181 episodes

Learn how companies work from the people who know them best. We do deep research and interview industry veterans, investment professionals, and corporate executives to explain the inner workings of public stocks and private businesses. For each company, we break down their history, business model, financial statements, secret sauce, and bull/bear case. We believe every business has lessons to teach us and Breakdowns is here to highlight them. Learn more and stay up to date at www.joincolossus.com.

Business Breakdowns Colossus

    • Business
    • 4.7 • 301 Ratings

Learn how companies work from the people who know them best. We do deep research and interview industry veterans, investment professionals, and corporate executives to explain the inner workings of public stocks and private businesses. For each company, we break down their history, business model, financial statements, secret sauce, and bull/bear case. We believe every business has lessons to teach us and Breakdowns is here to highlight them. Learn more and stay up to date at www.joincolossus.com.

    Axon: Stunning The Competition

    Axon: Stunning The Competition

    Today, we are breaking down Axon Enterprise. You may know Axon as the pioneer of the taser. The business has truly evolved over the years and now has expanded into body cams and other supporting tools for law enforcement and the defense industries.
    Our guest is Danielle Menichella, portfolio manager at Sands Capital Management. Danielle details not just how Axon expanded its product offering but also how it's shifted its business model from pure hardware to a mix of hardware and software. It's very interesting what unique customer dynamics are driving the growth in certain industries, and we get into a lot of that and more on this episode. So please enjoy this Breakdown on Axon.

    Check out Danielle’s Sands Capital “What Matters Most” podcast episode on Axon.

    Register for the Business Breakdowns x Founders Conference.
    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
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    This episode is brought to you by Tegus, where we're changing the game in investment research. Step away from outdated, inefficient methods and into the future with our platform, proudly hosting over 100,000 transcripts – with over 25,000 transcripts added just this year alone. Our platform grows eight times faster and adds twice as much monthly content as our competitors, putting us at the forefront of the industry. Plus, with 75% of private market transcripts available exclusively on Tegus, we offer insights you simply can't find elsewhere. See the difference a vast, quality-driven transcript library makes. Unlock your free trial at tegus.com/patrick.
    This episode is brought to you by Public: Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more in one place. A High-Yield Cash Account is a secondary brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn a variable interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance. Neither Public Investing nor any of its affiliates is a bank. US only. Learn more at public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account.
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    Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
    Follow us on Twitter: @JoinColossus | @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @zbfuss 
    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

    Show Notes
    (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns
    (00:04:55) Axon's Mission and Product Overview
    (00:07:28) The Evolution of Taser and Axon
    (00:10:55) Body Cameras and Market Expansion
    (00:12:28) Market Opportunity and Customer Segments
    (00:20:54) AI and Technological Innovations
    (00:23:53) Subscription Model and Customer Retention
    (00:29:26) Axon's Flywheel and Market Share
    (00:30:17) Customer Base and Market Penetration
    (00:31:55) Growth Engines and Product Penetration
    (00:34:03) Revenue Growth and Product Adoption
    (00:36:12) Margin Profile and Investment
    (00:38:26) Acquisitions and International Opportunities
    (00:42:54) Valuation and Competitive Landscape
    (00:45:53) Risks and Public Safety Spending
    (00:50:24) Key Lessons from Axon

    • 53 min
    Rolls-Royce: Turbines and Tribulations

    Rolls-Royce: Turbines and Tribulations

    Today, we are breaking down Rolls-Royce. A fair warning to those expecting to hear about luxury automobiles, that division was split from this business in the 1970s. But as we discuss the history of Rolls-Royce on this episode, you will hear how the DNA of this company still ties together from its early 1900s origins.
    Our guest is Graeme Forster from Orbis Investments. Graeme walks us through the core business of Rolls-Royce in the aerospace market, the evolving duopoly of the wide-body aircraft engine manufacturers, and the ups and downs of properly capturing the economic opportunity. I really appreciated Graeme's intellectual honesty in discussing Rolls, and I expect you will, too. Please enjoy this Breakdown on Rolls-Royce

    Register for the Business Breakdowns x Founders Conference.
    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
    -----
    This episode is brought to you by Tegus, where we're changing the game in investment research. Step away from outdated, inefficient methods and into the future with our platform, proudly hosting over 100,000 transcripts – with over 25,000 transcripts added just this year alone. Our platform grows eight times faster and adds twice as much monthly content as our competitors, putting us at the forefront of the industry. Plus, with 75% of private market transcripts available exclusively on Tegus, we offer insights you simply can't find elsewhere. See the difference a vast, quality-driven transcript library makes. Unlock your free trial at tegus.com/patrick.
    This episode is brought to you by Public: Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more in one place. A High-Yield Cash Account is a secondary brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn a variable interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance. Neither Public Investing nor any of its affiliates is a bank. US only. Learn more at public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account.
    -----
    Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
    Follow us on Twitter: @JoinColossus | @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @zbfuss 
    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

