Tag archives for eta funded search searcher search funds searching search launch self-funded search
Your significant other
The support you receive during your search will come not just from your investors, other searchers, personal friends, and advisors, but also from the "significant other" in your life, whether that be your spouse if…
Wearing the coat
Being a CEO early in your career is the most significant benefit of the search process. However, the reality of taking over the reins of an established business may not live up to your imagined…
When to stop searching
No searcher wants to be a quitter, especially after "sacrificing" so much to head down the path to become a CEO. However, it is important to assess your progress, the impact you are having on…
Life after winding down search
Winding down your search is a difficult decision to make after devoting so much time and energy in pursuit of your dream to run your own business. However, searchers do move on to leverage their…
Selecting your direct reports
Recruiting and retaining team members for the company you purchase can raise it from "good" to “great”. Getting the right people into the right positions should not be delegated to the HR department. As the…
Wearing your sales hat
With the title "owner" on your business card, you will become the most effective salesperson your company has. For me, learning this lesson took quite a while, until I discovered that being the company’s “face”…
Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partners can be very important to your business. By ignoring this opportunity to gain significant resources may limit your growth and learning. I was not naturally a partnering kind of entrepreneur and wanted control,…
Exit and/or Recapitalization
Exiting your business or buying out your investors represents the "payday" for your efforts and risk after many years as searcher/CEO. It may or not mean that you will step away from the business, but…