In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Grant Marcks, Partner at The Riverside Company, to unpack his journey through private equity, franchising, and fatherhood.

With over 15 years of experience in business development, capital markets, and relationship management, Grant leads Riverside’s franchise industry specialization, sourcing investments and shaping strategy across the lower and middle markets. He shares how internships shaped his path, the unique dynamics of the franchise world, and how private equity is evolving with new entrants and market shifts.

Beyond finance, Grant reflects on the importance of relationships, patience, and being present for his young family — proving that success isn’t just measured by deals closed, but by the impact made at home.

✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis — helping founders go further, together.

Takeaways

Franzy is creating a marketplace for buying and selling franchises

Alex’s journey started in the laundry industry during college

Franchisors often struggle financially until hitting scale

Happiness is a guiding principle for both parenting and business

Parenthood requires grace, empathy, and adaptability

Family goals can be structured like business OKRs

Success means building a significant business while being present for family

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👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-marcks-722bb671/

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