Microcap Moments

Shore Capital Partners
  • 4.8 (16)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Monthly

A podcast that captures the key issues, successes, challenges, and lessons learned in the microcap space through in-depth interviews with high-level leaders across Shore Capital and our portfolio companies.

  1. 8h ago

    The Ride After the Sale: Marc Insul and Pat Bowe on Choosing a Partner

    In this episode, Marc Insul, president and chief operating officer of Commercial Asset Preservation (CAP), and Pat Bowe, head of corporate development and strategy at Maintera, share how a founder who had already sold one company chose a partner the second time around. Marc explains how driving past vacant buildings in Cleveland during the 2008 downturn led him to found CAP, and why he and his business partner came to see that their own capital could only take the business so far. Together with TCG Services, CAP now forms Maintera, a facility services platform serving operating and vacant commercial properties across the United States and Canada. Marc and Pat talk candidly about what founders worry about when they consider private equity, why no two firms operate alike, and what trust and transparency look like after the close. Marc also reflects on the value of fresh eyes on a business he ran for years and why, for him, the best part of selling is the ride that comes after. Strategic ThemesDecide what you want after the close before you weigh offers, because the role you want, whether that's stepping back or staying on to keep growing, changes which partner is right for youTreat fresh eyes as the return on giving up control, since outsiders can spot what years inside the business have made hard to seeJudge a partner by its conduct and its references, and talk to founders who have already made the move, because no two firms operate alikeGet comfortable with someone else in your business first, because readiness is a mindset before it is a milestone Chapters00:00 – Introduction02:34 – What a Founder Sees in an Empty Building06:59 – Giving Up Control, Gaining Fresh Eyes12:35 – The Ride After the Sale14:40 – One Plus One Equals Three18:16 – Are You Ready to Partner?21:35 – Eight Suitors and What Comes Next Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

  2. Sep 28

    A Good Business Isn't Enough: Jamie Cusack on Choosing the Right Partners

    In this episode, I talk with Jamie Cusack, CEO of Keystone Access Partners, Shore Capital's entrance and access control platform built on Dillard Companies and The Ritchie Group, with operations across Memphis, Tupelo, the Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana. Jamie came to the CEO seat in an unusual way: he watched the Shore model work from the inside as a board member of another Shore company before betting his own career on it. He walks through what a growth-based partnership actually looks like for a founder, including the conscious leadership training his teams had never had access to before, and the open conversation every owner needs to have about what role they want next. Jamie also explains why so many owners are more ready to sell than they think, even if the business still runs on pen and paper. And he is direct about what Keystone looks for in a partner: a good business isn't enough, because the people have to be good too. Key Takeaways: Decide what you actually want before the offer conversation, because the right partnership builds a role around your answer, whether that is running the day-to-day, leading M&A, or stepping backRecognize that pen and paper is not a readiness problem, because the systems, data, and technology gaps that make owners hesitate are exactly what a platform partner is built to closeChoose partners for capability and character, not just geography, because a business that treats its customers poorly is a non-starter no matter how good the numbers lookLearn from the operators you bring on instead of standardizing them, because a process that works in the field is a best practice to spread, not a variance to fix Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

  3. Sep 2

    Telling Stories Through Bread: 33 Years of Companion Baking

    In this episode, Josh Allen, founder of Companion Baking in St. Louis, Missouri, shares how he turned a love of baking discovered in the Bay Area into a frozen artisan bread manufacturer shipping custom products across all 48 contiguous states. Guided by his grandfather's advice to listen to his customers, Josh built the business one customer and one product at a time, pivoted from wholesale to frozen manufacturing, and made helping customers tell their stories through bread the heart of what Companion does. He also reflects on why he always took the private equity calls out of curiosity, what made Shore different, and why partnering now rather than later lets him stay part of the journey as Companion builds its platform. Key Takeaways: Listen to your customers and they'll tell you how to grow. One customer, one product, one SKU at a time built a 33-year business.Say yes first and figure it out later. The willingness to solve a customer's problem tomorrow, like renting a van to deliver bread two hours away, opened the pivot to frozen that transformed the company.Sell the story, not the SKU. When customers help design their own bread, price fades and the relationship becomes sticky.Partner while you still have runway. Choosing partnership now instead of an exit later keeps a founder part of the next chapter, with a board, new leaders, and resources a small business could never afford alone. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction02:25 – From the Bay Area Back to St. Louis08:45 – One Customer, One Product at a Time12:18 – Telling Stories Through Bread17:16 – Why Partner, and Why Shore24:43 – Building the Platform Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

