Microcap Moments

Hosted by Shore Capital Partners

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Oct 2026

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A podcast that captures the key issues, successes, challenges, and lessons learned in the microcap space through in-depth interviews with high-level leaders across Shore Capital and our portfolio companies.

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45 recent

October 19, 202624 min

Drive the Standard: Jimmy St. Louis on Building Trust

In this episode, Jimmy St. Louis, CEO of Agentis Longevity, a national brand of longevity centers, returns for the third conversation in an annual series that began in the platform's first year. Year one was about vision and year two about lessons learned; year three, in Jimmy's words, is about driving the standard in a corner of healthcare that does not yet have one. He walks through the work behind that goal, from a world-class physician advisory board and appearances before Congress and the FDA to the Longevity Quotient, a fifteen-minute assessment that distills five clinical tests and sixty-five blood markers into a single health score tied to treatment protocols in every clinic. He also reflects on why the company's vision statement hinges on the word drive rather than set, how a team doing many things at once stays focused on four big rocks, and what makes sellers want to join the platform. He closes with three questions any consumer should ask before trusting a longevity clinic. Key Takeaways: Choose the words of your vision deliberately, because a single word like drive instead of set tells the team whether the organization is finished or in constant motion Build trust before scale by giving every stakeholder, from regulators to sellers to patients, a framework they can point to for what high-quality care looks like Standardize the core and let the edges vary: run the four core services exactly the same way in every clinic, and allow adjacent modalities to differ by market and customer base Prioritize visibly, so that every person in the company can name the quarter's four big rocks even when the organization is doing many things at once Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 03:03 – What Longevity Care Looks Like 06:40 – Set vs. Drive 11:58 – A Scoreboard for Your Health 15:58 – The Blueprint for the Ideal Clinic 19:21 – The Next Three Years 21:59 – Three Questions to Ask Any Longevity Clinic Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

October 5, 202626 min

The Ride After the Sale: Marc Insul and Pat Bowe on Choosing a Partner

In this episode, Marc Insul, president and chief operating officer of Commercial Asset Preservation (CAP), and Pat Bowe, head of corporate development and strategy at Maintera, share how a founder who had already sold one company chose a partner the second time around. Marc explains how driving past vacant buildings in Cleveland during the 2008 downturn led him to found CAP, and why he and his business partner came to see that their own capital could only take the business so far. Together with TCG Services, CAP now forms Maintera, a facility services platform serving operating and vacant commercial properties across the United States and Canada. Marc and Pat talk candidly about what founders worry about when they consider private equity, why no two firms operate alike, and what trust and transparency look like after the close. Marc also reflects on the value of fresh eyes on a business he ran for years and why, for him, the best part of selling is the ride that comes after. Strategic Themes Decide what you want after the close before you weigh offers, because the role you want, whether that's stepping back or staying on to keep growing, changes which partner is right for you Treat fresh eyes as the return on giving up control, since outsiders can spot what years inside the business have made hard to see Judge a partner by its conduct and its references, and talk to founders who have already made the move, because no two firms operate alike Get comfortable with someone else in your business first, because readiness is a mindset before it is a milestone Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 02:34 – What a Founder Sees in an Empty Building 06:59 – Giving Up Control, Gaining Fresh Eyes 12:35 – The Ride After the Sale 14:40 – One Plus One Equals Three 18:16 – Are You Ready to Partner? 21:35 – Eight Suitors and What Comes Next Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

September 28, 202626 min

A Good Business Isn't Enough: Jamie Cusack on Choosing the Right Partners

In this episode, I talk with Jamie Cusack, CEO of Keystone Access Partners, Shore Capital's entrance and access control platform built on Dillard Companies and The Ritchie Group, with operations across Memphis, Tupelo, the Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Kentucky, and Indiana. Jamie came to the CEO seat in an unusual way: he watched the Shore model work from the inside as a board member of another Shore company before betting his own career on it. He walks through what a growth-based partnership actually looks like for a founder, including the conscious leadership training his teams had never had access to before, and the open conversation every owner needs to have about what role they want next. Jamie also explains why so many owners are more ready to sell than they think, even if the business still runs on pen and paper. And he is direct about what Keystone looks for in a partner: a good business isn't enough, because the people have to be good too. Key Takeaways: Decide what you actually want before the offer conversation, because the right partnership builds a role around your answer, whether that is running the day-to-day, leading M&A, or stepping back Recognize that pen and paper is not a readiness problem, because the systems, data, and technology gaps that make owners hesitate are exactly what a platform partner is built to close Choose partners for capability and character, not just geography, because a business that treats its customers poorly is a non-starter no matter how good the numbers look Learn from the operators you bring on instead of standardizing them, because a process that works in the field is a best practice to spread, not a variance to fix Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

