Mark Langer on Grit, Judgment, and Long-Term Business Building

Mark Langer, Managing Director at CenterOak Partners, reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to private equity—from early grit and middle-market investing to deploying capital in Africa and building enduring CEO partnerships. He explains why servant leadership, trust, and long-term thinking matter more than control in lower middle-market value creation. Mark also shares candid lessons on risk-taking, mistakes, and navigating the non-linear reality of business building. This is a grounded, hard-earned perspective from someone who has seen the full arc of private equity—hit play. Episode Highlights 2:01 – Early lessons in grit, work ethic, and "figure it out" resilience 6:02 – Breaking into middle-market investing after 9/11 and choosing the hard path 12:05 – Being sent to deploy capital in Africa—and learning fast under pressure 17:26 – Why CEO trust and long-term relationships matter more than control 19:32 – Reining in chaos in the lower middle market without killing momentum 25:34 – When investments go sideways and how real value gets created anyway 30:10 – Advice to younger investors: take risks, make mistakes, and think longer term For more information on CenterOak Partners, go to https://centeroakpartners.com/ For more information on Mark Langer, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-langer-006a02ba  

Emily Bomberger, Vice President at Penn Spring Capital, shares her nontraditional path into private equity and the operating mindset she brings to evaluating founder-led businesses. She explains how early experiences in marketing, accounting, and PE-backed advisory work shaped her approach to judgment, value creation, and partnership with entrepreneurs. Emily also outlines what Penn Spring looks for in markets, founders, and focus—and why discipline matters more in tighter environments. This is a grounded conversation on learning fast, building trust, and making better investment decisions—worth your time. Episode Highlights 1:41 – Growing up in a small town and seeing firsthand how businesses shape communities 4:26 – Early operating exposure and learning how decisions flow through a business 7:35 – Working with first-time PE-backed companies during the critical first 100 days 10:57 – Why Penn Spring prioritizes focus, speed, and small deal teams 16:52 – Emily's scorecard for evaluating founder-led businesses and market tailwinds 19:24 – Why founder alignment and partial liquidity unlock the next growth phase 29:51 – The danger of scope creep and why doing fewer things better wins 35:59 – Warmth vs. competence in dealmaking—and why trust closes transactions For more information on Penn Spring Capital, go to https://pennspring.com/ For more information on Emily Bomberger, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-bomberger-1b243256/

Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave, shares the key takeaways from BluWave's 2025 Private Equity Insights Report and what they signal for the year ahead. Drawing on real-time data from hundreds of PE firms and thousands of portfolio companies, he outlines how the industry shifted from defense to offense, why diligence and value creation surged late in the year, and what separates winners from laggards entering 2026. Sean also delivers clear predictions on AI adoption, talent, software sprawl, and the accelerating deal rebound. This episode sets the context every private equity leader needs before leaning into the next cycle—press play. Episode Highlights 0:58 – Why private equity shifted from defense to offense in 2025 4:48 – What GDP, inflation, and productivity data revealed about economic resilience 9:59 – The 41% diligence surge and why it's a leading indicator for deal flow 12:36 – Human capital's comeback and what new deals signal for leadership hiring 18:20 – 2026 predictions: AI moves from buzzword to execution tactic 27:58 – Avoiding AI pilot purgatory and prioritizing adoption that actually delivers ROI 37:21 – Why dry powder, LP pressure, and speed will define the next PE deal cycle For more on BluWave, visit: https://www.bluwave.net/ To request the full Q4 2025 Insights Report, visit: https://www.bluwave.net/insights-report/  

