In this insightful episode, Nate Edgerly, CEO of Enzo Group Inc., discusses his journey from CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to a seasoned private equity investor and executive leader in the hospitality industry. Nate shares valuable insights on leadership, long-term investing, and what makes hospitality businesses thrive or fail.

Key Takeaways:

Nate’s journey from CPA to CEO, highlighting his pivotal experiences in private equity and operating roles.
Lessons learned from running a business, enhancing empathy, and effectively partnering with leadership teams.
What separates exceptional CEOs: empathy, people-focus, and creating a supportive culture.
Common private equity mistakes: prioritizing short-term gains over long-term strategic growth and cultural investment.
The decision behind Enzo Group's unique approach to raising capital—democratizing access beyond institutional investors.

Notable Mentions:

Book Recommendations:
- Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
- Warren Buffett’s investor letters
- Leadership insights by Simon Sinek, Daniel Pink, John Maxwell
- Mastery by Robert Greene
Brands Admired:
- Ladybird Taco, Original Chop Shop, Cava, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Golden Corral

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Nate Edgley
02:30 – Nate’s early career and transition to private equity
06:10 – What Nate learned from operating roles
10:00 – Qualities of exceptional CEOs
13:15 – Mistakes private equity firms make and Nate's long-term investment philosophy
17:20 – Enzo Group’s unique capital-raising strategy
21:45 – Why choose the volatile hospitality industry?
27:30 – Critical success factors for restaurant businesses
32:00 – Brands admired by Nate and reasons behind their success
38:00 – Nate's insights on executive search firms
42:00 – Influences, recommended readings, and learning resources
45:20 – How to connect with Nate Edgley

Raw Selection partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional executive talent. We focus on de-risking executive recruitment through meticulous search and selection processes, ensuring top-tier performance and long-term success.

🔗 Connect with Alex Rawlings on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrawlings/
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Investing in the hospitality industry with Nate Edgerly

The Private Equity Podcast, by Raw Selection