PODCASTS
Why We Like It: The Car Wash Industry’s Hidden Economics
The car wash industry is far larger, more sophisticated, and more structurally attractive than most people realize.
In North America alone, it generates over $15 billion in annual revenue across more than 60,000 locations. What was once a transactional, cash-based business has quietly evolved into a recurring-revenue, asset-intensive consumer infrastructure platform powered by subscriptions, density economics, and operational discipline.
In this episode of Why We Like It, Sam Tidswell-Norrish sits down with John Standley, CEO of Spotless Brands, and Matthew Schroeder, CFO of Spotless Brands, to unpack what it really takes to scale a car wash business from a handful of sites into a national platform. They go deep on unit economics, market density, infrastructure investment, team building, and why execution, not just growth, is what separates the winners from the rest.
The conversation then broadens with Eric Wulf, CEO of the International Car Wash Association, who brings a macro lens to where the industry is heading. From subscriptions and predictive maintenance to AI, automation, robotics, and the long-term shift toward B2B and fleet washing, Eric lays out how technology and data are reshaping both the operating model and the opportunity set.
Together, they explore why this sector continues to attract institutional capital, how durable returns are really built at scale, and why car wash should be viewed not as a commodity service but as a high-utilization consumer infrastructure business with long-term growth potential.
Why We Like It: Asphalt, Infrastructure, and the Hidden Engine of the Real Economy
Infrastructure is often discussed through megaprojects and headline spending. In this episode of Why We Like It, we look beneath the surface at one of the most essential, and most underestimated, parts of the U.S. economy: asphalt.
Sam is joined by Shawn Godwin, CEO, and Craig Berkey, President of Palmetto, one of the most respected paving operators in the United States. Drawing on decades of operating experience, they unpack why asphalt sits at the core of economic activity, how rising traffic volumes and heavier vehicles are accelerating wear, and why maintenance-driven demand makes this category structurally resilient.
The episode also features Amy Miller, President of the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, who brings a policy and industry-wide perspective. Amy shares how workforce constraints, funding mechanisms, and technology adoption are shaping the future of asphalt, as well as why collaboration between operators, associations, and state agencies is critical to maintaining and improving U.S. infrastructure.
Together, the conversations explore why asphalt is such a compelling lower middle market category: high fragmentation, non-discretionary demand, execution-driven margins, and long-term durability. This is an episode about the physical systems that keep the real economy moving, quietly, reliably, and at scale.
Why We Like It: The Business That Keeps Planes Flying
Inside the Future of Aviation MRO
Aviation doesn’t run on headlines or hype, it runs on maintenance, execution, and the people who keep complex systems moving every day.
In this episode of Why We Like It, we go inside the engine room of the aviation industry with three leaders who have spent their careers operating at its most demanding edges: Greg Smith (G2 Equity Partners), Leanne Caret (former CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security), and Ed Clark (former Boeing executive and longtime operator).
Why We Like It: Next Decade of Sports
How the Big 12, the Baltimore Ravens & Playfly See the Next Decade of Sports
College sports, the NFL, and the broader sports economy are entering the most disruptive decade in their history.
Media rights are being rewritten. NIL is reshaping athlete value. Conferences are realigning. Teams are becoming tech companies. And fans behave more like digital consumers than ever before.
Why We Like It: AI
AI as a Value-Creation Engine in the Lower Middle Market
Private equity’s future won’t be defined by capital; it will be defined by capability.
In the debut episode of Why We Like It, the Access Holdings podcast exploring the ideas, industries, and inflection points shaping the lower middle market, host Sam Tidswell-Norrish sits down with two of the most respected voices in artificial intelligence: Marc Porat (technology pioneer and former co-founder of General Magic) and Matt Fitzpatrick (CEO of Invisible Technologies, former Senior Partner, McKinsey QuantumBlack).
The LAB: Value Creation In Private Equity
Innovating for Enduring Value: A Conversation with Kevin McAllister
Access Founder and Managing Partner Kevin McAllister recently joined Lancor Managing Partner Scott Estill’s podcast, ‘The LAB Podcast: Value Creation in Private Equity.’
Filmed in the Access Acceleration Center’s podcast studio, Kevin and Scott discussed what it takes to drive meaningful growth through better operations and new technologies. Kevin shared how Access’ focus on data is building market-leading, modern businesses.
Innovator of the Year: Kevin McAllister, Access Holdings
Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
Dive into the transformative world of private equity in this insightful episode of the Karma School of Business Podcast, featuring Kevin McAllister, the visionary Founder and Managing Partner at Access Holdings. Honored as BluWave’s 2024 Private Equity Innovator of the Year, Kevin discusses the innovative strategies that propel Access Holdings to industry leadership.
The Business Case for Partnering with Private Equity
Pest Business Practices, PMP Industry Insiders
Dan, Donnie and Access Holding’s Josh Finifter discuss why the pest control industry is so attractive to private equity investors and the differences between selling to a strategic buyer and a PE buyer. Josh explains how PE deals may be structured and the business case for an owner to partner with a PE firm.