A private equity investor with a $300 million fund shares 3 traits he looks for in a business owner before making a deal

• The private equity industry is mostly known for taking struggling companies and flipping them.
• Permanent Equity, founded and led by Brent Beshore, is trying a different approach.
• In an interview with 21 Hats, Beshore explained what he’s looking for in a small business owner.

The private equity industry has largely had a reputation for targeting a struggling company, stripping its assets, loading it up with debt, and waltzing off with big payday a few years later leaving a hollow shell behind.

But Brent Beshore, founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, rejects that approach.

Instead, his $300 million fund looks for well-run small businesses that are interested in partnering up for the long-term – 25 years or more.