Lee Partee, CEO of Skyview Partners, joins Eunicia Peret for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and the responsibility that comes with building and acquiring businesses. With more than 27 years of experience across construction, real estate, and specialty trades, Lee shares how his faith-driven leadership philosophy and “Buffalo Culture” framework shape the way his teams operate and grow. Together, they unpack the realities behind buying and selling businesses, the dangers of poorly structured deals, and why so many entrepreneurs are misled by flashy acquisition strategies and hustle culture. This episode is a candid look at what it truly means to lead people, steward businesses responsibly, and build legacy—not just wealth.

Key Takeaways:

Leadership starts with self-leadership: Every team member must see themselves as a leader first

Culture must be lived, not just written: The Buffalo Culture code of conduct creates personal accountability across teams

Storms should be faced head-on: Like buffalo running into storms, leaders must confront challenges directly

Buying businesses requires real preparation: Education, proper advisors, and industry knowledge are essential before acquiring a company

Private equity and rushed deals can destroy legacy: Many sellers lose both value and purpose when deals prioritize speed over stewardship

A strong advisory team is critical: The right attorney, CPA, and strategic advisors protect both buyers and sellers in complex transactions

Hustle culture can be misleading: Sustainable businesses are built through responsibility, patience, and long-term thinking

Legacy should outweigh wealth: Focusing on people and impact ultimately produces lasting financial success

Failure is part of the journey: Success comes from learning through setbacks and continuing forward

Hope and gratitude shape leadership: Great leaders create environments where people feel valued, supported, and inspired

Timeline Summary:

[00:00:00] Introduction to Lee Partee and Skyview Partners

[00:02:00] What it means to think like a leader

[00:03:00] The concept and implementation of Buffalo Culture

[00:05:00] Moving from coaching basics to developing high-performing teams

[00:07:00] Why standardized culture helps scale multiple companies

[00:09:00] The reality of buying and selling businesses in the trades industry

[00:12:00] Horror stories from private equity acquisitions

[00:14:00] Why many sellers walk away with far less than expected

[00:16:00] Education and preparation before buying a company

[00:18:00] The importance of specialized attorneys and advisors

[00:20:00] Hustle culture vs. legacy-driven leadership

[00:23:00] Social media myths about entrepreneurship and wealth

[00:27:00] Strategic thinking when acquiring businesses

[00:30:00] Lee’s life-changing experience and lessons in hope

[00:32:00] The role of faith, gratitude, and perspective in leadership

[00:34:00] Final reflections on treating people how they need to be treated

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Links & Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/leepartee/