    Show Notes
    (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns
    (00:04:54) Overview of Rolls-Royce
    (00:08:35) History and Evolution of Rolls-Royce
    (00:10:44) Rolls Royce's Aerospace and Defense Ventures
    (00:11:57) Challenges and Nationalization
    (00:14:43) Current Business Segments and Market Position
    (00:20:57) Service Agreements and Profitability
    (00:27:41) Engineering Excellence vs. Commercial Strategy
    (00:31:26) The Aerospace Business Ecosystem
    (00:33:11) Rolls-Royce's Margin Profile
    (00:35:13) Challenges and Changes in Management
    (00:37:28) Cost Structure and Revenue Optimization
    (00:38:32) Engine Performance and Development
    (00:40:04) Market Dynamics and Competition
    (00:49:13) Future of Nuclear Reactors
    (00:52:46) Capital Allocation and Management
    (00:56:08) Lessons from breaking down Rolls-Royce

    • 55 min
    Cintas: Rags to Riches

    Cintas: Rags to Riches

    This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down Cintas Corporation. It is America's largest uniform rental company, and for around $1.50 per worker per day, Cintas will collect, clean, and replace uniforms for organizations in industries such as lodging, hospitality, entertainment, manufacturing, and retail.
    To help break down Cintas, I am joined by Delian Entchev, a portfolio manager at Aoris Investment Management. The company's origins trace back to the Great Depression, when its founder, who was a circus worker at the time, began a small business to reclaim and clean rags for local factories in Cincinnati, Ohio.
    Nearly a hundred years later, Cintas is set to approach 10 billion in sales at a 10% five-year CAGR and a 20% operating margin. It remains a family-owned business, with multiple generations of the Farmer family having held leadership roles at the company. Please enjoy this Breakdown of Cintas Corporation.

    Register for the Business Breakdowns x Founders Conference.
    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
    -----
    This episode is brought to you by Public: Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more in one place. A High-Yield Cash Account is a secondary brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn a variable interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance. Neither Public Investing nor any of its affiliates is a bank. US only. Learn more at public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account.
    -----
    Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
    Follow us on Twitter: @JoinColossus | @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @zbfuss 
    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

    Show Notes
    (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns
    (00:05:52) Overview of Cintas Corporation
    (00:07:49) Cintas's Business Model and Services
    (00:14:22) Financial Performance and Market Position
    (00:15:23) Historical Evolution of Cintas
    (00:19:14) Economic Model and Customer Engagement
    (00:21:26) Growth Drivers and Competitive Landscape
    (00:27:14) Competitive Advantages and Scale
    (00:32:15) Corporate Culture and Lessons Learned
    (00:34:29) Challenges and Strategic Adjustments
    (00:39:40) Future Risks and Opportunities
    (00:43:25) Capital Allocation and Customer Relationships
    (00:46:47) Lessons From Breaking Down Cintas

    • 46 min
    Mineral Resources: Unearthing Value

    Mineral Resources: Unearthing Value

    This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are breaking down Mineral Resources. Even if you've had some bad experiences investing in commodities, I would not skip over this one so quickly. 
    Fraser Christie, investor at TDM Growth Partners, joined me to talk about how MinRes has taken a different approach to the historically cyclical boom-bust industry. We walk through the increasingly vertical integration of Mineral Resources' business and we get into some of the thoughtful capital allocation that has taken place through this history. It's a very fun business with a very fun founder who still remains a key player. Please enjoy this breakdown of Mineral Resources.

    Register for the Business Breakdowns x Founders Conference.
    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
    -----
    This episode is brought to you by Public: Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more in one place. A High-Yield Cash Account is a secondary brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn a variable interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance. Neither Public Investing nor any of its affiliates is a bank. US only. Learn more at public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account.
    -----
    Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
    Follow us on Twitter: @JoinColossus | @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @zbfuss 
    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

    Show Notes
    (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns
    (00:05:58) Deep Dive into Mineral Resources' Business Segments
    (00:07:26) Founder Chris Ellison's Entrepreneurial Journey
    (00:10:22) Overview of the Mining Market and Its Competitive Landscape
    (00:16:43) Mineral Resources' Financial Model and Capital Allocation Strategy
    (00:27:59) Intercompany Innovations and Employee Welfare
    (00:36:03) The Time Line for Recouping An Investment in Mining
    (00:40:11) Mineral Resources as a M&A Target
    (00:43:56) Main Risks and Challenges
    (00:49:38) Lessons From Breaking Down Mineral Resources 

