In this episode, Benj talks with Larry Stoddard, a distribution industry veteran who's led companies through massive growth phases at Ferguson, Bradco, and RelaDyne. 

Larry pulls back the curtain on what private equity partnerships actually look like in distribution: from why PE firms are drawn to distributors, to the real operational challenges of integrating multiple company cultures. 

He also debunks the biggest myth about private equity (spoiler: they don't come in swinging axes), explains the "house flipper" mentality that drives PE strategy, and shares how a compressed 5-year timeline creates both breakthrough moments and sleepless nights. 

Whether you're a family business considering your exit options or an executive navigating PE ownership, Larry offers some important truths about what really happens when financial partners get involved.

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