    Telling Stories Through Bread: 33 Years of Companion Baking

  4. Aug 20

    The Network Effect: Building H2O Care Partners

    In this episode, Keith Caldwell, CEO of H2O Care Partners, and Sarah Longstreet, the company's Chief Marketing Officer, share the story of building a national water treatment platform. It began in 2021 when Keith met Mark St. Hilaire, founder of H2O Care in Massachusetts, and saw an opportunity to combine doing good with the growth potential of a fragmented, family-run industry. Today the platform spans more than thirty brands across nearly twenty states, supported by a Boston-based resource team of over forty across marketing, finance, hiring, technology, and operations. Keith and Sarah reflect on the network effect that emerges when great local businesses come together, how each new partner brings superpowers that get shared across the platform, and why preserving local brands, community ties, and long-tenured teams is central to how they scale. They also discuss what makes the right partner, from founders approaching retirement to those just getting started, and what's next as the platform continues to grow. Key Takeaways: Great partnerships start with people. Keeping the local name, the team, and the reputation intact is what makes strong family businesses open to joining a platform.The network effect is real. Every new partner brings a superpower that can be captured in playbooks and shared so the whole platform gets better.Scaling doesn't have to cost you culture. Centralize what lifts everyone, like marketing, finance, and technology, and keep brands, community ties, and daily decisions local.The right partner comes down to mindset: teams and customers first, a strong reputation in the industry, and a genuine desire to grow. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction02:57 – The Origin of H2O Care Partners07:54 – The Network Effect11:04 – Scaling Culture, Not Just Operations14:16 – Finding the Right Partners18:01 – Driving Organic Growth25:44 – What's Next Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

    The Network Effect: Building H2O Care Partners

  5. Jun 17

    Building Trust at Scale: Joe Rice and the CXponent Story

    In this episode, Joe Rice, CEO of CXponent, shares how watching his father run a business sparked a lifelong pull toward entrepreneurship and building something of his own. He describes how CXponent cuts through the overwhelming noise of technology vendors and AI tools to help mid-market companies make better decisions, and why trust, not technology, remains the foundation of every client relationship. Joe reflects on his first company, what he learned from that exit, and what drew him back to build again. He talks candidly about what founders should weigh before joining a platform, the importance of readiness and timing, and why Shore's focus on stacking talent and investing in organic growth made it the right fit. Throughout the conversation, Joe makes clear that even in a market being reshaped by AI, the work still comes down to people, presence, and being a partner clients can count on. Key Takeaways: The technology landscape has never been more crowded. The advisors who win are the ones who cut through the noise and bring clients certainty, not just options.You cannot fake trust. Building the kind of client relationships that lead to board-level work takes time, expertise, and a willingness to get into the details.Joining a platform is not an exit. It is a choice to go further, faster, with peers who are still building.Once you get a taste of creating opportunity and space for other people, you are probably forever addicted. The best founders are not looking for a way out. They are looking for a way to keep going. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction10:05 – Joe's Origin Story11:28 – Building CXponent with Shore14:29 – Founder Readiness and Timing19:40 – What's Ahead for CXponent Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