    • 51 min
    Motorola Solutions: From Zero to Hero

    Motorola Solutions: From Zero to Hero

    Today, we are breaking down Motorola Solutions. This breakdown is a fascinating story of brand versus business, as Motorola was a mainstay on Interbrands' Top 100 Brand list for most of the 2000s. 
    I'm joined by Portfolio Manager, Joseph Shaposhnik. We discuss how Motorola achieved stealth success over the past 15 years while Apple overtook its iconic flip phone. We also cover how CEO Greg Brown worked with two, and arguably three, activist investors to focus on mission-critical communications, a very specific customer segment, and a more blended hardware-software model. It's a truly great example of a business finding a niche and executing to a T. Please enjoy this Breakdown on Motorola.

    Register for the Business Breakdowns x Founders Conference.
    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
    -----
    This episode is brought to you by Public: Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more in one place. A High-Yield Cash Account is a secondary brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn a variable interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance. Neither Public Investing nor any of its affiliates is a bank. US only. Learn more at public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account.
    -----
    Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
    Follow us on Twitter: @JoinColossus | @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @zbfuss 
    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).
    Show Notes
    (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns
    (00:05:35) The Fall and Rise of Motorola Solutions
    (00:07:05) Greg Brown's Strategic Leadership
    (00:12:26) Motorola's Business Model and Market Position
    (00:16:27) Land Mobile Radio Networks Explained
    (00:23:26) Video Security and Command Centers
    (00:28:53) Financial Performance and Growth Strategy
    (00:33:12) Motorola’s Strong Pricing Power
    (00:37:27) Saturating The Customer Through Acquisitions
    (00:41:38) Competitive Landscape and Future Prospects
    (00:45:03) The Threat of Competition In Software
    (00:50:23) Motorola as an Acquisition Target
    (00:52:39) Lessons from Motorola Solutions

    • 55 min
    The Marina Industry: Building Moats, Storing Boats

    The Marina Industry: Building Moats, Storing Boats

    This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down the U.S. Marina Industry. In the U.S. there are more than 11,000 marinas, grossing over $6 billion in sales. 
    Today, there is a 12 to 1 ratio of registered boats versus the supply of rentable wet slips and dry storage spaces. Zoning regulations lead to limited supply growth, which has led to a sustained backdrop of strong, profitable growth for the industry. 
    To break down the industry, I am joined by David Chesner, co-CEO of Grove Point Marinas, and Josh Koplewicz, managing partner of Thayer Street Partners. We discuss how Marinas are currently evolving from a largely local and independent model to one that is institutionalizing as an asset class and lowering the industry's cost of capital, helping to finance growth. And, to illustrate the unit economics, we cover the largest players in the space, including publicly traded Sun Communities’ Safe Harbor Marina business. Please enjoy this breakdown of the Marina Industry. 


    Register for the Business Breakdowns x Founders Conference.
    For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.
    -----
    This episode is brought to you by Public: Invest in stocks, bonds, options, crypto, and more in one place. A High-Yield Cash Account is a secondary brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Funds from this account are automatically deposited into partner banks where they earn a variable interest and are eligible for FDIC insurance. Neither Public Investing nor any of its affiliates is a bank. US only. Learn more at public.com/disclosures/high-yield-account.
    -----
    Business Breakdowns is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Business Breakdowns, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.
    Follow us on Twitter: @JoinColossus | @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @zbfuss 
    Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

    Show Notes
    (00:00:00) Welcome to Business Breakdowns
    (00:05:21) Overview of the Marina Industry
    (00:08:00) Revenue and Margins in the Marina Business
    (00:10:36) Operational Improvements and Best Practices
    (00:12:54) Challenges in Marina Development
    (00:14:10) Competitive Landscape and Market Players
    (00:27:02) Growth Strategies and Financial Insights
    (00:34:28) Risks and Resilience in the Marina Industry
    (00:39:08) Lessons Learned from the Marina Industry

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
301 Ratings

301 Ratings

Hatingskype ,

Delightful show

The work that goes into the show really shines through can’t wait for the next one

txPSU ,

Great podcast!!

I manage all my own investments and a few of your episodes have given me the conviction to make big bets which are paying off and step away from a couple investments I wanted to make and then you rescued me. Keep it up! Which I could put my portfolio in a suggestion box and have you do each stock!

KHAAAAAAAAN!!!!! ,

Fantastic.

If the hosts/producer reads this, please do an episode on Microstrategy. It would be extremely interesting.

Great podcast!

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