🎙️ From Factory Floor to Private Equity: Rob Carskadden's Journey in Transforming Small Businesses

In this inspiring episode, Rob Carskadden, co-founder and managing partner of Three Rivers Capital, shares his remarkable journey from working the factory floor at Ford Motor Company to building a successful private equity firm focused on small business transformation. With over 20 years of experience in buying and recapitalizing family-owned businesses, Rob reveals the human side of private equity, the untapped potential in small companies, and how foundational changes can drive substantial growth in overlooked markets.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• From Factory Floor to Finance: How hands-on manufacturing experience shaped Rob's understanding of real business operations

• The Hidden Market Opportunity: Why 350,000+ companies east of the Mississippi needed succession planning in 2004

• Small Business Transformation: How basic foundational changes like sales processes and ERP systems drive substantial growth

• The Human Element of M&A: Managing the emotional transition when entrepreneurs sell their "babies"

• Private Equity's Evolution: How the lower middle market has changed dramatically over 20 years

• Untapped Talent Discovery: Finding hidden gems within small company workforces during acquisitions

• Strategic Thematics: Using global trends like demographics and digitization to identify investment opportunities

• Entrepreneurial Resilience: Learning from setbacks and the willingness to say "yes" at critical moments

• Partnership Philosophy: Why trust and authenticity win deals over being the highest bidder

• Value Creation Planning: Building growth strategies collaboratively with existing management teams

🌟 Rob's Key Mentors & Influences:

• Parents: Blue-collar background that instilled curiosity, determination, and strong work ethic

• Wrestling Coach: Developed perseverance and "fire in the belly" determination from age six

• Ford Motor Company Mentors: Learned real manufacturing operations and product development

• Dale Buckwalter (Co-founder): Partnership built on mutual respect and complementary skills

• Wife and Family: Incredible support system that enabled entrepreneurial risk-taking with four children under seven

• Victor Frankl: "Man's Search for Meaning" - philosophy on finding purpose through adversity

• Marcus Aurelius: "Meditations" - focus on present moment and controlling what you can control

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about building authentic partnerships, the hidden potential in small businesses, and how curiosity and determination can transform both companies and lives.

🔗 Connect with Rob Carskadden:

• LinkedIn: Rob Carskadden

• Company Website: threeriversccap.com

• Three Rivers Capital: Pittsburgh-based private equity firm specializing in small business transformation

📄 Transcript Available: From Factory Floor to Private Equity: Rob Carskadden's Journey in Transforming Small Businesses

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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency:

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