What does it take to transition from family business leadership to venture capital, M&A, and sustainable investing? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with John Ziss, President of Coral EV, to discuss his journey through entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategic business growth.

John shares how growing up in a family business shaped his leadership mindset and why stepping away to gain outside experience was a game-changer. He also dives into his work in private equity, renewable energy, and EV infrastructure, offering insights on how businesses can scale strategically while staying ahead of industry shifts.

If you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or business leader looking to navigate growth, embrace change, and leverage sustainability for long-term success, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and lessons learned from decades of experience. Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why stepping outside the family business can be the best career move
• How to balance entrepreneurship with leadership in high-growth businesses
• The role of sustainability in modern business strategy
• How personal development and mindset training fuel long-term success
• The biggest lessons learned from operating and scaling businesses
• How to find and maximize opportunities in M&A and private equity
• And much more…

John Ziss is the President of Coral EV, helping businesses and institutions simplify EV charging installations. With 20 years of sustainability experience, he specializes in finance, M&A, and strategic growth. John began his career in his family’s business before transitioning into venture capital, private equity, and renewable energy.

Resources:

Connect with John on Linkedin

Coralev.com

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

DBD Investment Bank

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