Podcast
Microcap Moments
Hosted by Shore Capital Partners · EN
A podcast that captures the key issues, successes, challenges, and lessons learned in the microcap space through in-depth interviews with high-level leaders across Shore Capital and our portfolio companies.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
From Bulldog to Skycrest Roof: Ryan Burke on Founding, Growing, and Partnering
3w ago00:29:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ryan Burke reflects on his journey from selling roofs in Colorado Springs to founding Bulldog Roofing at 23 and partnering with Shore Capital to help build Skycrest Roof. He shares how frustration with bad actors in the industry and a belief that customers and employees deserved better pushed him to take the leap and start the business out of his living room. Ryan discusses the rapid growth that followed, the chaos that came with it, and the hard lessons of moving from hustle to structure as the business scaled to sixty people and $30M in revenue. He talks candidly about his initial fears around private equity, why protecting his team of family and friends was his top priority, and how meeting the people at Shore shifted his perspective on partnership. Ryan highlights the importance of readiness, the value of building real processes and resilience into a business, and what Skycrest is looking for in the next generation of founders as it continues to grow.Key Takeaways:Frustration with bad actors and a belief that customers and employees deserve better can become the foundation for building a business with real integrity and lasting culture.Moving from hustle to structure is the hard but necessary work of scaling, where documented processes, defined roles, and clear procedures turn chaos into resilience.Readiness to partner is not just about age or financial outcomes, but about understanding what you want, knowing your team, and finding a buyer who treats your people and your legacy with care.The right partnership brings creativity to the deal, expertise to the table, and a shared commitment to growing the business without losing the culture and people that built it.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction02:51 – Founding Bulldog Roofing05:49 – From Hustle to Structure08:39 – Readiness and Finding Shore17:40 – Evolving as a Leader21:14 – Building Skycrest RoofListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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AI and the Data Foundation: Ross Koenig on Why Data Matters - Bigger. Stronger. Faster.
May 600:24:18Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I follow up with Ross Koenig, Chief Data Officer at Shore Capital Partners and one of our earliest podcast guests. Ross reflects on how his role has evolved over the past three years, from leading the Data Center of Excellence supporting portfolio companies to focusing on Shore's own investment process data and cross-portfolio insights. He shares why Shore's longstanding commitment to process and documentation has become a powerful foundation in the age of AI, and how nearly 1,000 codified executive hires now enable pattern recognition that few firms can match. Ross also discusses why "garbage in, garbage out" matters more than ever, how AI is breaking down walls between executives and data, and why business owners who ignore AI risk being left behind.Key Takeaways:Build the data foundation first because AI only works as well as the process, documentation, and discipline behind itCodify what you know across people, processes, and decisions so you can spot patterns, learn from past outcomes, and make smarter choices going forwardRecognize that AI's biggest unlock is accessibility, putting information and analysis directly in the hands of executives who used to be blocked by technical wallsEngage with AI now regardless of size or industry because the cost barriers have fallen and the businesses that ignore it will quickly fall behindChapters:00:00 – Introduction01:36 – Building the Data Foundation06:36 – Codifying Knowledge at Scale12:15 – Accessibility and the Power of AI15:31 – Why Every Business Owner Should Engage with AI NowListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou’ll also find other Bigger. Stronger. Faster. episodes, alongside our Microcap Moments and Everyday Heroes series—highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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Perpetual Optimism is a Force Multiplier | Garret Dillon - Everyday Heroes
Mar 2500:20:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Garret Dillon shares his journey from the 101st Airborne Division to Director of Integrations at Agentis Longevity, and the military-forged mindset that drives his work. Through Shore Capital's Military to Operations program, Garret found a path to channel his leadership, grit, and relentless optimism into building a fast-growing healthcare company from the inside. He reflects on how the discipline of military life translates to the ambiguity of a startup, why veterans shouldn't discount their experience, and how a Colin Powell quote became his operating philosophy. The episode paints a picture of how one person's energy and mindset can shape a team's culture and a company's trajectory.Key Takeaways:Staying optimistic isn't just nice to have. It's what makes big goals possible with a small team.The skills veterans build in the military carry over to business more than they might expect.Not having a playbook is tough, but it's also the most rewarding part of building something new.Great culture doesn't happen by accident. It comes from people who show up every day with energy and purpose.Chapters:00:00 — Introduction03:00 — From the Military to Agentis07:12 — Optimism in Action10:36 — Building Culture14:08 — Advice and Motivation19:05 — What Makes Garret a HeroListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsThere you will also find our other Everyday Heroes episodes, alongside our series Microcap Moments and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, nor a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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Doubling Down on Growth: The Freestone Insurance Story
