In this episode of Permanent Equity, Michael Crow sits down with Adi Klevit, founder of the Business Success Consulting Group and host of the System Simplified podcast. With decades of experience as an industrial engineer and management consultant, Adi specializes in documenting and implementing business processes that help owners regain time, reduce chaos, and build scalable companies. Together, they explore the critical role of operational systems in both buying and selling businesses, from knowledge transfer and employee training to boosting valuations and managing acquisitions. Adi shares practical insights for owners looking to exit or grow, and how systems can turn businesses into repeatable, transferable assets.

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[00:00:00] Michael introduces Adi Klevit and her background in process consulting.

[00:01:51] Adi explains why documentation alone isn’t enough—it must be implemented and used.

[00:02:59] Her motivation for starting Business Success Consulting Group.

[00:04:01] Defining what makes a strong process or system, using lead intake as an example.

[00:05:06] How process mapping works across departments and identifying operational gaps.

[00:05:48] Ways to measure project success—from reducing callbacks to increasing business valuation.

[00:08:36] The importance of rolling out processes and ensuring adoption company-wide.

[00:10:43] Why documentation must be living, accessible, and regularly updated.

[00:11:22] Process dependency and its impact on business valuation.

[00:12:48] Cultural buy-in and leadership participation as essential to successful implementation.

[00:14:47] How Adi determines where to begin documentation—based on need, growth, or risk.

[00:17:22] Adi and Michael discuss what makes a business scalable.

[00:19:03] AI's role in systematization and why clear processes are still foundational.

[00:20:00] Real-life client examples of scaling, knowledge extraction, and reducing training time.

[00:23:44] When new business buyers should begin process documentation—ideally immediately.

[00:25:03] Structuring acquisitions to enable post-sale knowledge transfer.

[00:27:58] Ongoing support: from initial documentation to quarterly updates and audits.

[00:29:28] Ideal company size and revenue for implementing these systems.

[00:30:20] How franchisees and franchisors differ in their process needs.

[00:31:53] Final deliverables: digital process documentation systems, not just binders.

[00:33:44] Merging companies: dealing with conflicting systems, teams, and software.

[00:35:53] Key due diligence questions to ask when buying a business.

[00:38:58] Adi’s advice: ask “why” and “why not,” observe first, then optimize.

[00:40:14] Where to find Adi’s work, podcast, and contact info.

Links:

Adi Klevit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adiklevit 

Business Success Consulting Group: https://bizsuccesscg.com/ 

Reach Adi by phone: 503-662-2911

CEO World Article: https://ceoworld.biz/2025/04/26/beyond-the-deal-how-to-integrate-processes-after-an-acquisition/ 

Download “How to Increase Profitability through Systematization” e-book: http://www.successreplicated.com/ 

Michael Crow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-crow-ny/ 

Learn more about Crow Companies: https://crowcompanies.com/

In this episode of Permanent Equity, Michael Crow sits down with Matthias Smith, founder of Pioneer Capital Advisory and an expert in SBA 7(a) acquisition financing. Since launching his firm in 2022, Matthias has built an eight-person team that’s helped close more than $100 million in SBA-backed transactions. He shares how a chance entry into banking led to a career empowering entrepreneurs to acquire and grow small businesses. Michael and Matthias explore how SBA programs have evolved, recent regulatory changes, and what buyers should know about seller notes, deal structure, and post-closing liquidity. Matthias also discusses his path from employee to entrepreneur, the rise of ETA and franchise models, and his goals for expanding into independent sponsor financing.

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[00:00:26] Matthias’s background and introduction to SBA lending.

[00:03:10] Early career in banking and how he discovered small business financing.

[00:07:45] Evolution of the SBA loan landscape and its expanding role.

[00:10:50] Why Matthias launched Pioneer Capital Advisory and leveraged social media.

[00:15:32] The SBA’s mission shift from “last resort” to a mainstream financing option.

[00:21:18] The structure and process of an SBA 7(a) loan from start to finish.

[00:27:44] Importance of post-closing liquidity and what banks look for.

[00:33:56] How rising rates and looser guidelines affected borrower quality.

[00:37:41] Understanding seller notes, guarantees, and new SBA rules.

[00:42:03] Using SBA financing for roll-ups and Paris Pursuit structures.

[00:46:55] SBA’s updated stance on franchise lending and its implications.

[00:51:40] Advice for mid-career professionals entering entrepreneurship through acquisition.

[00:56:25] Pioneer Capital’s next frontier: independent sponsor financing.

[01:00:10] Lessons learned from leaving corporate life and building a company from scratch.

[01:02:22] Matthias’s advice for structuring smart leverage and maintaining liquidity.

[01:05:14] Closing reflections and where to connect with Matthias and Pioneer Capital Advisory.

