Don McDonough on Leading A Private Equity Business Development Function
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Release Date: 05/21/2025
Private Equity Value Creation Through Focus, Talent, and Go-to-Market Discipline
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Rob Turano, Operating Partner at Bloom Equity Partners, breaks down the playbook he uses to transform lower middle-market software companies—from sharpening product focus to elevating talent and building repeatable go-to-market engines. He shares how Bloom integrates operating partners early in diligence, accelerates transformation in the first 12–18 months, and instills a performance culture rooted in data, speed, and ownership. Rob also gets personal, from his love of cooking to the practices he uses to think more clearly as a leader. It’s a sharp, candid look at what real value...
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Private Equity Value Creation Through Focus, Culture, and Tenacity
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Eliot Kerlin, Founder and Managing Partner of Broadwing Capital, shares the unconventional path that took him from pre-med to private equity and the principles that now guide his firm’s approach to building durable, high-performing companies. He unpacks Broadwing’s value-creation playbook, the importance of forecasting NTM cash flow, and why culture, people analytics, and in-person leadership sit at the center of long-term success. Eliot also reflects on the tenacity required to launch a firm—and the clarity needed to focus on what truly matters. It’s a grounded, thoughtful...
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Private Equity Sourcing, Culture, and Data Discipline at Monomoy
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Renn Iaboni, Managing Director at Monomoy Capital Partners, joins Sean to discuss how disciplined sourcing, cultural alignment, and a 15-year proprietary data engine shape Monomoy’s approach to private equity. He shares how engineering training, relationship-driven BD, and resilience forged through career adversity inform the way he builds high-trust deal pipelines. Renn also details how Monomoy’s Beacon platform connects BD, investment, and credit teams to operate as one cohesive firm. It’s a candid look at what modern private equity excellence really requires — and why Monomoy’s...
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Drew Meyers on Value Creation at Seaport
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
In this episode of Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney interviews Drew Meyers, Partner at Seaport Capital. Drew shares how his unconventional path—from off-track betting to M&A integration—shaped his approach to lower middle-market private equity. He breaks down Seaport's focused strategy on founder-led businesses, where they invest early in professionalization across strategy, sales, and finance. The conversation covers everything from the importance of relationships and never burning bridges to how BluWave helps Seaport access cost-effective resources tailored to smaller portfolio...
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Private Equity in Q3 2025: Moving from Defense to Offense
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
In this special edition of the Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave, breaks down key findings from BluWave’s Q3 2025 Private Equity Insights Report. Drawing parallels between his son’s fencing lessons and today’s economic climate, Sean explains how the best investors are shifting from a defensive stance to an offensive one. Seeing through the noise, leaning forward, and playing to win. He shares fresh data showing that deal activity, due diligence spending, and AI investment are all surging—signs of an industry on the offense. From the manufacturing...
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Laurens Goff on Focus, Visibility, and Driving Value in B2B Services
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
In this episode of Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney interviews Laurens Goff, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Stone Goff Partners. Laurens shares insights from his path to private equity, the founding story of his firm, and how leveraging focus and visibility transforms lower-middle-market companies. Key points include: 1:05 - Laurens’ journey: From early life in Providence to successfully navigating investment banking and private equity. 9:52 - Stone Goff’s evolution: Lessons learned as an independent sponsor and the foundation of a committed capital fund. 19:41...
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Scaling Consumer Brands: Jared Stein’s Approach to Growth and Loyalty
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Jared Stein, Co-founder and Partner at Monogram Capital Partners, shares his expert approach to scaling consumer businesses, fostering customer loyalty, and driving sustainable growth. From partnering with family-owned companies to identifying sectors with lasting demand, Jared provides actionable insights for excelling in fragmented markets and navigating today’s rapid disruption cycles. A must-listen for private equity professionals and business builders looking to sharpen their playbook. Episode Highlights: 00:33 - Jared’s family business origins and lessons learned from hard jobs...
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Private Equity’s AI Shift: Bob Morse on SaaS, Pricing, and Alignment
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Sean Mooney speaks with Bob Morse, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Strattam Capital, about the changing playbook in private equity, especially in tech. Morse traces his path from Morgan Stanley and Oak Hill to founding Strattam, then lays out a no-surprises model: turn cards face-up pre-signing, align on a founder-written five-point plan, and opt-in support with real accountability. He explains why AI threatens seat-based SaaS economics, where outcome pricing wins, and how PE firms should push portfolios to experiment while keeping the founder’s innovative spark alive. Clear-eyed and...
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Focus, Metrics, and AI: Dan Gaspar’s Private Equity Strategies
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Dan Gaspar, Partner at TZP Group, shares how private equity investors drive growth through focus, actionable insights, and strong partnerships. Hear Dan’s approach to evaluating businesses, aligning on key priorities, and leveraging innovations like AI. With decades of experience, Dan breaks down what it takes to create value in today’s dynamic market. A must-listen for private equity professionals and business builders alike. Episode Highlights: 1:12 - Dan Gaspar's pathway to private equity: A straightforward yet insightful start 12:14 - What "specialness" means when evaluating...
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Private Equity’s Resilience and Q2 2025 Economic Trends
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
The second quarter of 2025 showcased one of the most compelling periods for private equity, revealing how firms responded to disruption through strategic action and decisive adaptation. Join BluWave Founder and CEO Sean Mooney as he unpacks the insights from BluWave's Q2 Private Equity Insights Report, including data showing rolling recovery trends, reshoring efforts in manufacturing, and technology investments. This episode dives into the unique frameworks private equity applies to thrive amid uncertainty, setting the stage for long-term growth. Confidently engage with insights...
info_outlineEpisode Highlights:
- 1:24 - Path to Private Equity: Don’s journey from investment banking to private equity and his early career experiences.
- 4:56 - Leadership Lessons: How sports and teamwork shaped Don’s approach to leadership and problem-solving.
- 10:09 - Building a New Role: Challenges and strategies in developing GTCR’s business development function.
- 27:04 - Value Creation Themes: GTCR’s focus on technology, AI, and proactive risk management strategies to drive portfolio growth.
- 33:02 - Advice to Younger Self: Don’s insights on identifying strengths, following passions, and seeking mentorship.
For more information on GTCR, go to https://www.gtcr.com/
For more information on Don McDonough, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-mcdonough-a6a3611
For more information on BluWave and this podcast, go to https://www.bluwave.net/podcasts/