REVIEW: Ted Clark — Buy & Build CEO (BOOK)

“This is a story about creating wealth — lots of it — by identifying opportunities for expansion in a fragmented global industry full of unique acquisition targets. Specifically, it is a story about persuading private equity investors to commit $100 million in equity for the purchase of a platform company and add-on acquisitions to build the global operating company that I envisioned,” CEO and author Ted Clark writes in his new book, titled Buy & Build CEO: Leveraging Private Equity to Build a Winning Global Business. “It’s…a story about believing in yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: https://tedclarkauthor.com/buy-build-ceo

From the start, I made sure to discuss my plan with people I respected. While some saw the logic and had confidence in it and me — especially my wife, Penny, and the Myers Capital team — quite a few thought this step was too aspirational and a risky career move. It wasn’t, though. This step was incredibly exciting, fun, and educational and brought more wealth to my family than I could ever have generated at either of my former CEO posts.” It’s this kind of clarity, coupled with Clark’s unpretentious, concise prose, that makes me feel his books are elevated from the typical standard of their literary peers. There’s never a sense of ego or showmanship with Clark.

This is often a trait other business leaders flaunt, whether intentionally or unintentionally, when they put to pen to paper — or pay someone else to. But you get the sense what you see is what is with Clark. Because of this, the business advice Buy & Build CEO doesn’t read like duplicitous, out-of-touch presentation. It’s actual breadcrumbs from which to build your own path.

“I will forever be grateful to those who pioneered the private equity fund business model that has developed into today’s industry. It would not have been possible for me to build my company, Royal, without that support and partnership. Private equity helps democratize access to the American Dream by investing capital in people and companies based on merit and results,” Clark writes humbly, in aforementioned vein. “…In my experience, the private equity business benefits not only investors and companies but also workers.

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Buy-Build-CEO-Leveraging-Business/dp/1958893005

Yes, investors gain from returns that are higher than many other asset classes they invest in. Managers and companies benefit from access to capital to build their businesses, pursue their strategies, and earn sweat equity. But workers also benefit from being employed by strong companies committed to growth, which creates new opportunities and increased employment.” He adds, “In fact, since 2013, private equity funds have been investing more than $400 billion annually into tens of thousands of American companies, according to the American Investment Council.

The three alone that invested in Royal — Quad-C Management, Arsenal Capital Partners, and American Securities — invested a combined $390 million, earning them a multiple of invested capital (MOIC) of $1.6 billion. That’s a lot of jobs and wealth — and a fascinating universe.”

Based on my own professional experiences, I couldn’t agree more.

Colin Jordan