Links:

Matthias Smith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthiassmith

Learn more about Crow Companies: https://crowcompanies.com/

In this episode of Permanent Equity, host Michael Crow speaks with Thomas Manglaviti about his transition from commercial real estate into the small business M&A world. Thomas reflects on his career path, from working on non-traded REITs to building a $500M real estate portfolio and then shifting focus to advising and acquiring small businesses. The conversation covers the parallels between real estate and business acquisitions, valuation methods, SBA lending changes, and the role of AI in streamlining transactions. Thomas shares insights on what makes businesses attractive to buyers, the importance of clean financials, and how business owners can prepare for sale. The discussion highlights both opportunities and challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

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(00:00:00) Introduction of guest Thomas Manglaviti and his career background.

(00:02:21) Early roles in financial sales and transition into analysis and acquisitions.

(00:03:40) Building a real estate portfolio and lessons learned during growth.

(00:04:54) Comparing commercial real estate modeling to small business valuations.

(00:08:15) Why businesses often provide higher returns and stability than real estate.

(00:10:23) Rewards of working directly with small business owners.

(00:12:15) Market opportunity driven by retiring business owners ("silver tsunami").

(00:13:32) Valuation approaches for different industries, from laundromats to tech firms.

(00:15:27) The myth of passive income in small businesses.

(00:16:27) Key advice for preparing a business for sale: SOPs and clean financials.

(00:19:01) Importance of scaleability factors like reputation and systems.

(00:19:55) Essential services and laundromats as highly sought-after businesses.

(00:20:49) How AI is changing business brokerage and deal flow.

(00:23:10) SBA lending changes and their effect on pricing and buyers.

(00:27:42) Why realistic expectations matter when selling a business.

(00:29:01) Restaurants and food delivery as enduring business models.

(00:30:17) How sellers find advisors and the role of discovery calls.

(00:32:05) Pitfalls of selling without an advisor and relying on single offers.

(00:34:16) Advice for aspiring buyers: start with industries you know.

(00:36:08) Where to connect with Thomas and his firm.

(00:36:59) Closing reflections and a fun fact about Thomas's track background.

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Thomas Manglaviti on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-manglaviti-7a5910105

Learn more about Crow Companies: https://crowcompanies.com/

In the first episode of Permanent Equity, host Michael Crow shares his personal journey from corporate finance to small business ownership. Michael reflects on early success in consulting and banking, a life-altering battle with cancer, and the lessons learned through building and losing companies along the way. He explains why owning a business provides real security in a changing world, why compounding is the most powerful force for wealth creation, and why small business ownership offers unmatched opportunities compared to traditional investing. This solo episode sets the stage for the Permanent Equity podcast — a platform for sharing real stories, practical insights, and strategies to help listeners achieve economic freedom. 

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(00:00:00) Michael Crow introduces the purpose of the podcast and why he's starting it with a solo episode.

(00:00:53) His early career in consulting and corporate banking.

(00:01:53) First ventures into real estate and side businesses.

(00:02:14) A cancer diagnosis that shifted his priorities and led to entrepreneurship.

(00:02:36) Building a holding company, buying and selling businesses, and the impact of the 2008 crash.

(00:03:30) Re-entering real estate, scaling to 5,000+ units, and weathering COVID challenges.

(00:04:19) Expanding into trades and services through Crow Companies.

(00:05:21) Family involvement in the business and reflections on true job security.

(00:05:55) Why ownership is essential in the age of AI and technological disruption.

(00:06:28) The compounding effect and long-term wealth building.

(00:07:19) Practical advice for those considering small business ownership.

(00:07:43) The importance of aligning business strategy with personal strengths and timing.

(00:08:33) Comparing returns from small business ownership to public markets and private equity.

(00:08:56) Different paths to ownership — operator, partner, or investor.

(00:09:15) How ownership has driven wealth disparity and why more Americans should get involved.

(00:09:59) Setting realistic goals and focusing on building solid businesses over time.

(00:10:19) Economic security as the foundation for personal freedom and better quality of life.

(00:10:44) Preview of future resources: newsletter, book, and guest episodes.

Learn more about Crow Companies: https://crowcompanies.com/

Are you a mid-career professional, someone who's 45 or older, wondering if entrepreneurship could be your path to economic freedom? Welcome to  Permanent Equity, the podcast that offers buyers and owners of small businesses the insights they need to navigate the journey of acquiring, owning, and growing a business with one ultimate goal: economic freedom.

Your host, Michael Crow, is the founder and CIO of Crow Companies, a family-owned company that owns and operates several businesses. Each episode, he’ll be sitting down with guests who joined his group of business owners to hear their stories and lessons, from what worked to what did not. Together, they’ll talk about how they converted problems into opportunities so that you can learn from others and avoid as many mistakes as possible. The time spent here is an investment in yourself and future business ownership.

On this show, we dive deep into the SEARCH process, our time-tested framework that can boost your probability of success in business ownership, no matter what path you choose. And remember, as Michael says, “experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.” So listen in to hear the stories of business experiences that often went poorly before reaching great success. Tune in to discover inspiring business journeys that faced challenges before achieving remarkable success, so you can avoid the same costly mistakes.

If you’re interested in small business ownership, this is the show for you. Tune in to Permanent Equity to get educated and prepared to achieve economic freedom. Tune in to Permanent Equity to educate yourself and prepare to achieve economic freedom.