In this episode of Beyond the Deal, host Michael Wagman sits down with David Hrizak—a serial operator and acquirer who’s built his career by mastering the fundamentals: great partnerships, operational excellence, and long-term thinking. David shares how he transitioned from contractor gigs to acquiring companies, why he bets on people first, and how he structures deals for both growth and sustainability.

From creative financing to defining roles early on, David brings a no-fluff approach to building successful business partnerships. If you’re looking for insight into operator-led growth, this episode breaks down the mindset and systems required to scale without chaos.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Why great partnerships start with aligned vision and clear roles
• How David structures equity and compensation to keep operators motivated
• His approach to buying companies without being the day-to-day guy
• Lessons from failed deals—and what he looks for now before moving forward
• The value of creative structures, even in simple service businesses

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet David Hrizak and his early entrepreneurial roots

03:30 – Why long-term alignment matters more than quick wins

07:00 – Structuring ownership, equity, and incentives

10:00 – The operator-first approach to deal-making

14:00 – How to recover when deals fall apart

18:00 – Raising capital and attracting the right investors

22:00 – Making acquisitions without losing control

26:00 – Final advice on partnerships, clarity, and playing the long game

Follow the Host – Michael Wagman:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwagman/

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimble_capital_group/

🔗 Website: https://nimblecapitalgroup.com/

Follow the Guest – David Hrizak:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-j-hrizak-29634627/

Interested in learning how to raise capital and scale your business to build a lifestyle around freedom?

👉 Schedule a call today and let's find out if you're a good fit for mentorship:

https://calendly.com/mwagman/capital-coaching-exploration

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