Middle Market Deals and how to buy, sell and raise capital from $5 to $500 million

The highlight of the ACG conference today was the panel discussion about two women owned businesses, Handi Quilter and Making Memories Wholesale, Inc., that had been purchased (80%) by Peterson Partners, a Utah-based private equity fund.

For anyone (as clueless as I) that couldn't imagine how quilting or scrapbooking could create real businesses, it was a fascinating session. 

Laurel Barrus, founded Handi Quilter, a manufacturer of quilting frames and equipment, after running a small quilting business out of her home and realizing that she needed better equipment.  She designed, contracted for its manufacture and sold the finished products--lots of them.

She decided to partner with Peterson late last year in order to step out of the role of CEO and get back to a more balanced life.  Peterson helped her find a new CEO to take the firm to the next level.

Tomorrow is the second annual ACG Capital Connections conference here in Salt Lake City.  The event is drawing private equity groups from around the country, including several who arrived today and dropped by our offices at the Thorpe Capital Group for a visit.

The following private equity groups are all expected to be at the conference tomorrow:

• Allied Capital
• Apax Partners, L.P.
• ICV Capital Partners
• Blue Point Capital Partners
• Parthenon Capital
• H.I.G. Capital, LLC
• Thompson Street Capital Partners
• Linsalata Capital Partners
• DW Health Care Partners
• Thoma Cressey Equity Partners
• Sorenson Capital
• Ridgeview Capital
• Capital for Business, Inc.
• Friend Skoler & Co.
• Lineage Capital, LLC
• TSG Consumer Partners
• Golub Capital
• Century Park Capital Partners
• Weston Presidio Capital Partners
• Industrial Growth Partners
• Inverness Capital Partners
• EOS Partners
• The Compass Group
• Outlook Capital Partners LLC
• Peterson Partners
• Summit Investment Management
• Stripes Group
• Merit Capital Partners
• Boulder Capital, LLC
• Seaport Capital
• Summit Partners
• Silkroad Resources LLC

Matt Marsh, from our office, sits on the Board of the Utah Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and has been closely involved with the organization of this event.  Thanks Matt!