Posts written by Mason Myers
Real Estate Institute Acquired by Greybull Stewardship
Greybull Stewardship, my long-term oriented partnership of business owners investing in exceptional small businesses, announces the acquisition of Real Estate Institute and its sister company, Bookmark Education. Both companies are headquartered in Niles, IL, which neighbors Chicago. Since 1992, Real Estate Institute has been a… Continue reading
Unique Businesses Are A Force For Good
The best businesses are not just about making money. It is necessary to make money to stay in business, but it is not sufficient for the business to be worth your time. That is why the strongest businesses, in my opinion, are the ones that… Continue reading
Investment Strategy & Structure Is the #1 Thing Founders and CEO’s Should Watch In Raising Capital
To be better, one must first be different. Thus, good strategy focuses on understanding differences and creating differences. This also applies to investment firms — differences in structure often drives the strategy. Any entrepreneur or business owner considering raising capital needs to understand the structure… Continue reading
Family Business Role Models: Blumkin Family of Berkshire Hathaway
Heroes have been a topic several times in talks by Warren Buffet. “Pick your heroes carefully,” he said one time, “as it will have a big impact on who you become.” Another time he said, “Tell me who someone’s heroes are, and I will have… Continue reading
Investment Returns of Venture Capital vs Greybull Stewardship
Investment returns in venture capital as an asset class have not been good for a long time. To me, that result is somewhat predictable. Great investment returns are not going to come from anything where you have to swing for the fences with every investment… Continue reading
BCG Study: Superior Investment Returns From Family Business
Deep wisdom exists in how family businesses are managed for the long-term. In fact, the financial returns for closely held businesses outperform their peer groups across business cycles according to a recent study by the Boston Consulting Group and Sophie Mignon of Ecole Polytechnique. While… Continue reading
Should CEO’s, Business Owners, Founders Focus Inside or Outside?
Founders, CEO’s, and business owners need to be skilled at knowing how to balance many competing ideas, priorities, initiatives, and more. We explored this idea in the post the Art of Balance that listed 20 continuums that founders, CEO’s, and business owners must balance constantly. How much to focus… Continue reading
Five Forces by Michael Porter — Fundamentals Through Graphics
Five Forces of Competition The five forces of competition concept is one of the most influential in modern business. It was developed by Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School. Like all good frameworks, it takes something complicated and provides a simple, shorthand method to… Continue reading
Financial Audit Helpful for Financing, Funding, and Selling Your Business
My first financial audit was intimidating. My company, Student Advantage, was preparing for its IPO in 1999 and the audit firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, needed to audit all of the material entities that had merged with Student Advantage during the prior few years. My little start-up company,… Continue reading
Sign Up
RSS Feed