Navigating private equity partnerships | Larry Stoddard

In this episode, Benj talks with Larry Stoddard, a distribution industry veteran who's led companies through massive growth phases at Ferguson, Bradco, and RelaDyne. Larry pulls back the curtain on what private equity partnerships actually look like in distribution: from why PE firms are drawn to distributors, to the real operational challenges of integrating multiple company cultures. He also debunks the biggest myth about private equity (spoiler: they don't come in swinging axes), explains the "house flipper" mentality that drives PE strategy, and shares how a compressed 5-year timeline creates both breakthrough moments and sleepless nights. Whether you're a family business considering your exit options or an executive navigating PE ownership, Larry offers some important truths about what really happens when financial partners get involved.Send us Fan MailConnect with Benj on LinkedInVisit Proton's website