*The information contained herein is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest.*Today’s GuestToday we welcome Christen Paras who is MiddleGround Capital’s managing director of business development and investor relations. With a hands-on operational expertise, MiddleGround Capital invests in B2B companies in the industrials and specialty distribution sector that are in the lower middle markets.What You’ll LearnWhy you should take business development seriouslyHow marketing improves deal flow Brand awareness and value proposition through marketingTransparency in managing investor relationsDiversity attracts founders, investors, and employees Breakdown[00:42] Getting to know Christen Paras[02:05] Common mistake by PE firms and portfolio companies[04:56] MiddleGround Capital’s marketing & research strategy [12:52] Granting full access builds trust with LPs and business owners[21:14] MiddleGround Capital’s ESG efforts[23:48] Excellence in managing LP relationships[27:10] Notable attributes of top-performing individuals[30:09] Private equity: the good and the bad[36:20] Diversity in MiddleGround Capital’s senior leadership[38:34] Christen’s learning resourcesResourcesChristen’s LinkedInChristen’s EmailChristen’s Mobile Number: +732 207 1486 Thank you for tuning in!To get the newest Private Equity episodes, you can subscribe on iTunes or Spotify here.Lastly, if you have any feedback on the podcast or want to reach out to Alex with any questions, send an email to alex.rawlings@raw-selection.com.