In this episode of LeverUp®, we sat with John Caple, the Founding Managing Partner of Hidden Harbor. With over twenty years of private equity investment and operational experience, John shares his journey from his early days at Bain & Company, where he advised Fortune 500 companies and led private equity due diligence, to his pivotal role at H.I.G. Capital and Hidden Harbor Now at Hidden Harbor, John chairs the firm’s Investment Committee and leads the strategic direction of the firm,...

In today's episode, we welcome back Rico Smith, fresh off his primary election victory. We dive into how he secured a 13% win with a grassroots campaign and discuss his bold plans to tackle Florida’s biggest challenges. Rico shares his vision for lowering property insurance premiums, addressing the housing crisis, and helping Florida recover from Hurricane Helene. He also talks about how he plans to bring resources back to his community and engage younger voters with a message of...

In today's episode, we welcome back Rico Smith, fresh off his primary election victory. We dive into how he secured a 13% win with a grassroots campaign and discuss his bold plans to tackle Florida’s biggest challenges. Rico shares his vision for lowering property insurance premiums, addressing the housing crisis, and helping Florida recover from Hurricane Helene. He also talks about how he plans to bring resources back to his community and engage younger voters with a message of...

Today we sit down with Skylar Romines, founder of ATW Advisors and author of So She Did. In this episode, Skylar shares her 17-year journey in commercial insurance, how she built a thriving consulting firm, and the challenges she faced transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship. We dive deep into career-building strategies for women, the importance of networking, personal branding tips, and how to overcome work-life balance struggles. Skylar also reveals how she cultivated her...

Today we sit down with Skylar Romines, founder of ATW Advisors and author of So She Did. In this episode, Skylar shares her 17-year journey in commercial insurance, how she built a thriving consulting firm, and the challenges she faced transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship. We dive deep into career-building strategies for women, the importance of networking, personal branding tips, and how to overcome work-life balance struggles. Skylar also reveals how she cultivated her...

In this episode of the Lever Up Podcast, we sit down with Ryne Ogren, a former professional baseball player turned private equity investor. After a successful career as a shortstop and catcher with the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles, Ryne made a bold pivot into the world of digital marketing and inorganic entrepreneurship. He shares his unique journey from the baseball field to acquiring and scaling digital marketing agencies in Tampa, Miami, and Philadelphia. We dive deep into his...

In this episode of the Lever Up Podcast, we sit down with Ryne Ogren, a former professional baseball player turned private equity investor. After a successful career as a shortstop and catcher with the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles, Ryne made a bold pivot into the world of digital marketing and inorganic entrepreneurship. He shares his unique journey from the baseball field to acquiring and scaling digital marketing agencies in Tampa, Miami, and Philadelphia. We dive deep into his...

In this episode of the LeverUp® Podcast, we welcome John Maher, founder of Victoriam Group and expert in performance marketing. John breaks down the art and science of data-driven marketing and shares how he helps businesses, particularly in the financial services and lending sectors, achieve sustainable growth by optimizing their marketing efforts and reducing customer acquisition costs. With over a decade of experience, John has worked with a range of businesses, from small startups to...

In this episode of the LeverUp® Podcast, we welcome John Maher, founder of Victoriam Group and expert in performance marketing. John breaks down the art and science of data-driven marketing and shares how he helps businesses, particularly in the financial services and lending sectors, achieve sustainable growth by optimizing their marketing efforts and reducing customer acquisition costs. With over a decade of experience, John has worked with a range of businesses, from small startups to...

In this episode of Lever Up, we sit down with Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and host of VC Fast Pitch. Scott takes us through his incredible 30-year journey, starting as a runner on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to founding Black Dog Venture Partners, where he has helped startups raise over $5 billion and guided 30 successful exits. We discuss the value of assembling a strong team, how to prepare for raising capital, and why scaling a business at the right time can...

In this episode of Lever Up, we sit down with Scott Kelly, CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners and host of VC Fast Pitch. Scott takes us through his incredible 30-year journey, starting as a runner on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to founding Black Dog Venture Partners, where he has helped startups raise over $5 billion and guided 30 successful exits. We discuss the value of assembling a strong team, how to prepare for raising capital, and why scaling a business at the right time can...

In this episode of LeverUp, we sit down with Michael Picardi, a mid-career investor relations professional with a fascinating background. From starting his career in fintech with Masterworks and transitioning to private wealth at Alliance Bernstein, Michael shares valuable insights into the world of finance and investor relations. Join us as Michael discusses his experiences working in a fast-paced fintech startup, the challenges of cold calling, and the importance of building strong client...

