Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Private Equity: Insights from the 12th Annual Private Equity Two-Step Conference
At the 12th Annual Private Equity Two-Step Conference held on May 21, 2025, in San Antonio, Jason Brown, Managing Partner of PGP Advisory, moderated a panel discussion focused on one of the most dynamic sectors in the market: specialty subcontractors. This $879 billion industry is foundational to commercial and residential construction, and its evolution offers unique opportunities and challenges for investors.
The Panel Lineup
Jason was joined by two industry experts: Jason Hartman, Principal at PGIM Private Capital and Brandon Upp, Vice President at Main Street Capital Corporation.
Together, they offered deep insights into the key value drivers, credit considerations, and operational factors shaping performance in this highly fragmented and essential sector.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
Value Drivers in the Subcontractor Space
The panelists explored how recurring revenue, specialization, geographic reach, and strong relationships with general contractors and developers significantly increase a company’s attractiveness to investors. Businesses that operate with operational discipline and have well-documented safety and compliance protocols were seen as especially valuable.Credit Considerations and Risk Assessment
Subcontractor businesses often deal with extended payment cycles and rising input costs, both of which present risks from a lender’s perspective. Hartman and Upp emphasized the importance of assessing working capital needs and balance sheet flexibility when evaluating creditworthiness in this industry.Macroeconomic Pressures and Margin Management
The discussion turned to how inflation, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions are impacting margins. Despite these challenges, many firms are adapting through automation, better cost forecasting, and diversification of suppliers and services.Exit Strategies and M&A Trends
With strong interest from private equity and strategic buyers, subcontractors are seeing increased M&A activity. The panelists pointed out that the sector’s fragmentation makes it ripe for consolidation, with regional roll-ups and platform plays becoming more common.Operational Excellence as a Value Creator
All three panelists agreed that operational excellence—including investment in people, technology, and process—continues to separate top-performing subcontractors from the rest. This focus on execution enhances scalability and long-term value.
PGP Advisory’s Perspective
Jason Brown brought his extensive transaction experience and strategic advisory insight to the conversation, guiding the panel through real-world scenarios and asking pointed questions about risk, timing, and opportunity in the lower middle market. As Managing Partner of PGP Advisory, a San Antonio-based M&A advisory firm, Jason specializes in helping business owners and investors maximize value throughout the business lifecycle.
Conclusion
The Specialty Subcontractor panel offered attendees a deep dive into a critical and often overlooked segment of the private equity market. As this $879B industry continues to grow and evolve, staying ahead of trends in valuation, credit, and operations will be essential for both investors and business owners.
Click here to view the full panel discussion.
For additional insights or to explore opportunities in the lower middle market, contact PGP Advisory.
Read MorePGP Advisory’s Business Beat – November 2024
Successful Closing of Professional Service Business in the Real Estate Industry
Closing Alert: PGP Advisory served as the exclusive sell-side advisor for a professional services business in the real estate industry who was acquired by a private equity-backed strategic in the space. Deals are more than dollars. Our client successfully executed an exit to an acquirer with similar values and views on talent and client relationships.
This transaction underscores PGP Advisory’s commitment to facilitating strategic growth and value creation through M&A deals. PGP Advisory specializes in guiding clients through the complexities of business sales and acquisitions, offering expertise in valuation, negotiation, and transaction management. The firm is dedicated to ensuring that each deal aligns with our client’s strategic objectives.
We wish both the seller and buyer success in the next phase of their journey!
Discover Global Markets: The Americas – Austin, TX
PGP Advisory and the Texas Camino Real District Export Council (TCRDEC) supported the US Commercial Service’s Discover Global Markets event in Austin, TX last month. Jason moderated a fireside chat with Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, Arun Venkataraman at the Discover Global Markets- Austin (DGM) event hosted by the U.S. Commercial Service where we explored the potential economic impact going global has on small and medium sized businesses and their communities. This event focused on building relationships with U.S. Commercial Service representatives in Central and South America as a primer for the upcoming Trade Winds trade mission to Brazil in 2025.
As companies in central and south Texas continue to consider avenues for growth, selling your products and services into markets outside the US is one of the less talked about pathways. The US is the world’s largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ~$27 trillion, but we account for only about 25% of the global GDP which exceeds $100 trillion. There is a huge opportunity for companies and communities to grow by tapping into the entire global economy; imagine finding new markets with strong demand for the products and services you already deliver! Explore new avenues for value creation because they can have a substantive impact when it’s time to exit your business.
Become Your Own Boss: A Roadmap to Success as a Business Advisor
Join us on this webinar- TODAY- where Jason will be a featured guest alongside Karl Barham at Transworld Business Advisors of Atlanta Peachtree discussing the journey to becoming a successful Business Advisor.
