Long Term Relationships for Long Term Growth
Our team is most successful when we have the opportunity to build long-term relationships with outstanding entrepreneurs. We build to last, not to flip, understand the importance of making the right decisions for the long run, and appreciate the spadework of strategic choices, tactical positioning, and development of key relationships that must occur long before an entrepreneur considers an exit.
We bring an ownership mindset and personal passion to the company that is similar to an entrepreneur’s. We spend the time to understand things we don’t know and share our counsel honestly. Our relationship with the entrepreneur over the long term matters to us at a deep, personal level.
Sometimes that relationship starts early – months or even years in advance of an investment. We know how great entrepreneurs think, and like hearing about their dream at every stage of the journey from founding to IPO. So even if your company is too early stage for us now or doesn’t fit us today for other reasons, we don’t want it to be the end of the conversation.
You will spend a great deal of time, effort, and money together with a new partner, so the chemistry in the partnership needs to be more than effective. It should also be enjoyable.
That chemistry ought to do more than help the company navigate challenges and exploit opportunities; it should also add a camaraderie that adds conviviality in the good times and takes the edge off the bad times.
You will spend a great deal of time, effort, and money together with a new partner, so the chemistry ought to be productive and enjoyable. It should add conviviality in the good times and take the edge off the bad times.
Getting this chemistry right isn’t about control or board seats or formal systems. It’s about trust, playing to each other’s strengths, and making the concessions and adjustments that a given situation demands.
Everyone on the team develops a high level of confidence in the relationship, and over time you each learn when to take your shot and when to pass the ball.