Mar 400:30:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Hayes, Nick Baxter, and Austin Bockwinkel share how Freestone Insurance Group is building a nationally recognized insurance platform rooted in relationships and entrepreneurial drive. Ben reflects on his journey from professional golf to founding a full-service brokerage, and how an unplanned conversation with Shore Capital opened his eyes to what Freestone could become. The team discusses why they chose partnership over exit, how investing in talent and technology transformed their business, and what they look for in agency owners ready to join the platform. They talk about preserving the brands and cultures entrepreneurs have built, why the most exciting time to join is at the beginning, and how insurance remains a people-first industry where Freestone's future will be defined by the partners who choose to be part of the story.Key Takeaways:Entrepreneurial drive and trusted relationships form the foundation of durable growth in a people-first insurance industry.Investing early in specialized expertise and operational infrastructure frees leaders to move from working in the business to building the business.Choosing partnership over exit unlocks talent, technology, and strategic resources that accelerate scale without sacrificing culture or control.The most compelling platforms preserve brand, legacy, and entrepreneurial identity while aligning incentives to create long-term shared value.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:49 - A People-First Business06:10 - Investing in Talent and Infrastructure09:46 - Partnership Over Exit18:28 - Preserving Legacy and Driving GrowthListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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Building the Future of Clinical Research with PhaseWell | Carsten Bick
Dec 1700:31:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Carsten Bick shares his path from building healthcare services businesses to leading PhaseWell Research. He reflects on what drew him to clinical research, the opportunity to expand patient and physician access in a fragmented industry, and why people remain central to creating a successful platform. Carsten discusses scaling clinical trials through thoughtful partnerships, why culture and trust matter as much as process and technology, and how Shore Capital’s people-first approach aligned with his vision for long-term growth. He underscores the responsibility of building alongside experienced founders, staying close to patients, and letting purpose guide PhaseWell’s strategy and leadership.Key Takeaways:People-first leadership comes first, shaping how teams are built, decisions are made, and care is delivered throughout the organization.Expanding access to clinical research requires engaging more physicians and patients in a highly fragmented industry.Trust, culture, and experienced partnerships enable growth while preserving quality, integrity, and alignment with mission.Long-term success is driven by staying close to purpose, investing in people, and building platforms alongside partners who share a long-term vision.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction05:57 - Expanding Access in a Fragmented Industry17:17 - People-First Leadership20:27 - Building Trust Through the Right Partnerships24:57 - Purpose, Scale, and Long-Term GrowthListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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Inspiring the Next Generation: Jordan Baltimore’s Vision for RISE
Dec 400:48:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jordan Baltimore reflects on his unlikely path from volunteering to rake a baseball field to founding New York Empire Baseball and leading RISE. He shares how passion, curiosity, and a belief in what young athletes deserve shaped his vision for elevating youth sports. Jordan discusses why culture, coaching, and community sit at the heart of his model, how transforming coaching from a gig into a profession changes lives, and why Shore’s commitment to scaling culture, not just business, was the deciding factor in their partnership. He highlights the power of inspiration, the responsibility of shaping young athletes’ experiences, and how staying true to purpose continues to guide every decision he makes.Key Takeaways:Passion for people, community, and the joy of the game creates the foundation for meaningful growth in youth sports.Elevating coaching from a gig to a profession strengthens culture and ensures every athlete receives consistent, inspiring development.Great experiences come from focusing on the core of youth sports, connection, learning, and life lessons, not just technology or metrics.The right partnerships are built on shared values, a commitment to culture, and a clear vision for scaling without losing what makes the work special.Inspiration thrives when leaders stay curious, invest in development, and create environments where young athletes and coaches can learn, grow, and belong.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction06:22 - Passion for Community12:40 - Building Sustainable Coaching21:25 - Finding the Right Partner34:59 - The Future of RISEListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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From Grandma’s Kitchen to Market Maker: The Story Behind SDC Nutrition
