Inner Circle
← Back to Library
Content

Scaling to $2.54 Billion: The Truth About Private Equity Due Diligence! | Part 2

πŸ“… July 28, 2026 ⏱️ 45:20 🎀 Frank DeMarco, Lance Bachmann, Bernie Ollila

Chapters

Click to jump to section

  • 0:01
    The Human Element in Business
    Frank DeMarco discusses his personal motivation beyond money, focusing on leaving a positive impact and ensuring safety and security for his family.
  • 0:56
    Private Equity Due Diligence
    DeMarco explains that private equity firms prioritize trust in leadership over detailed financial analysis when acquiring businesses, highlighting that they 'buy the people'.
  • 1:08
    The Right Business Fit
    Frank reveals that out of 700 companies evaluated, only 23 were acquired, underscoring the stringent criteria for culture and growth potential.
  • 2:52
    Weather Resilience and Maintenance
    Frank discusses strategies for building a 'weather resilient' business by diversifying services like plumbing and emphasizing maintenance contracts to ensure consistent revenue.
  • 3:29
    Fanatical Customer Service
    Frank and Lance share anecdotes illustrating the extreme dedication required for exceptional customer service, even if it means immediately replacing a faulty product without waiting for warranty approval.
  • 4:29
    Value of Premium Pricing
    Both speakers agree that market leaders are never the cheapest, as premium pricing supports quality, training, and customer service necessary for a truly successful business.
  • 5:05
    Systems, Accountability, and People
    Frank talks about the three pillars of success for growing a business: repeatable and scalable systems, robust accountability, and exceptional people.
  • 5:57
    The Power of Humility
    Frank emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous learning, sharing how visiting other operations, regardless of size or industry, can provide valuable insights for improvement.
  • 6:37
    Ego vs. Winning
    Lance reflects on how controlling his ego transformed his leadership, stressing that 'winning the war' is more important than 'winning the battle' and that the mission is paramount.

Speakers

F
Frank DeMarco
L
Lance Bachmann
Host
B
Bernie Ollila
VP of Sales at Titan Pro Technologies

Key Takeaways

✦

Prioritize building trust with potential buyers: Private equity firms 'buy the people,' so focus on demonstrating integrity and strong leadership.

✦

Cultivate a strong company culture: Ensure your team, especially general managers, aligns with your values, as cultural fit is critical for successful integration and growth.

✦

Invest in quality and training: Don't compete on the lowest price. Charge accurately to reinvest in your business, provide excellent training, and offer superior service.

✦

Be fanatical about customer service: Empower your team to resolve issues promptly and go above and beyond, as customer experience is a key differentiator and lasting impression.

✦

Diversify services for resilience: Consider adding complementary trades like plumbing or electrical to reduce dependency on seasonal or weather-dependent work, creating a more stable business model.

✦

Embrace continuous learning: Maintain a 'student's mindset' and visit other operations, even outside your immediate industry, to find new ideas for efficiency and improvement.

✦

Check your ego at the door: Focus on the mission and long-term goals. Prioritize winning over being 'right,' and foster a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute to success.

Want the full experience?

Join the Inner Circle for full access to every episode, AI-powered insights, personalized coaching, and a network of industry leaders.

Join Inner Circle β†’

Inner Circle Membership Portal © 2026 Power100. All rights reserved.

power100.io