In this episode of LeverUp, we sit down with Michael Picardi, a mid-career investor relations professional with a fascinating background. From starting his career in fintech with Masterworks and transitioning to private wealth at Alliance Bernstein, Michael shares valuable insights into the world of finance and investor relations. Join us as Michael discusses his experiences working in a fast-paced fintech startup, the challenges of cold calling, and the importance of building strong client...

In this episode, we sit down with Swaney Group Capital's Chief Operating Officer, Robert ‘Bo’ Plante III. Bo's career spans from Virginia Tech to the State Department in Moscow, followed by distinguished service in both the Marine Corps and the Army Special Forces. Bo shares his journey from military service to private equity, highlighting how his military leadership and strategic planning skills translate to the corporate world. He discusses the challenges and rewards of leading strategic...

In this episode, we sit down with Swaney Group Capital's Chief Operating Officer, Robert ‘Bo’ Plante III. Bo's career spans from Virginia Tech to the State Department in Moscow, followed by distinguished service in both the Marine Corps and the Army Special Forces. Bo shares his journey from military service to private equity, highlighting how his military leadership and strategic planning skills translate to the corporate world. He discusses the challenges and rewards of leading strategic...

This episode is a re-run from when we sat spoke with Scott Larson, a financial expert with over 15 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds. Scott founded OutFin Group in 2023, which helps founders of $2-$20 million revenue businesses prepare for profitable exits. With a background in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase and private equity experience at GCP Capital Partners, Scott shares valuable insights from his impressive career. In this episode, Scott...

This episode is a re-run from when we sat spoke with Scott Larson, a financial expert with over 15 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds. Scott founded OutFin Group in 2023, which helps founders of $2-$20 million revenue businesses prepare for profitable exits. With a background in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase and private equity experience at GCP Capital Partners, Scott shares valuable insights from his impressive career. In this episode, Scott...

Today we are joined by Ryan Harrington, a seasoned startup investor, advisor, and product manager specializing in financial technology. In this episode, Ryan shares his incredible journey from a private wealth analyst at JPMorgan to becoming a key player in the NYC tech scene. Learn about his extensive experience, including finding product/market fit, defining roadmap strategy, and aligning development teams to maximize output. Discover the impact of digital transformation on the financial...

Today we are joined by Ryan Harrington, a seasoned startup investor, advisor, and product manager specializing in financial technology. In this episode, Ryan shares his incredible journey from a private wealth analyst at JPMorgan to becoming a key player in the NYC tech scene. Learn about his extensive experience, including finding product/market fit, defining roadmap strategy, and aligning development teams to maximize output. Discover the impact of digital transformation on the financial...

Today we are joined by Jim Tompkins, the chairman and founder of Tompkins Ventures, and a globally recognized authority on supply chain strategy. In this episode, Jim shares his incredible journey from industrial engineering to becoming a leading figure in supply chain management. Learn about his extensive experience, including starting 15 businesses, authoring 31 books, and driving profitable growth through innovation and thought leadership. Discover the impact of e-commerce on business, the...

Today we are joined by Jim Tompkins, the chairman and founder of Tompkins Ventures, and a globally recognized authority on supply chain strategy. In this episode, Jim shares his incredible journey from industrial engineering to becoming a leading figure in supply chain management. Learn about his extensive experience, including starting 15 businesses, authoring 31 books, and driving profitable growth through innovation and thought leadership. Discover the impact of e-commerce on business, the...

Today we are joined with Ronrico “Rico” Smith, a dedicated Air Force officer and candidate for Florida State House District 67. In this episode, Rico shares his remarkable journey from serving in the military to stepping into the political arena. Learn about his background as a biomedical technician and finance officer in the Air Force Reserves, his impactful community work, and what motivated him to run for office in Florida. Key Highlights: -Rico's military service and transition to a...

Today we are joined with Ronrico “Rico” Smith, a dedicated Air Force officer and candidate for Florida State House District 67. In this episode, Rico shares his remarkable journey from serving in the military to stepping into the political arena. Learn about his background as a biomedical technician and finance officer in the Air Force Reserves, his impactful community work, and what motivated him to run for office in Florida. Key Highlights: -Rico's military service and transition to a...

Today, we sit down with Scott Larson, a financial expert with over 15 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds. Scott founded OutFin Group in 2023, which helps founders of $2-$20 million revenue businesses prepare for profitable exits. With a background in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase and private equity experience at GCP Capital Partners, Scott shares valuable insights from his impressive career. In this episode, Scott discusses his journey from New...