Nov 2000:29:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Devenee Schumacher shares her journey from her grandmother’s kitchen to founding and building SDC Nutrition into a leading manufacturer in the health and wellness industry. She reflects on how her love of food, curiosity for science, and commitment to quality turned a homegrown idea into a company built on integrity and innovation. Devenee discusses how honesty and persistence guided her through the challenges of scaling a new market, why investing in people and doing what’s right creates lasting impact, and how true growth comes from staying grounded in purpose and passion.Key Takeaways:Purpose and passion often begin with humble roots where love for craft and family spark lifelong curiosity and drive.Integrity and quality build trust in products, partners, and people and form the foundation of lasting success.Resilience and innovation thrive when leaders stay true to their values, adapt to change, and keep improving what they create.True fulfillment comes from doing what’s right, investing in others, and leading with honesty, purpose, and heart.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction05:16 - Humble Roots and Lifelong Curiosity07:40 - Turning Passion into a Product14:07 - Integrity and Innovation in Manufacturing22:10 - Growth, Partnership, and PurposeListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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From Family Farm to Fortune 500 | Ken Meyer
Nov 1300:29:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ken Meyer shares his journey from growing up on a family farm to leading at Whole Foods and beyond. He reflects on how hard work, humility, and a people-first mindset shaped his 24-year career and guided him through major transitions from building teams to leading Whole Foods’ sale to Amazon. Ken discusses how trust, transparency, and empowerment drive lasting culture, why great leaders learn through failure, and how success comes from focusing on purpose, staying curious, and never losing sight of what matters most.Key Takeaways:Lasting leadership begins with hard work, humility, and curiosity that keep growth grounded in purpose.Empowering people through trust, transparency, and context creates a culture where teams thrive and leaders emerge.Successful transformations happen when leaders build trust, communicate openly, and stay true to shared values.Fulfillment comes from focusing on what matters most, helping others grow, and creating impact that endures.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction03:45 - Lessons from the Farm09:30 - The Power of Trust and Empowerment15:11 - Leading Through Transformations22:44 - Purpose and FulfillmentListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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Empowering People, Driving Growth, and Leading with Grit | Tara Conger
Nov 500:30:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Tara Conger reflects on her journey from athletics to executive leadership and how the lessons of great coaches shaped her approach to business. She shares how building trust, investing in people, and leading through change helped her guide Tandem HR through growth and a successful exit. Tara also discusses what makes private equity leadership unique, the importance of balancing impact with effort, and why resilience and culture are at the heart of every great team.Key Takeaways:Lessons from the field to the boardroom show that teamwork, preparation, and accountability turn potential into lasting success.Investing in people and culture creates the foundation for growth, where engagement and purpose drive performance.Great leadership grows from trust and resilience, guiding teams with clarity and empathy through transformation and uncertainty.True impact comes from focusing energy on outcomes that matter, not just the effort behind them.Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction04:40 - Lessons from the Field to the Boardroom09:41 - Building Culture Through Clarity and Connection13:51 - Leading Through Change with Empathy and Resilience22:53 - Focusing on Impact, Not EffortListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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Caring at Scale: The PRO-spectus People-First Story
Oct 2900:33:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Amy Madden, Chief People and Culture Officer, and Suzanne Norman, Vice President of Patient Services at PRO-spectus, share how the company is evolving from a patient first culture to a people first growth strategy. They reflect on PRO’s rapid expansion, founder led roots, and the importance of staying scrappy while scaling. Amy and Suzanne discuss how investing in leadership development, performance management, and shared ownership is helping PRO grow by growing its people, and how an intentional, values driven culture remains the foundation of everything they do.Key Takeaways:Culture becomes a catalyst for growth when a patient first mission expands into a people first mindset that empowers performance and purposeIntentional connection sustains culture in a remote world, where engagement, transparency, and care keep teams aligned through rapid growthLeadership development drives scale when managers grow with intention, build consistency, and create environments where others can succeedShared ownership turns accountability into motivation, aligning personal success with the company’s mission and collective resultsChapters:00:00 - Introduction06:22 - Culture as a Catalyst for Growth11:46 - Intentional Connection in a Remote World14:02 - Leadership Development That Drives Scale22:54 - Shared Ownership and Accountability30:09 - Preserving Culture Through GrowthListen to our podcasts at:https://www.shorecp.university/podcastsYou'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster., highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique.Other ways to connect:Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blogShore University: https://www.shorecp.university/Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-universityThis podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.
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