September 2, 202630 min

Telling Stories Through Bread: 33 Years of Companion Baking

In this episode, Josh Allen, founder of Companion Baking in St. Louis, Missouri, shares how he turned a love of baking discovered in the Bay Area into a frozen artisan bread manufacturer shipping custom products across all 48 contiguous states. Guided by his grandfather's advice to listen to his customers, Josh built the business one customer and one product at a time, pivoted from wholesale to frozen manufacturing, and made helping customers tell their stories through bread the heart of what Companion does. He also reflects on why he always took the private equity calls out of curiosity, what made Shore different, and why partnering now rather than later lets him stay part of the journey as Companion builds its platform. Key Takeaways: Listen to your customers and they'll tell you how to grow. One customer, one product, one SKU at a time built a 33-year business. Say yes first and figure it out later. The willingness to solve a customer's problem tomorrow, like renting a van to deliver bread two hours away, opened the pivot to frozen that transformed the company. Sell the story, not the SKU. When customers help design their own bread, price fades and the relationship becomes sticky. Partner while you still have runway. Choosing partnership now instead of an exit later keeps a founder part of the next chapter, with a board, new leaders, and resources a small business could never afford alone. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:25 – From the Bay Area Back to St. Louis 08:45 – One Customer, One Product at a Time 12:18 – Telling Stories Through Bread 17:16 – Why Partner, and Why Shore 24:43 – Building the Platform Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

August 20, 202630 min

The Network Effect: Building H2O Care Partners

In this episode, Keith Caldwell, CEO of H2O Care Partners, and Sarah Longstreet, the company's Chief Marketing Officer, share the story of building a national water treatment platform. It began in 2021 when Keith met Mark St. Hilaire, founder of H2O Care in Massachusetts, and saw an opportunity to combine doing good with the growth potential of a fragmented, family-run industry. Today the platform spans more than thirty brands across nearly twenty states, supported by a Boston-based resource team of over forty across marketing, finance, hiring, technology, and operations. Keith and Sarah reflect on the network effect that emerges when great local businesses come together, how each new partner brings superpowers that get shared across the platform, and why preserving local brands, community ties, and long-tenured teams is central to how they scale. They also discuss what makes the right partner, from founders approaching retirement to those just getting started, and what's next as the platform continues to grow. Key Takeaways: Great partnerships start with people. Keeping the local name, the team, and the reputation intact is what makes strong family businesses open to joining a platform. The network effect is real. Every new partner brings a superpower that can be captured in playbooks and shared so the whole platform gets better. Scaling doesn't have to cost you culture. Centralize what lifts everyone, like marketing, finance, and technology, and keep brands, community ties, and daily decisions local. The right partner comes down to mindset: teams and customers first, a strong reputation in the industry, and a genuine desire to grow. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:57 – The Origin of H2O Care Partners 07:54 – The Network Effect 11:04 – Scaling Culture, Not Just Operations 14:16 – Finding the Right Partners 18:01 – Driving Organic Growth 25:44 – What's Next Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

June 17, 202627 min

Building Trust at Scale: Joe Rice and the CXponent Story

In this episode, Joe Rice, CEO of CXponent, shares how watching his father run a business sparked a lifelong pull toward entrepreneurship and building something of his own. He describes how CXponent cuts through the overwhelming noise of technology vendors and AI tools to help mid-market companies make better decisions, and why trust, not technology, remains the foundation of every client relationship. Joe reflects on his first company, what he learned from that exit, and what drew him back to build again. He talks candidly about what founders should weigh before joining a platform, the importance of readiness and timing, and why Shore's focus on stacking talent and investing in organic growth made it the right fit. Throughout the conversation, Joe makes clear that even in a market being reshaped by AI, the work still comes down to people, presence, and being a partner clients can count on. Key Takeaways: The technology landscape has never been more crowded. The advisors who win are the ones who cut through the noise and bring clients certainty, not just options. You cannot fake trust. Building the kind of client relationships that lead to board-level work takes time, expertise, and a willingness to get into the details. Joining a platform is not an exit. It is a choice to go further, faster, with peers who are still building. Once you get a taste of creating opportunity and space for other people, you are probably forever addicted. The best founders are not looking for a way out. They are looking for a way to keep going. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 10:05 – Joe's Origin Story 11:28 – Building CXponent with Shore 14:29 – Founder Readiness and Timing 19:40 – What's Ahead for CXponent Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

May 14, 202629 min

From Bulldog to Skycrest Roof: Ryan Burke on Founding, Growing, and Partnering

In this episode, Ryan Burke reflects on his journey from selling roofs in Colorado Springs to founding Bulldog Roofing at 23 and partnering with Shore Capital to help build Skycrest Roof. He shares how frustration with bad actors in the industry and a belief that customers and employees deserved better pushed him to take the leap and start the business out of his living room. Ryan discusses the rapid growth that followed, the chaos that came with it, and the hard lessons of moving from hustle to structure as the business scaled to sixty people and $30M in revenue. He talks candidly about his initial fears around private equity, why protecting his team of family and friends was his top priority, and how meeting the people at Shore shifted his perspective on partnership. Ryan highlights the importance of readiness, the value of building real processes and resilience into a business, and what Skycrest is looking for in the next generation of founders as it continues to grow. Key Takeaways: Frustration with bad actors and a belief that customers and employees deserve better can become the foundation for building a business with real integrity and lasting culture. Moving from hustle to structure is the hard but necessary work of scaling, where documented processes, defined roles, and clear procedures turn chaos into resilience. Readiness to partner is not just about age or financial outcomes, but about understanding what you want, knowing your team, and finding a buyer who treats your people and your legacy with care. The right partnership brings creativity to the deal, expertise to the table, and a shared commitment to growing the business without losing the culture and people that built it. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 02:51 – Founding Bulldog Roofing 05:49 – From Hustle to Structure 08:39 – Readiness and Finding Shore 17:40 – Evolving as a Leader 21:14 – Building Skycrest Roof Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

