I am founder and CEO of 802 Labs, a boutique acquisition firm catering to the musical instrument (M.I.) and audio equipment industry. I have spent 20 years building and leading companies that touch lives through music and audio. As an consultant, I have developed a comprehensive, data-driven, and anecdotally rich perspective on industry growth restraints.My career spans product management, corporate strategy, marketing, general management, and entrepreneurship, allowing me to navigate complex business landscapes effectively. I prioritize deeply understanding and meeting the needs of customers, ensuring that value creation matters to them. Delivering more than 75 music and audio hardware and software products, I have earned a wealth of experience in turning ideas and opportunities into profitable realities.Values• Integrity & Trust: Building lasting relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and partners based on transparency and respect.• Innovation & Impact: Striving to grow traditional markets through user-centric design and experiences.• Customer Centricity: Placing customer needs at the forefront of product and business development to create value for customers that addresses their unmet needs.• Sustainability & Responsibility: Prioritizing environmentally sound practices and long-term value.Buy Box• Industry Focus: Musical instruments (M.I.) and audio equipment• Target Segments: Accessories, microphones, effects, acoustic guitars, electronic musical instruments, and audio equipment. Strong preference for hardware but open to considering software and services. Open to component suppliers. No tech, retail, or distribution.• Strategic Fit: Preference for USA production, ideally vertically integrated (manufacturing companies). Companies should ideally have a strong customer base in niche markets.• Transaction Size: Up to $5M. No deal is too small for consideration. Open to divestitures and carve-outs.• Profitability: Companies with proven profitability or a clear path to improved profitability.• Geographic Focus: United States, preference for New England (CT, RI, MA, NH, ME, VT) and theTri-State Area (NY, NJ, CT).• Open to seller financing and earn-outs.• Preference for acquisitions where a high percentage can be financed through SBA loans, sellernotes, or other financing mechanisms, allowing capital allocation toward growth initiatives.• Additional capital sourced from my investor network and high net-worth individuals.• Open to owner-operated businesses including partial buyouts where the owner is seeking a gradual exit.