Questions & Answers

How have you leveraged Relay as a partner, during both the search and operating stages? 

Relay was the largest search investor in our search fund. Especially since we were also based in Boston for our search, they became a constant sounding board for us as we explored different industries, considered multiple deals, and embarked down various due diligence paths. Their knowledge and pattern recognition were a benefit for us.  

Do you have any advice for prospective searchers as they build their investor groups? 

Spend the time getting to know investors and make sure they get to know you. You are going to be in a long-term relationship (7+ years!), so it’s a worthwhile investment to spend the time upfront making sure it’s the right fit for both sides.   

What challenges did you face during the search that you did not anticipate? 

One of the biggest challenges of the search was how monotonous it could be at times. Coming from a dynamic, busy job right before searching, this was a big shift in the early days. 

Based on your experience, what advice would you give searchers about navigating the deal process? 

Pressure test the really tough questions over and over. Make sure you have lead investor(s), like Relay, who can be your partner in diligence. You will be biased, and I believe this is impossible to avoid, so you need to have people around the table who can push back on that for you.   

What's your favorite part about running Abound? 

I have two favorite aspects of running Abound. First, the people: I'm fortunate to lead a team of passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact. Second, it's the unpredictability and excitement that each day brings. Unlike a corporate, consulting, or finance career, you get to experience every facet of a business here, which is thrilling. 

What's an unexpected challenge you've had to overcome as an operator? What steps did you take to overcome it? 

One unexpected challenge was obtaining the leverage to scale the business. Balancing between working on the future of the company and managing day-to-day operations is a constant challenge. To address this, I hired an incredible COO to handle operational tasks, which freed up my time immensely and allowed me to focus on growth. 

What's one piece of advice you would give to a searcher who's about to assume a leadership role in their acquired company? 

Never stop being an attentive and curious leader. Listen to all stakeholders—employees, clients, suppliers, lenders, investors, and more. Their insights and feedback are crucial for the success of your business.  

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