Minds Capital Podcast

Will Smith & Niklas James
  • 4.4 (19)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Your connection to the growing world of independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity.

  1. 11x MOIC by Scaling Revenue from $15m to $100m

    17H AGO

    11x MOIC by Scaling Revenue from $15m to $100m

    Justin Turner and Traction Capital Partners just exited a 7-year hold in the specialty fire equipment distributor space, where they grew revenue from $15m to nearly $100m. Traction Capital proved that a semi-long-term hold allows real value creation, leading to an 11x MOIC and 44% IRR outcome. References and how to contact today's guest:Justin Turner | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    1h 3m
  2. Behind the Scenes: Launching 2nd Equity Fund for Independent Sponsors

    FEB 11

    Behind the Scenes: Launching 2nd Equity Fund for Independent Sponsors

    In celebration of our 50th episode, the 3 GPs of Minds Capital share their journey: the media-first strategy's role in creating a deal flow flywheel, behind-the-scenes from the podcast, learnings from high-velocity investing, and thoughts on the future. A special note of gratitude to our investors; thank you for making this journey possible - we're having a blast! References and how to contact today's guest:Minds Capital | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    54 min
  3. A Family Office's View From 27 Platforms

    FEB 4

    A Family Office's View From 27 Platforms

    Kevin Wong is the Chief Investment Officer at Lang Partners, a family office based in Dallas. With 15 years on the investment side of the lower-middle market, Kevin has built a reputation as one of the most active and respected LPs in the independent sponsor ecosystem, backing 27 platforms since 2020. References and how to contact today's guest:Kevin Wong | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    56 min
  4. A 9-Deal Rollup Without Losing 1 Customer

    JAN 28

    A 9-Deal Rollup Without Losing 1 Customer

    Alan Baca and Dana Robinson explain how Verde Equity Partners is buy-and-building a scaled commercial landscaping platform using an operator-led playbook. Drawing from prior home services roll-ups, Verde warehoused their early deals and operates by moving fast on M&A and slow on integration. In 2.5 years, the team has completed 9 acquisitions while retaining 100% of customers and employees. References and how to contact today's guest:Alan Baca| LinkedInDana Robinson | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    1h 15m
  5. Family Offices + Independent Sponsors = Strong Match

    JAN 21

    Family Offices + Independent Sponsors = Strong Match

    NYC-based James Bohannon works at Belzberg & Co, a multi-family office with a keen eye to the independent sponsor asset class. Drawing on years of conference repetition and real world deal experience, James explains how family offices truly think about backing independent sponsors. References and how to contact today's guest:James Bohannon | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    1h 10m
  6. The 16-Year Path to a $175m Revenue Portfolio

    JAN 14

    The 16-Year Path to a $175m Revenue Portfolio

    Based in New York, Michael ("Mike") Healy began his career as an attorney before deciding the real fun and action were on the deal side. After a stint in PE, he founded Gardner Standard in 2010. The early years were rocky, marked by failed deals and long stretches of uncertainty. Momentum finally arrived when a sizable closing fee on a deal he sourced and sold to a PE fund provided the liquidity needed to persevere. Today, Mike is an accomplished independent sponsor with a clearly defined strategy built around sourcing deals with legal complexity. References and how to contact today's guest:Michael Healy | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    1h 9m
  7. Axial’s Lessons From 10,000 Lower-Middle Market Deals

    JAN 7

    Axial’s Lessons From 10,000 Lower-Middle Market Deals

    Peter Lehrman founded Axial in 2009, the leading deal origination platform for lower-middle-market M&A. Today, roughly 10,000 attempted transactions are launched on Axial each year, with approximately 25% closing, making it one of the most active M&A marketplaces in the U.S. lower middle market, and independent sponsors are the single most active buyer type by closed-deal volume. In this episode, Peter shares unmatched market intelligence and highly tactical insights on how independent sponsors source, win, and fund deals. References and how to contact today's guest:Peter Lehrman | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    1h 8m
  8. Working Under an Independent Sponsor Who Suddenly Passed Away

    12/31/2025

    Working Under an Independent Sponsor Who Suddenly Passed Away

    G.R. Kearney, a former inner-city Chicago teacher, was thrust into leadership when his senior partner tragically passed away. He navigated the emotional and legal complexities of sustaining the firm and ultimately rebranded it as Stacker Holdings, reshaping the platform into an employee-centric, EOS-driven, long-term investment firm. References and how to contact today's guest:G.R.Kearney | LinkedIn Minds Capital invests equity into deals by independent sponsors and searchers. For independent sponsors with a deal under LOI, visit Minds Capital to start a conversation. Our website also contains more information about this podcast and for prospective investors. Connect with Minds: See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with hosts Will Smith and Niklas JamesVisit Minds CapitalCredits: Edited by Anton Rohozov

    1h 4m
See All (51)

4.4
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Your connection to the growing world of independent sponsors and deal-by-deal private equity.

Information

  • Creator
    Will Smith & Niklas James
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Will Smith & Niklas James
  • Show Website
    Minds Capital Podcast

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