What do wrestling, hauling hay and car sales have to do with entrepreneurship? For me, it’s the foundation to adapt, outwork the competition, problem-solve and make strategic decisions that allowed Linen King, the business I founded, to enjoy unprecedented long-range growth and expansion. At the helm of Linen King, I placed priorities on sales, customer service, process improvement, facility optimization, talent development and being decisive with expansion opportunities. VALUE CREATION AND RESULTS»»» For 20 years, my team and I delivered a 20%+ CAGR via organic growth and acquisitions. »»» I have successfully navigated the private equity sale process 3 times and even repurchased my company once. I delivered a 2.5X ROIC and 27% IRR during the expected holding period. »»» We expanded from 1 to 7 facilities, grew from 17 employees to more than 700 and increased revenue from $700K to $65MM+. »»» We have retained 92% of customers due to our nurturing of relationships and our consultative approach that has saved clients more than $20M via waste reduction and utilization efficiency improvements. »»» I have launched other ventures with successful sales and integrations, including a Thrifty Car Sales Franchise and Service King, an affiliate offering complementary services to Linen King. My sales and management background in the automotive industry, the likes of which the healthcare laundry industry had never seen, helped Linen King quickly outpace regional competitors. LEADERSHIP APPROACHAs the recipient of mentorship and a thorough training program from the innovative Jim Koons, the legend behind one of the country’s leading mega-dealer groups, I value giving all of my employees advanced training and equal opportunities. It’s simple, but the non-bureaucratic culture and clear decision-making at Linen King helped attract and retain talent. Holding leadership positions in the YPO Tulsa Chapter also allowed me to mentor local businesses, some of which have also secured PE funding.