Value-driven investor and turnaround specialist Reggie Prior Jr. (Founder, Prior LLC) breaks down his simple but relentless playbook: buy what others overlook and rebuild it into a durable cash flow machine. We go from his first mentor (textile legend Jimmy Gibbs) to reading Graham & Dodd, using collateral to get started, and why he rarely sells, preferring to borrow against assets instead. Sponsors: This episode is sponsored by CapitalPad, the marketplace that connects acquisition entrepreneurs with investors who want exposure to small-business deals. Operators list live deals in one place; investors get standardized terms, governance, and distributions. If you are raising for a deal, or you want to back great operators, visit https://capitalpad.com/ Our sponsor Spacebar Studios builds and runs your newsletter end to end, so you stay top of mind with founders, brokers, LPs, talent and your customers without adding to your workload. Strategy, writing, design, sending, and list growth are handled. HoldCo Builders listeners also get a two-week free trial. Start with a free intro call at https://www.spacebarstudios.co/inquire Timestamps 0:00 Reggie Prior Jr. and his “buy overlooked, rebuild cash flow” playbook 0:50 Wofford College and mentor Jimmy Gibbs 3:57 The lesson: just ask (how Reggie earned the mentorship) 5:16 Running his father’s company; learning by doing 9:43 Sponsor: CapitalPad (operator-investor marketplace) 11:05 Reframing the strategy: rebuild rather than break apart 12:42 Prior LLC’s four pillars (Diversified, Global, CRE, Capital) 13:30 Why he rarely sells 15:02 Portfolio overview; value lens across categories 16:48 Case study: Highway 9 real-estate deal 19:59 Adding 265k of value by acquiring a state-owned strip for $12,000 22:41 Sponsor: Spacebar Studios 27:05 Where private deal flow comes from 27:57 Moretex origins (founded 1908) and how he stumbled onto the opportunity 31:10 Hidden kicker: next door 70 million dollar stadium 32:12 Taking over Moretex 33:50 Lessons from doing the deal and showing up personally 34:13 First 90 days: key hires (maintenance, SOPs); no salesperson for 31 years 35:52 Vertical integration: buying the pulverizer supplier 38:00 Tariff tailwinds plus all USA inputs boost demand 38:21 Oldest chemical plant in the Southeast 41:37 Brand and formula value 42:56 Why no auction? Family context, timing, and trust 44:13 Mission: fix and own Moretex long term 45:44 Building a mentor bench: the names and why it matters 47:02 Three “secrets” 48:09 How networks actually compound (and how to start) 51:04 Reggie works seven days a week, 365 days a year 52:59 On happiness, overwhelm, and tradeoffs 55:49 Why saving American manufacturing is personal 58:33 How picky is he? On saying yes, triaging inbound, new bets 1:00:39 Why do the podcast? On signal, diligence, and reciprocity 1:02:08 Wrap up: key lessons and gratitude Support our Sponsors: CapitalPad: https://capitalpad.com/ SpaceBar Studios: https://www.spacebarstudios.co/inquire Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lr5bE3SNZF2uEE7Nb0DHh?si=cP_nAarhRmep1lvnR6uk5g Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holdco-builders/id1695713724 Follow Mikk/PrivatEquityGuy on Twitter: https://x.com/PrivatEquityGuy This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a basis for