Geoff Faux, Partner at Clearview Capital, shares the principles that shape his approach to private equity investing, from evaluating management teams and industry dynamics to navigating adversity when deals go sideways. He reflects on lessons forged through competitive athletics, a career built inside one firm, and a defining portfolio company crisis that tested every assumption about value creation. Geoff also explains Clearview's first-in institutional playbook and how focus, prioritization, and people decisions drive durable outcomes. This is a grounded, hard-earned perspective on what it really takes to build winning businesses—hit play. Episode Highlights 1:01 – How elite swimming shaped Geoff's discipline, focus, and investing mindset 4:17 – Growing up around lower middle market deals and choosing private equity early 13:02 – The four variables that matter most in private equity investment decisions 19:55 – Why industry stability and baseline management strength are non-negotiables 24:21 – A first deal gone wrong—and the crisis that nearly broke the investment 28:35 – Rebuilding through COVID and turning a near-zero into a top portfolio performer 47:29 – Advice to Geoff's 22-year-old self on teams, people judgment, and resilience For more information on Clearview Capital  go to https://www.clearviewcap.com/ For more information on Geoffrey Faux, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoff-faux-27826518/

Sean Mooney curates the 2025 reading list recommended by private equity investors, operating partners, and portfolio company CEOs featured on Karma School of Business this year. The episode spans business strategy, capital allocation, leadership, happiness, mindset, and life design—through the lens of people actively building and scaling companies. From The Outsiders to Traction to unexpected personal favorites, the list reflects what serious operators are actually reading and rereading. If you're building for the long term, this one earns a spot in your queue. Episode Highlights 1:12 – Casey Myers on shifting from achievement to fulfillment with From Strength to Strength 2:53 – Steve Hunter reframes money, time, and health through Die With Zero 4:04 – Jonathan Metrick on compounding time, skills, and careers via The Algebra of Wealth 7:35 – Ran Ding explains why great CEOs are elite capital allocators in The Outsiders 11:11 – Chris Scullin on dynamic competition and adaptation from The Innovator's Dilemma 14:01 – Micah Dawson on focus, ambition, and escaping the hedonic treadmill with The One Thing 18:20 – Dan Gaspar on operational discipline and change using Traction and Who Moved My Cheese?

Rob Turano, Operating Partner at Bloom Equity Partners, breaks down the playbook he uses to transform lower middle-market software companies—from sharpening product focus to elevating talent and building repeatable go-to-market engines. He shares how Bloom integrates operating partners early in diligence, accelerates transformation in the first 12–18 months, and instills a performance culture rooted in data, speed, and ownership. Rob also gets personal, from his love of cooking to the practices he uses to think more clearly as a leader. It's a sharp, candid look at what real value creation in private equity demands today—hit play and take notes. Episode Highlights 1:31 – Growing up in New Jersey, Villanova roots, and the consulting-to-private-equity path 5:56 – Why food matters in Rob's life and how he became Bloom's unofficial in-house chef 9:22 – The three traits Bloom looks for: focus, management strength, and GTM maturity 14:38 – Selling value vs. selling features—and why every salesperson must think like a CFO 20:49 – How Bloom's deal, BD, and operating teams collaborate from diligence through execution 27:45 – The urgency of the first 6–12 months and the sequencing of transformation in PE 36:18 – Rob's top advice to PortCos today: talent first, disciplined KPIs, and repeatable GTM engines 40:25 – The book shift that made Rob more creative—and the life hack that helps him think clearly For more information on Bloom Equity Partners, go to https://www.bloomequitypartners.com/ For more information on Robert Turano, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-turano

Eliot Kerlin, Founder and Managing Partner of Broadwing Capital, shares the unconventional path that took him from pre-med to private equity and the principles that now guide his firm's approach to building durable, high-performing companies. He unpacks Broadwing's value-creation playbook, the importance of forecasting NTM cash flow, and why culture, people analytics, and in-person leadership sit at the center of long-term success. Eliot also reflects on the tenacity required to launch a firm—and the clarity needed to focus on what truly matters. It's a grounded, thoughtful conversation that sharpens anyone building or leading in today's private equity landscape. Episode Highlights: 1:04 – Growing up in Texas, early influences, and the winding path from pre-med to finance 3:44 – Breaking into Wall Street from a non-target school and the power of persistence 10:51 – Lessons from hands-on jobs and how service work shapes leadership instincts 17:54 – What makes a "good business" vs. a "good investment" and why NTM cash flow matters most 26:55 – The tenacity and structure behind launching Broadwing Capital in a tough fundraising market 33:42 – How Broadwing builds culture, trust, and alignment inside portfolio companies 48:35 – Eliot's most influential books and the thinking frameworks he uses to lead and invest For more information on Broadwing Capital, go to https://broadwingcap.com/ For more information on Eliot Kerlin, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliot-kerlin-89432b/

