFO of Vokal. On this episode, Seth, Reid, and Henry discuss: Founding Vokal and evolving the CFO role Achieving organizational alignment Organic & inorganic growth Approaches to acquisition Links: Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:04:35) - Reid on Founding Vokal (00:09:50) - Henry’s journey to becoming CFO of Vocal (00:14:08) - Evolving the CFO role (00:19:14) - Achieving alignment at every...
info_outline
Building a Restoration Empire: Chris Santiago on Scaling, Operations, and Culture in the Lower Mid-Market
Diners and Deals
Chris Santiago is the CEO of RUI Construction. RUI provides multi-state construction services such as emergency restoration, fire reconstruction, fire and smoke damage repair, flood damage, water mitigation, structure drying, renovations, and additions. A Great Range Capital portfolio company since January 2022, the mid-market company is currently expanding nationally through de novo growth strategies and synergistic acquisition opportunities. On this episode, Seth and Chris discuss: Implementing technology into RUI Building out the CFO office Making the transition to the middle-markets...
info_outlineIn this episode of Diners and Deals, host Seth Deutsch sits down with Dave Rauch, founder and CEO of ProTec, a company that has spent nearly three decades redefining how homeowner associations (HOAs) approach maintenance. With over 370 employees, eight offices, and more than 1,000 communities served across Southern California and Las Vegas, Dave has built a business that fills a major gap in a largely overlooked industry.
They dig into the unique operational challenges of serving HOAs, the massive opportunity in preventive maintenance, and how Dave has layered on services like plumbing, restoration, inspections, and construction to create a full-service solution. Dave also shares his long-term vision for taking ProTec national—and the systems, processes, and technology he’s investing in to scale efficiently.
This episode also covers:
- Why preventive maintenance is the “holy grail” for HOAs
- The importance of coaching, mentorship, and peer learning in entrepreneurship
- What it takes to build a great management team and step out of daily firefighting
- Dave’s passion for skiing, the power of de-stressing, and staying creative as a founder
- How insurance and deferred maintenance are creating major risk in HOA communities nationwide
Whether you’re scaling a service-based business, thinking about M&A, or curious about building something meaningful in a niche industry, this episode is packed with wisdom from a founder who’s in it for the long haul.
Links:
ProTec Building Services: https://www.protec.com/
Dave on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdavidrauch/
Seth on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethdeutsch/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:18) - Meet Dave
(00:04:00) - Understanding ProTec's Business Model
(00:05:54) - Challenges and Opportunities in HOA Maintenance
(00:07:27) - The Importance of Preventive Maintenance
(00:11:31) - Navigating HOA Insurance and Legal Issues
(00:19:42) - The Founder’s Journey: From City Planning to ProTech
(00:21:45) - Financing the Business and Early Challenges
(00:22:17) - The Importance of Coaching and Mentorship
(00:22:44) - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
(00:28:32) - Building a Strong Management Team
(00:32:46) - Balancing Work and Personal Passions
(00:37:07) - Future Vision and Industry Trends
(00:42:03) - Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts