Advertise on podcast: ETA Insider Podcast

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Sudeep Das, MBA ’04, President and CEO of Asteroid Operating Company, joins the podcast to discuss coming to entrepreneurship through acquisition a decade after business school. Two engineering degrees and several years in IT services led him to Booth, then to ten years as an investment banker in New York. Mid-career, with a family and a decade of deal-making behind him, Sudeep found ETA sitting at the intersection of finance and entrepreneurship, and has since acquired three commercial mechanical services businesses. One of the three turned out to be the wrong fit. He digs into why searchers should stop chasing headline EBITDA, how licensing a sales playbook from an industry titan opened doors with founders, the pricing philosophy that cost him customers, and why time is the real enemy.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, our 10-year anniversary series concludes with Matt Taylor, EMBA '17, founder of WFGT Holdings and CEO of a commercial landscaping business in Sun Valley, Idaho. When Matt first joined the podcast in 2016, he was a Marine Corps officer-turned-Booth student raising a traditional search fund with his best friend. The search never closed — and the partnership didn't survive it. Matt returns to talk candidly about what went wrong, the string of operating roles that followed, and why a self-funded search a decade later succeeded where the first attempt failed. He digs into stress-testing a partnership before you sign, search fund fatigue at the lower end of the market, what sellers look for beyond a résumé, and the daily "covenant" he keeps with the workforce he now employs.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we continue celebrating our 10-year podcast anniversary with Steve Groya, Managing Partner at Aldine Capital Partners, returning to the show a decade after his first conversation with us. As Aldine prepares to hold the final close on its fifth fund — a lower middle market vehicle investing both mezzanine and equity in $3–6 million EBITDA businesses — Steve reflects on what has held true over ten years and what has surprised him. From his non-traditional start in public accounting and investment banking to his own stint as an independent sponsor, Steve digs into why capital structure is everything, how over-equitizing at entry can save a deal when the unpredictable inevitably happens, and why staying disciplined in the lower middle market beats chasing the shiny object of bigger AUM. Released July 31, 2026.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we kick off our 10-year podcast anniversary with Alex Schneider, Adjunct Lecturer in ETA at Kellogg at Northwestern, co-leader of the Kellogg Zell Fellows, and Co-Founder and Partner of Clover Capital Partners. From his accidental start, buying a college shipping and storage business, to building a multifaceted investment career spanning search funds, venture, and independent sponsorship, Alex offers a decade's worth of perspective on what has changed in ETA — and what never will. Alex digs into what it truly takes to find and close a deal in today's more competitive market, how to balance credibility and conviction, and why AI is reshaping everything from the classroom to the back office of small businesses.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Sunil Grover, MBA ’99, joins the podcast to discuss his decades-long journey from investment banking and startup founder to ETA investor and advisor. Sunil is Managing Partner at Aavaran Capital, and a longtime supporter of Chicago Booth’s Polsky Center. From navigating a painful post-acquisition culture clash to identifying the red flags that separate a great deal from an expensive mistake, Sunil offers hard-won wisdom on what it truly takes to buy well, operate wisely, and build a capital-efficient business that lasts — including how AI is poised to transform the businesses searchers are buying today. Released May 29, 2026

In this episode, Grant, MBA ’23, and Julia, MBA ’20, Hensel share how they’ve built a unique partnership—both personally and professionally—through ETA.. From meeting as undergraduates to pursuing separate but complementary paths at Chicago Booth, the couple now operates across investing and operating roles, with Julia leading two acquired businesses and Grant building an investment platform. They discuss how they divide responsibilities, leverage complementary strengths, and maintain alignment while managing multiple companies and global teams. The conversation also explores acquisition strategy, the power of buying complementary businesses, and the realities of scaling across geographies. Throughout, Grant and Julia offer a candid look at what makes partnerships work—and the intentional habits that keep both the business and relationship strong.

