Private equity buying up contracting companies is a popular subject lately.
You may have seen Instagram posts and articles about entrepreneurs who’ve struck it rich by selling their businesses to mysterious private equity investors.
But, what does that actually mean?
Today, we’re going to learn what it's ACTUALLY like to sell to private equity investors, from someone who's done it.
Over the course of 30 years, Steve Wheatcroft grew his humble landscaping business called Urban Life Solutions into a 30MM behemoth that - no surprise - caught the eye of private equity.
After the deal was done in late 2019, Steve remained the CEO for another three years and helped the new ownership scale through more acquisitions to 100 MM.
And in today’s episode, he shares the unfiltered truth about what selling to private equity is really like.
The good. The bad. And the ugly.
And there is plenty of all three.
Enjoy.
To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/BSN166
Episodes
Contractor Evolution | Five Languages of Appreciation - Contractor Edition
Episode 65
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Contractor Evolution | Keeping Faith During Tragic Times: Coach Ian’s Story
Episode 63
When times get tough, tragedy strikes or things take a turn for the worst, how do you keep faith that everything will turn out ok? On August 29th, 2008 on their way to a wedding, BTA Coach Ian, his mum and his dad were T-boned by a car going 70 miles an hour. Today, he’s generously opening up about his accident, miraculous recovery and the life lessons he learned from the tragic experience.
Contractor Evolution | The Financial Secrets of $10MM Contractors
Episode 62
Anyone can tell you that you need to budget, track your overhead and do job costing. The problem is: nobody ever shows you HOW. In this webinar replay featuring Bob Gauvreau, we’re breaking down all the basics you need to take control of your business finances.
Contractor Evolution | Tersh Blissett’s Automation Pro Tips
Episode 61
If you’ve ever been stuck doing repetitive and monotonous tasks and thinking that there must be a better way, you’re right. Today, Tersh Blissett joins us on the show to talk about the five types of automations every contractor needs to save time, make more money and simplify their operations.
Contractor Evolution | Essentialism for Contractors
Episode 60
It’s 2025, and figuring out what’s really important to you in business and in life is harder than ever. Today, we’re lucky to have Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, on the show to teach us the essentialist framework for narrowing our focus, discovering our true desires, and achieving our biggest goals.
Contractor Evolution | The Private Equity Playbook: What Contractors Can Learn From Big Business
Episode 58
Have you ever wondered how the masters of big business scale up to nine-figures and beyond? Today’s guest, bestselling author and private equity expert Adam E. Coffey shares the secrets of scaling—from mindset to tactics.
Contractor Evolution | How to Be a Profit First Contractor - Shawn Van Dyke
Episode 53
The majority of construction and trades businesses net less than 5% profit a year. "Profit First for Contractors" author Shawn Van Dyke is on Contractor Evolution to teach us the cash management model designed to increase profitability and change the way you think about your business’ finances.