In this episode of the Rainmaker Podcast, Mark Clewett, President and Managing Partner of Conestoga Capital Advisors, shares insights into his career and the growth of his firm. He discusses joining Conestoga in 2006 when it was a small firm with $200 million in assets and only seven employees. Today, Conestoga manages over $8 billion in assets, focusing on small- and mid-cap growth equity strategies.

Clewett attributes the firm’s success to its emphasis on consistent, high-quality client communications and long-term relationships with institutional consultants. He also highlights Conestoga's niche strategy of concentrating on companies with a sustainable competitive advantage.

Clewett discusses the importance of internal culture, noting that respect and collaboration across teams have been key to the firm's growth. For young professionals, he advises focusing on building relationships and being open to change. Clewett concludes by discussing the challenges of scaling a boutique firm while competing against larger industry players.