LeverUp™️ : A podcast on Private Equity and Entrepreneurship

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, focusing on driving complex business turnarounds and achieving top-tier investment returns. Whether you're a seasoned professional in private equity or an entrepreneur looking for guidance, this episode offers actionable strategies for success. To connect with John Caple, visit Hidden Harbor Capital at https://hh-cp.com/ or reach out via his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-caple-969345/

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 hope. Comment with your thoughts on Rico’s journey and vision for Florida Follow Rico Smith: Instagram @realricosmith, Twitter @realricosmith, Facebook @realricosmith Visit Rico’s campaign website: www.votericosmith.com [http://www.votericosmith.com]

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 successful personal brand on social media, particularly on Twitter, which helped her land clients and grow her business. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, women in business, and professionals looking to level up in their careers. To connect with Skylar Romines, follow her on Twitter at @SkylarRomines or find her on LinkedIn under Skylar Romines. Check out her book So She Did available on Amazon!

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 experiences in deal sourcing, business acquisitions, and overcoming challenges in B2B marketing, along with his strategies for building successful businesses. Listen to Ryne’s insights on transitioning from sports to entrepreneurship, the importance of consistent marketing, and how his baseball background shaped his private equity approach. Key topics include: * Ryne Ogren’s journey from professional baseball to digital marketing investments * How Ryne sourced and acquired three digital marketing businesses in 12 months * The importance of sales and marketing skills in small business acquisitions * The impact of B2B marketing, lead generation, and SEO on business success * Lessons from deal negotiations and client management in private equity Connect with Ryne Ogren: Follow Ryne on X at @RyneOgren and check out his website https://www.ryneogren.com/ [https://www.ryneogren.com/]

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 large financial institutions, helping them run hyper-targeted marketing campaigns and significantly improve their lead generation processes. Throughout the episode, John shares his HTHG (Hyper Target Hyper Growth) strategy, explaining how it’s helped clients increase conversions, drive revenue, and scale without adding unnecessary overhead. In addition to his marketing expertise, John also opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, from starting his first business at 16 to facing personal challenges along the way. He discusses the lessons learned from overcoming adversity and how resilience played a crucial role in shaping his success.