March 4, 202630 min

Doubling Down on Growth: The Freestone Insurance Story

In this episode, Ben Hayes, Nick Baxter, and Austin Bockwinkel share how Freestone Insurance Group is building a nationally recognized insurance platform rooted in relationships and entrepreneurial drive. Ben reflects on his journey from professional golf to founding a full-service brokerage, and how an unplanned conversation with Shore Capital opened his eyes to what Freestone could become. The team discusses why they chose partnership over exit, how investing in talent and technology transformed their business, and what they look for in agency owners ready to join the platform. They talk about preserving the brands and cultures entrepreneurs have built, why the most exciting time to join is at the beginning, and how insurance remains a people-first industry where Freestone's future will be defined by the partners who choose to be part of the story. Key Takeaways: Entrepreneurial drive and trusted relationships form the foundation of durable growth in a people-first insurance industry. Investing early in specialized expertise and operational infrastructure frees leaders to move from working in the business to building the business. Choosing partnership over exit unlocks talent, technology, and strategic resources that accelerate scale without sacrificing culture or control. The most compelling platforms preserve brand, legacy, and entrepreneurial identity while aligning incentives to create long-term shared value. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 03:49 - A People-First Business 06:10 - Investing in Talent and Infrastructure 09:46 - Partnership Over Exit 18:28 - Preserving Legacy and Driving Growth Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

December 17, 202531 min

Building the Future of Clinical Research with PhaseWell | Carsten Bick

In this episode, Carsten Bick shares his path from building healthcare services businesses to leading PhaseWell Research. He reflects on what drew him to clinical research, the opportunity to expand patient and physician access in a fragmented industry, and why people remain central to creating a successful platform. Carsten discusses scaling clinical trials through thoughtful partnerships, why culture and trust matter as much as process and technology, and how Shore Capital’s people-first approach aligned with his vision for long-term growth. He underscores the responsibility of building alongside experienced founders, staying close to patients, and letting purpose guide PhaseWell’s strategy and leadership. Key Takeaways: People-first leadership comes first, shaping how teams are built, decisions are made, and care is delivered throughout the organization. Expanding access to clinical research requires engaging more physicians and patients in a highly fragmented industry. Trust, culture, and experienced partnerships enable growth while preserving quality, integrity, and alignment with mission. Long-term success is driven by staying close to purpose, investing in people, and building platforms alongside partners who share a long-term vision. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 05:57 - Expanding Access in a Fragmented Industry 17:17 - People-First Leadership 20:27 - Building Trust Through the Right Partnerships 24:57 - Purpose, Scale, and Long-Term Growth Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.

December 4, 202548 min

Inspiring the Next Generation: Jordan Baltimore’s Vision for RISE

In this episode, Jordan Baltimore reflects on his unlikely path from volunteering to rake a baseball field to founding New York Empire Baseball and leading RISE. He shares how passion, curiosity, and a belief in what young athletes deserve shaped his vision for elevating youth sports. Jordan discusses why culture, coaching, and community sit at the heart of his model, how transforming coaching from a gig into a profession changes lives, and why Shore’s commitment to scaling culture, not just business, was the deciding factor in their partnership. He highlights the power of inspiration, the responsibility of shaping young athletes’ experiences, and how staying true to purpose continues to guide every decision he makes. Key Takeaways: Passion for people, community, and the joy of the game creates the foundation for meaningful growth in youth sports. Elevating coaching from a gig to a profession strengthens culture and ensures every athlete receives consistent, inspiring development. Great experiences come from focusing on the core of youth sports, connection, learning, and life lessons, not just technology or metrics. The right partnerships are built on shared values, a commitment to culture, and a clear vision for scaling without losing what makes the work special. Inspiration thrives when leaders stay curious, invest in development, and create environments where young athletes and coaches can learn, grow, and belong. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 06:22 - Passion for Community 12:40 - Building Sustainable Coaching 21:25 - Finding the Right Partner 34:59 - The Future of RISE Listen to our podcasts at: https://www.shorecp.university/podcasts You'll also find other Microcap Moments episodes, alongside our series Everyday Heroes and Bigger. Stronger. Faster. , highlighting the people and stories that make the microcap space unique. Other ways to connect: Blog: https://www.shorecp.university/blog Shore University: https://www.shorecp.university/ Shore Capital Partners: https://www.shorecp.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shore-university This podcast is the property of Shore Capital Partners LLC. None of the content herein is investment advice, an offer of investment advisory services, or a recommendation or offer relating to any security. See the “Terms of Use” page on the Shore Capital website for other important information.