📅 When: November 7th, 4:00-5:30 pm (Central Time)
📍 Where: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)
🔗 Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3BNv0yV
This session will help professionals who are considering a career shift into business advisory services. Participants will discover the opportunities in areas like mergers and acquisitions (M&A), business brokerage, business valuation, exit planning, and growth strategies. Learn how you can successfully make the leap. Spots are limited— Secure your seat now!
PGP Advisory is thrilled to be featured in the TCRDEC’s Next Level Exporters digital publication. This publication is shared around the world with U.S. Embassies every month, through May 2025. Our Managing Partner, Jason Brown is the Executive Chair of the TCRDEC.
PGP Advisory Featured in Next Level Exporters Publication
The Texas Camino Real District Export Council’s primary objective is to support economic development and job creation in the Central/South Texas region through education, community outreach and trade policy advocacy related to international trade. Thanks to guidance from the U.S. Commercial Service, PGP Advisory began to intentionally engage in cross-border transaction activity. The Next Level Exporter digital publication features successful small and medium sized businesses who export products or services overseas. The publication will be distributed to U.S. Commercial Service representatives in embassies around the world creating, connecting the innovative companies and capabilities in our region with new customers globally.
Are you a central/south Texas company that currently exports overseas and are looking to enter additional markets? Reach out to learn more about how to have your profile added to the Next Level Exporter.
Click Here to View the Next Level Exporter Publication.
Active Deals
Off-Market Med Spa Transaction
UNDER CONTRACT
PGP Advisory is currently facilitating the sale of a multi-site Med Spa business.
Exclusive Opportunity: Two Profitable SA Bars with Multiple Income Streams for Sale
Price: $750,000
Location: Northeast San Antonio
Cash Flow: $383,000
MOTIVATED SELLER – REFERRAL FEE FOR PARTNERS WHO BRING BUYER
A unique opportunity to start or scale a bar portfolio with these two (2) profitable neighborhood bars located ~20 minutes apart. Both venues feature multiple income streams. A welcoming atmosphere, well-trained bartenders, and exciting entertainment keep loyal patrons coming back for more.
San Antonio Ice Cream and Retail Location
COMING SOON
Please let us know if you would like to be added to our exclusive preview group for this business. Ideal for a buyer looking for a lifestyle business, potential E-2 visa candidate, or existing owner of a d looking to expand. The ability to manufacture product on-site combined with an attractive retail location make this an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
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Why Your Business Should ALWAYS Be Ready To Sell
Whether you have exit strategies in place or you plan to operate your business for a long period of time, as an entrepreneur, you should always be ready to sell your business. Many owners of private businesses fail to recognize the importance of running their companies in a way that ensures they are fully prepared should the need to sell arise.
Based off experience helping countless business owners reposition and restructure their businesses, PGP Advisory always encourages clients to the adopt the prepared mindset of ‘always be ready to sell,’ even if they have no intention of selling. Our goal today is to demonstrate how always being ready to sell will position your company for success regardless of where you are on your business journey.
Be The Buyer
Let’s begin by placing ourselves in the position of a prospective investor. A savvy business investor will want to see a well-oiled, automated, documented, efficient, and streamlined machine when they look under the hood.
Potential buyers almost always can see through a rushed attempt to make a business seem as though it’s running at its full potential. Failing to put solid financial systems in place or to make sure key management team members are fully capable of leading when you’re not around is like waiting until the week before your child graduates from high school to research college admissions requirements. Simply put, it’s too late.
Most sellers do not consider buyer needs until a sale is imminent, which often results in them scrambling to make changes or accepting a reduced sale price.
Prepare to Sell, Even If You Don’t
Ready to sell, does not mean your business has to be on the market. It means that if a sale arose, or circumstances change, your business will immediately be more attractive to buyers. The intention here is that by being ready to transition to a new owner, putting solid systems in place, employing great staff and reducing reliance on the you as an owner, will inevitably ensure you get the best price when it is time to sell. This also means that it becomes easier to run your business and you can spend more time working on your business instead of in it. At times, forces beyond our control (e.g. COVID-19, economic recessions, difficulty accessing capital, rising rates, etc.) may affect the timing of your decision. Many sellers took advantage of the premium paid by buyers in the seller’s market for businesses over the past few years. It pays “literally” to consider exiting when there is strong demand and favorable conditions for acquiring businesses.
How to Get Started
PGP Advisory suggests beginning the process with properly setting up your business’ documentation. Are your company’s leases and agreements current, secure and available? Insider Tip – Whenever you renegotiate your lease agreement, consider asking the landlord to agree to subordinate if you (or a buyer) decide to seek bank financing. Be sure your business’ financials are in order, are your Profit and Loss Statements, Balance Sheets, and tax returns accurate, easily accessible, and showing positive trends? We also recommend giving serious thought to your company’s systems and procedures- do you have an operational playbook? Take a look at your role within your company and reduce the need for you to be involved on a daily basis as you can delegate to adequate and well-trained staff.