    Building Trust at Scale: Joe Rice and the CXponent Story

  6. May 14

    From Bulldog to Skycrest Roof: Ryan Burke on Founding, Growing, and Partnering

    In this episode, Ryan Burke reflects on his journey from selling roofs in Colorado Springs to founding Bulldog Roofing at 23 and partnering with Shore Capital to help build Skycrest Roof. He shares how frustration with bad actors in the industry and a belief that customers and employees deserved better pushed him to take the leap and start the business out of his living room. Ryan discusses the rapid growth that followed, the chaos that came with it, and the hard lessons of moving from hustle to structure as the business scaled to sixty people and $30M in revenue. He talks candidly about his initial fears around private equity, why protecting his team of family and friends was his top priority, and how meeting the people at Shore shifted his perspective on partnership. Ryan highlights the importance of readiness, the value of building real processes and resilience into a business, and what Skycrest is looking for in the next generation of founders as it continues to grow. Key Takeaways: Frustration with bad actors and a belief that customers and employees deserve better can become the foundation for building a business with real integrity and lasting culture.Moving from hustle to structure is the hard but necessary work of scaling, where documented processes, defined roles, and clear procedures turn chaos into resilience.Readiness to partner is not just about age or financial outcomes, but about understanding what you want, knowing your team, and finding a buyer who treats your people and your legacy with care.The right partnership brings creativity to the deal, expertise to the table, and a shared commitment to growing the business without losing the culture and people that built it. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction02:51 – Founding Bulldog Roofing05:49 – From Hustle to Structure08:39 – Readiness and Finding Shore17:40 – Evolving as a Leader21:14 – Building Skycrest Roof Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

    From Bulldog to Skycrest Roof: Ryan Burke on Founding, Growing, and Partnering

  7. Mar 4

    Doubling Down on Growth: The Freestone Insurance Story

    In this episode, Ben Hayes, Nick Baxter, and Austin Bockwinkel share how Freestone Insurance Group is building a nationally recognized insurance platform rooted in relationships and entrepreneurial drive. Ben reflects on his journey from professional golf to founding a full-service brokerage, and how an unplanned conversation with Shore Capital opened his eyes to what Freestone could become. The team discusses why they chose partnership over exit, how investing in talent and technology transformed their business, and what they look for in agency owners ready to join the platform. They talk about preserving the brands and cultures entrepreneurs have built, why the most exciting time to join is at the beginning, and how insurance remains a people-first industry where Freestone's future will be defined by the partners who choose to be part of the story. Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurial drive and trusted relationships form the foundation of durable growth in a people-first insurance industry.Investing early in specialized expertise and operational infrastructure frees leaders to move from working in the business to building the business.Choosing partnership over exit unlocks talent, technology, and strategic resources that accelerate scale without sacrificing culture or control.The most compelling platforms preserve brand, legacy, and entrepreneurial identity while aligning incentives to create long-term shared value. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction03:49 - A People-First Business06:10 - Investing in Talent and Infrastructure09:46 - Partnership Over Exit18:28 - Preserving Legacy and Driving Growth Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

    Doubling Down on Growth: The Freestone Insurance Story

  8. 12/17/2025

    Building the Future of Clinical Research with PhaseWell | Carsten Bick

    In this episode, Carsten Bick shares his path from building healthcare services businesses to leading PhaseWell Research. He reflects on what drew him to clinical research, the opportunity to expand patient and physician access in a fragmented industry, and why people remain central to creating a successful platform. Carsten discusses scaling clinical trials through thoughtful partnerships, why culture and trust matter as much as process and technology, and how Shore Capital’s people-first approach aligned with his vision for long-term growth. He underscores the responsibility of building alongside experienced founders, staying close to patients, and letting purpose guide PhaseWell’s strategy and leadership. Key Takeaways: People-first leadership comes first, shaping how teams are built, decisions are made, and care is delivered throughout the organization.Expanding access to clinical research requires engaging more physicians and patients in a highly fragmented industry.Trust, culture, and experienced partnerships enable growth while preserving quality, integrity, and alignment with mission.Long-term success is driven by staying close to purpose, investing in people, and building platforms alongside partners who share a long-term vision. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction05:57 - Expanding Access in a Fragmented Industry17:17 - People-First Leadership20:27 - Building Trust Through the Right Partnerships24:57 - Purpose, Scale, and Long-Term Growth Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

    Building the Future of Clinical Research with PhaseWell | Carsten Bick
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

A podcast that captures the key issues, successes, challenges, and lessons learned in the microcap space through in-depth interviews with high-level leaders across Shore Capital and our portfolio companies.

Information

  • Creator
    Shore Capital Partners
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Shore Capital Partners
  • Show Website
    Microcap Moments

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