As someone who has worked in investing for a decade and met hundreds of management teams (from Series B to large-cap PE and across most industries), I’m continuously shocked at how few CFOs have investing experience, and even fewer CFOs of investor-backed businesses build teams … Continue reading Why Do Investors Make Great CFOs / Internal Finance Professionals?
It Hertz to be this incompetent – thoughts on capital allocation, consumer empathy, and electric cars
Picture it – it’s a holiday travel weekend. You’ve braved the stress of getting to the airport on time, the TSA lines, and being in a tight space with 150 strangers for a few hours. Relieved you’re a big step closer to your final destination, … Continue reading It Hertz to be this incompetent – thoughts on capital allocation, consumer empathy, and electric cars
2024 goals update: Q1 check-in
We’re one quarter into the year. With that in mind, I am taking stock of my progress against the goals I set out at the beginning of the year: Professional: Assess long-term interest in healthcare: I continue to think I am more “situation-oriented” than specific … Continue reading 2024 goals update: Q1 check-in
Hype Cycles / Bad Consolidation Theses: Thrasio Goes Bust
Read to the end for the relevance of the image... A couple weeks ago, Thrasio declared bankruptcy. The largest Amazon aggregator, it raised over $3 billion of debt and equity at a valuation that was rumored to be approaching $10 billion. Blue chip investors led … Continue reading Hype Cycles / Bad Consolidation Theses: Thrasio Goes Bust
If you can’t join them, beat them.
Thoughts on motivation, talent, fund spinouts, and "the chip" “If you can’t join them, beat them” is a phrase I think about a lot. Motivation can come from a lot of places, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going through life with a … Continue reading If you can’t join them, beat them.
If you come for the King, you best not miss.
Another news day in restaurant / franchise land with an ETA angle – you know I’m there. Restaurant Brands International (“RBI”), franchisor of Burger King, Popeye’s, and Firehouse Subs, announced today that it was acquiring Carrol’s, its largest franchisee with over 1,000 BK lounges Burger … Continue reading If you come for the King, you best not miss.
2023 Goals Review and 2024 Goals
At the beginning of the year, I wrote three simple goals in my notebook. For the sake of accountability, here’s my end of year assessment on each of them: Figure out whether Colorado is a long-term or short-term move Verdict: Denver is “above the bar” … Continue reading 2023 Goals Review and 2024 Goals
Serendipity –> Dipping Fries into Frosty’s – The Flynn Story
While stuck in traffic on my way home on Friday, I listened to this excellent interview of Joel Peterson on Think Like an Owner, one of the best entrepreneurship-through-acquisition (ETA) podcasts out there. I had the privilege of having dinner last year with Alex Bridgeman, … Continue reading Serendipity –> Dipping Fries into Frosty’s – The Flynn Story
What do Sriracha and Accountants Have in Common?
Over the last few years, we’ve seen unexpected shortages of formula, Sriracha, and eggs, all of which have been highly observable on grocery store shelves. Less observable but still impactful to the American economy has been the shortage of accountants. As fewer students study the … Continue reading What do Sriracha and Accountants Have in Common?
Bubbles and Suds: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch’s Craft Beer Ambitions?
Like many people, I used business school as an opportunity to have conversations with alumni who took interesting career paths. One of the most memorable conversations I had was with the CEO of an independent craft beer brand, who noted that an increase of HBS … Continue reading Bubbles and Suds: The Rise and Fall of Anheuser-Busch’s Craft Beer Ambitions?
Danny McBee 