#57: Brent Beshore - COVID-19: Impact on Small Businesses

Brent Beshore is the Founder & CEO of Permanent Equity, a family of companies investing in family-owned companies.  Permanent Equity invests with no intention of selling and with little to no debt.  Brent published "The Messy Marketplace" in 2019 as a resource to "demystify the buyers, the process, and the inevitable emotional journey that is selling a company".  Permanent Equity has been a leader providing valuable content and resources to small businesses all over - especially in the midst of the COVID crisis.  In this episode, Brent and Chris discuss Permanent Equity's navigation through the pandemic, Brent's Safe Harbor project, 'The Small Business Toolbox', outlooks for life after COVID-19, and much more. Enjoy!  For more information on Chris Powers and Fort Capital, visit www.FortCapitalLP.com Follow Chris on Twitter! @FortWorthChris 01:04 — Can you recall the specific moment when you realized how real COVID-19 was? 02:33 — What data are you seeing that’s most alarming to you? 06:24 — How do you invest in a market like this where it’s a win-win right now? 10:48 — Are there any additional filters that you’re adding into the questions for buying a business right now? 13:30 — Can you explain what Safe Harbor is and what interesting things have come of it? 16:13 — What is the 'Small Business Toolbox' and how do you decide what to write next? 18:37 — What is the biggest challenge you’re facing today that you feel you lack wisdom on? 21:03 — If you could consult a crystal ball about the future, what would you like to know so you can change your trajectory? 23:35 — What happens when a business shuts down but needs to start back up again? 28:45 — What's your outlook on the rest of the year? 33:43 — Is there anything you want to see come out of Washington? 36:45 — What do you think is going through Warren Buffet’s head right now? 38:40 — What is your haircut going to be? Books Mentioned:  Living Life Backward by David Gibson The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy by Neil Howe and William Strauss For more on Permanent Equity: www.permanentequity.com The FORT with Chris Powers is produced by Straight Up Podcasts