Takeaways
Owners who adopt a prepared mindset receive the dual benefit of a business with higher value to any external buyer, as well as enhanced profits regardless of whether a sale ever occurs. Being ready for a sale, means making your business more attractive to an outside investor and means your business is more prepared for any eventuality outside of your control that may force you into sale. These tips will help you keep your operations in excellent shape, and they will help your company be more nimble and adaptive to change with a stronger foundation to stand on.
Check out the link below to…
Explore Tax and Cost Savings Opportunity
How Can You Tell If a Potential Buyer is Really Serious?
When you’re trying to sell your business, the last thing you want is to waste time dealing with buyers who aren’t qualified and are unlikely to actually make a purchase. After all, you will not want to reveal details about your business to someone who may be looking to take advantage of the situation. Let’s take a closer look at how you can weed out legitimate buyers from those who are just kicking the can down the road.
Legitimate buyers will ask the right questions. They will have a keen interest in your industry and are seeking to gain more information. They will also be likely to ask intelligent probing questions about your customer base and the strengths and weaknesses of your business.
The best buyers will also ask logistical questions about your inventory and cash flow. It goes without saying they will want to know details about profits that are generated. Real buyers will also be concerned about wages and salaries. Their goal will be to ensure that your employees are taken care of and will be unlikely to quit.
Another area that you can expect serious buyers to ask about is capital expenditures. They will evaluate any equipment and machines involved in the business. They will also likely inquire about inventory that is unusable due to the fact that it is outdated or problematic. After all, if they are truly planning to buy the business, they would inherit any headaches.
A good rule of thumb is to imagine yourself in the shoes of the prospective buyer. What kinds of questions would you ask? If you find that a buyer is only asking the bare minimum of questions that only scratch the surface, odds are that they are not really interested. You can expect the legitimate buyer to ask about everything from environmental concerns to details about your competitors.
The best way to evaluate buyers is to turn to the experts. Your Business Broker or M&A Advisor will have years of experience in talking to buyers and will have a leg up on evaluating who is worth your time and energy.
Further, you would likely be overwhelmed with the process of handling buyer inquiries while you are still trying to effectively run and manage your business. A good brokerage professional will handle your incoming inquiries and only notify you of buyers who are suitable, qualified candidates. They will ensure that the highest standards of confidentiality are held along the way.
Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.
The post How Can You Tell If a Potential Buyer is Really Serious? appeared first on Deal Studio – Automate, accelerate and elevate your deal making.
Celebrate 2021 & Look Ahead to 2022 With PGP Advisory
Taking Your Business to the Next Level
We unlock value for owners by helping you prepare for and successfully sell your business. We guide entrepreneurs through the exit process from evaluating options through closing the transaction. PGP Advisory also advises individuals and businesses seeking to grow through acquisition. We are an M&A Advisory firm and Business Broker in San Antonio who works with clients of various sizes across a wide range of industries and geographies. We are excited to support your 2022 exit or acquisition goals!
Looking Back on 2021
Thank you for your contribution toward our success last year. Here’s a summary of what we accomplished:
Crushed Goals in 2021
- Software Consulting Firm Acquisition (Sell-Side Advisor)
- FedEx Trucking Acquisition (Buy-side Advisor)
- Kickboxing Gym Acquisition (Sell-side Broker)
- Flower Store Acquisition (Sell-side Broker)
Total Closed Deal Value: $2.3M
Increased Our Scope
- Executed a strategic partnership with Transworld Business Advisors of Atlanta Peachtree to provide brokerage services in the Georgia market.
- In negotiations with a strategic partner to support M&A Advisory work in Charlotte, NC.
- Working with a partner who assesses business cost-out opportunities. Click here to learn more.
We Remain Committed to:
- Supporting clients through successful merger and acquisition transactions.
- Educating and preparing business owners for successful exits.
- Connecting owners with the resources to increase cash flow and the value of their businesses.
Hyper-Focused on Challenges Ahead
PGP Advisory is here to help you navigate the M&A landscape in the face of obstacles, such as:
- Talent retention in a tight labor market.
- Product availability during supply chain disruptions.
- Input costs and margins in an inflationary environment.
- Debt levels, capital investments, and available deal capital amidst rising interest rates.
Your Business Journey
Regardless of where you are in your business journey (growth, maturity, exit), it’s important to focus on increasing the value of your business (i.e. growing operational cash flow). It is the lifeblood for growth, the discretionary income to support personal expenses, retirement, etc., and the driver of your business’ exit value.
Can you identify where your business lands in the life cycle chart?
More in Store for 2022
Be on the lookout for more content from us. PGP Advisory will continue to keep you informed on trends, information and challenges that impact your business. Let our team of trusted advisors help you crush your business goals this year and beyond.
Interested in learning more about the sale process? Download a free white paper here.
Schedule a consultation for your business valuation here.
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