Renn Iaboni, Managing Director at Monomoy Capital Partners, joins Sean to discuss how disciplined sourcing, cultural alignment, and a 15-year proprietary data engine shape Monomoy's approach to private equity. He shares how engineering training, relationship-driven BD, and resilience forged through career adversity inform the way he builds high-trust deal pipelines. Renn also details how Monomoy's Beacon platform connects BD, investment, and credit teams to operate as one cohesive firm. It's a candid look at what modern private equity excellence really requires — and why Monomoy's model stands apart. Episode Highlights 1:19 – Growing up in New York, engineering ambitions, and the winding path into private equity 3:04 – How engineering training equips professionals for ambiguity and problem-solving in PE 9:40 – Renn's pivotal career setback at Macquarie and how building a new practice became an inflection point 14:46 – Why Monomoy's integrated model works and how cross-functional collaboration is reinforced 17:53 – Inside "Beacon," Monomoy's proprietary CRM and sourcing engine 20:58 – A real case study: tracking Wapac for years and how long-term data compounds sourcing advantages 23:54 – Renn's advice to his 22-year-old self and how energy, not passion alone, should guide career choices

In this episode of Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney interviews Drew Meyers, Partner at Seaport Capital. Drew shares how his unconventional path—from off-track betting to M&A integration—shaped his approach to lower middle-market private equity. He breaks down Seaport's focused strategy on founder-led businesses, where they invest early in professionalization across strategy, sales, and finance. The conversation covers everything from the importance of relationships and never burning bridges to how BluWave helps Seaport access cost-effective resources tailored to smaller portfolio companies. Episode Highlights: 2:00 - Drew's winding path into PE, including bartending and selling industrial insulation 6:00 - Why M&A integration experience is valuable training for private equity 13:00 - Working with founder-led businesses and understanding the founder mindset 19:00 - Seaport's three-part value creation playbook: strategy, sales, and finance 29:00 - How to professionalize early-stage companies without overspending 32:00 - Finding cost-compatible resources for $3M EBITDA businesses 35:00 - Career advice: never burn bridges and do things the right way For more information on Seaport Capital, go to https://www.seaportcapital.com/ For more information on Drew Meyers, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-j-meyers/

In this special edition of the Karma School of Business, Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave, breaks down key findings from BluWave's Q3 2025 Private Equity Insights Report. Drawing parallels between his son's fencing lessons and today's economic climate, Sean explains how the best investors are shifting from a defensive stance to an offensive one. Seeing through the noise, leaning forward, and playing to win. He shares fresh data showing that deal activity, due diligence spending, and AI investment are all surging—signs of an industry on the offense. From the manufacturing renaissance to the rise of flatter, AI-enabled organizations, Sean offers a grounded, data-backed view of where private equity and the broader economy are heading next. Episode Highlights 1:07 – The Sport of Fencing and PE: what private equity can learn from shifting from defense to offense 4:40 – Why the U.S. economy is "good enough" and accelerating despite the noise 11:45 – Deal data shows confidence returning: due diligence projects up 43% year-over-year 14:33 – PE firms' AI and analytics demand surges 300% and 1,600% for AI/ML advisory 18:39 – Manufacturing reshoring, venture collaboration, and the next wave of innovation 21:06 – The coming of flatter, AI-enabled organizations and what it means for talent 25:39 – Sticky inflation, rate cuts, and why the next economic cycle is already underway   For more on BluWave, visit: https://www.bluwave.net/ To request the full Q3 2025 Insights Report, visit: https://www.bluwave.net/insights-report/