What Really Happens When You Sell to Private Equity? Founder Stories from the Inside

Описание: Welcome back to The Power Relay with Micah Clay, where we talk all things power. From startups and private equity to safety, testing, and the people shaping how our industry grows.

In this episode, we dive into a topic that gets plenty of attention but very little honesty. What is it really like to sell your company to private equity? Not the polished press release version, but the founder’s story. The emotions, the lessons learned, and the reality of stepping from owner to portfolio partner.

Joining me are four leaders who have lived this journey firsthand:

Brian Hall, founder of BCH Electrical Safety Consulting, who turned a passion for electrical safety into one of the most trusted training organizations in the country.

Jeff Kershner and Adam Brooks of Rosel, an engineering firm known for deep expertise in electrical testing and arc flash studies, and for scaling a highly technical business without sacrificing rigor or culture.

Christopher Casey, former Army officer and growth focused operator behind Monroe Infrared, a leader in infrared thermography and condition based maintenance with deep veteran roots.

All of these companies are now part of Guidant Power, and together they walk us through what that journey has really looked like. From the first phone calls and diligence process to culture shifts and life after the ink dries.

This conversation is not about spreadsheets or deal terms. It is about what it feels like to build something from the ground up, let go of full ownership, and still stay in the fight on a bigger stage.

We cover:

What acquisition conversations actually look like in the sub $20M market

How to separate signal from noise when PE firms come calling

Protecting your team, culture, and identity through diligence and Day 1

What really changes after close and what surprisingly stays the same

The shift from working in the business to working on the business

Green flags founders should watch for when evaluating potential partners

And the honest pros and cons of living the PE life

If you are a founder, operator, or small business owner who has ever wondered whether private equity is the right next chapter, or how to spot the right partner, this episode is required listening.

This one is real, candid, and packed with lessons you will not hear on a stage or in a headline.

Let’s get into it.