The Frontlines of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition

Alpine Investors Founding Partner Graham Weaver’s Personal Journey

In a keynote address at the 10th Annual Booth-Kellogg Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference, Graham Weaver of Alpine Investors dropped a few pearls of wisdom on what it takes to be an Entrepreneur through Acquisition.

Graham says at 29 years old, he found himself in a dingy Motel 6 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was 3:00 AM, and he was smack in the middle of one of the most challenging periods of his life. He had recently purchased a label printing business, not knowing that a looming recession was lurking and about to hit him hard. As the new owner, Graham faced the grim task of laying off about 25% of the workforce just to keep the company afloat. That night, he lay awake, tossing and turning and struggling with the weight of the decisions he had to make in just a few hours.

The Harsh Realities of Business

The process of laying off employees was heart-wrenching. As Graham spoke to the workers, explaining the situation and offering severance, the emotional toll was evident on everyone’s faces. The situation escalated when a terminated employee returned, visibly upset and wielding a gun. Thankfully, Graham managed to defuse the situation peacefully and without involving the police.

That day marked a significant turning point in his entrepreneurial journey. It was a stark reminder of the human impact of business decisions, and it reshaped his perspective on leadership and responsibility.

Four Key Realizations

From that challenging experience, Graham gleaned four critical insights:

1. Leadership Over Investment: Owning a business more than a financial investment; it’s about leading people whose lives depend on your decisions.
2. The Human Cost of ‘Cost Synergies’: Terms like ‘cost synergies’ mask the real human impact of business decisions. This realization made him vow never again to be part of cost synergies.
3. A Commitment to Building Over Cutting: He decided to focus on building companies and creating jobs, rather than cutting costs.
4. The Need for Better Leadership: Graham acknowledged his shortcomings as a leader and committed to improving his leadership skills.

The Essence of True Leadership

Over the years, Graham learned that leadership was about creating a positive impact on people’s lives. It’s about building an environment where employees feel valued and empowered. True leadership not only changes lives within the workplace, but also extends its influence into the broader community.

The Three Pillars of Entrepreneurial Success

Reflecting on his journey, Graham believes there are three key principles for aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. Pursue Your Passion: Engage in work that genuinely excites you. Life involves suffering regardless of your path, so choose something worth suffering for.
2. Extend Your Time Frame: Success in entrepreneurship is a long-term game. It requires patience, perseverance, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
3. Beware of ‘Not Now’: The words ‘not now’ are the kiss of death. They often mask fear and procrastination. If you have a vision or a dream, the best time to start is now.

The Power of Permission

In the end, Graham says the journey of entrepreneurship is deeply personal and requires you to give yourself permission to pursue your dreams. You have the potential to make a significant impact. Start now, and embrace the journey with all its challenges, hard work, and rewards.

You can view the full keynote on YouTube.