A guide from 2ndGenPartners
Preparing for a first conversation
A useful introduction helps a potential partner understand the business you have built and the future you want to build.
Begin with your business
Describe what your business does, the customers it serves, and the role you play. A few clear sentences and a link to your website are a useful starting point. An introductory email does not need to be an investment presentation.
Include your sector and a broad sense of the business’s size if you are comfortable doing so. Our published criteria focus on lower middle market businesses with $2M–$10M in EBITDA. We invest in lifestyle medicine services, food distribution, and tech-enabled business services.
Explain what comes next
Succession and growth mean different things to different founders. You may be considering your own future role, the development of your management team, or the resources the business needs for its next stage.
Share the questions you are considering. Distinguish the outcomes that matter most to you from the details you are still exploring. You do not need every answer before making an introduction.
Bring your questions
- How does the partner’s sector focus relate to your business?
- What operating and transaction experience would they bring?
- How do your goals for management, employees, and customers fit into the conversation?
- What information would be useful if both sides decide to continue?
Keep the introduction simple
Start with high-level information. Avoid customer records, employee information, or confidential documents in an introductory email. A first conversation can establish what information might be needed later and how it should be shared.
Email info@2ndgenpartners.com with your introduction, business website, and a way to reach you. You can learn about Melanie Santos Grant’s experience and our values before connecting.