In this episode, Mark Hoffman, MBA ’91, owner of Larson Packaging Company, sits down to explore his decades-long journey as a self-funded business owner. Mark shares the realities of moving from consulting to entrepreneurship, describes the challenges and triumphs of growing a packaging company from the ground up, and reflects on the personal rewards, identity, and wealth that come from committing to a “boring” business over the long haul. Mark’s perspective offers actionable advice for anyone considering a self-funded search or looking to build a meaningful legacy in a small business.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Matt Littell joins the podcast to discuss his early experiences managing union employees, his transition into small business acquisitions, and the importance of building trust and curiosity as an operator. Matt is Cofounder at Legacy 41 and Adjunct Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. From practical skills to deep relationship-building, Matt outlines how new and seasoned ETA leaders can thrive, offering invaluable wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners alike.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Alex Panosian, MBA ’18, joins the podcast to discuss his path from the U.S. Army to ETA and operating small businesses. Alex reflects on how military leadership shaped his approach to ownership, discipline, and decision-making. He shares firsthand experiences operating acquired businesses, including the day-to-day reality of being both an owner and an operator, the “duality” of doing manual work while making strategic decisions, and what it looks like to involve family in the journey. The conversation also touches on evaluating acquisition opportunities, lessons learned from operating across different industries, and how his perspective on business ownership has evolved since leaving the Army and completing Booth.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we are joined by Jake Bitz, Director of Client Accounting & Advisory Services and Consulting CFO at Boulay. Jake breaks down the accounting realities that searchers and newly minted CEOs face before and after acquiring a small business. He outlines the most common red flags uncovered during diligence, offers practical steps searchers can take early to avoid costly surprises, and explains how outsourced accounting models support operators as they scale. Jake also shares guidance on post-acquisition pitfalls, how CEOs should think about cash oversight, and where AI is already reshaping the accounting and finance function.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we sit down with JT Fitzgerald, CEO of Kingsway Financial Services—the only U.S. public company embracing the search fund model. JT traces his path from trading on the Chicago Board of Trade to acquiring his first company and ultimately building Kingsway Search Accelerator (KSX), a platform that partners with high-potential operators to acquire and grow small businesses. He explains how Kingsway’s permanent capital structure, tax advantages, and operator “scaffolding” differentiate it within the ETA ecosystem. JT also shares insights on “game selection,” the attributes of successful searchers, and why mentorship and fit are essential for long-term success in ETA.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, Jason Jackson shares his journey from first discovering ETA at the 2014 Booth-Kellogg Conference to navigating the highs and lows of running a search fund-backed business. He discusses the challenges of acquiring a dental support business in a competitive, PE-driven market—and the unexpected discovery of fraud just weeks into ownership. Jason reflects on how focusing on cash, communication, and culture helped him and his partner lead through crisis. He also discusses the founding of the Black Search Network, his work at Futaleufu Partners, and why systematic mentorship and CEO health are crucial for long-term success.

In this episode of the ETA Insider Podcast, we explore the unique intersection of family, career, and community within the world of ETA with Cat Littell, MBA ‘08. Cat shares her journey from launching her first venture during the 2008 financial crisis to building a career in investing, teaching, and supporting searchers alongside her husband. She discusses the challenges of balancing professional and personal life in ETA, the frameworks that helped her and Matt work together, and the lessons she now passes on to Booth students. Listeners will gain insights into navigating ETA as both a demanding profession and a way of life.

Operating in the White Space of ETA in Mexico by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Levine, MBA '19, CEO of ROBO, an Austin-based IT managed service provider. Jake shares his non-traditional path to ETA, reflecting on his journey from political campaigns to business school to acquiring and operating ROBO. He candidly discusses the challenges of search fund life, partnership dynamics post-acquisition, and the pivotal decision to pursue both organic and inorganic growth. Jake offers valuable insights for aspiring ETA operators, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, trust building, and adaptability. This episode provides a real-time window into the ups and downs of operating and scaling a lower middle market business.