What does it take to transform founder-led businesses into industry leaders? In this episode of the Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney sits down with Trent Hickman, Co-Managing Partner at VSS Capital Partners, and shares his blueprint for creating value, building trust, and fostering growth alongside visionary management teams that every business builder and private equity professional needs to hear.
Episode Highlights
0:34 – Meet Trent Hickman: His journey from Charlotte, NC to becoming a leader in private equity and a passionate ski coach.
13:13 – What makes a great investment? The three key attributes Trent looks for in founder-led businesses.
19:04 – Building strong partnerships with management teams: Insights on aligning visions and maintaining a growth mindset.
22:02 – Innovative approaches to value creation: Using third-party expertise and ensuring multiple ways to win.
35:58 – The importance of embracing change and leveraging external resources to accelerate business success.
40:28 – Advice to the next generation: Trent’s reflections on patience, enjoying the journey, and collaborating to achieve long-term impact.
For more information on VSS Capital Partners, go to https://www.vss.com/
For more information on Trent Hickman, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/trenthickman/
For more information on BluWave and this podcast, go to https://www.bluwave.net/podcasts