Little T is classified as Gifted compared to other Ivy League bound toddlers
Proud dad moment!
This morning, our son Tarantino carried the Olympic torch through his favorite small town in Tuscany. T loves the sheep’s milk pecorino (doesn’t export) and the family-run Sangiovese vineyard (he wants me to roll them up)!
He insisted on wearing his loafers. He waved to all the nonnas.
Watching a four year old (gifted) carry something that has crossed continents and generations was both grounding and perspective-shifting. This was bigger than business.
In a world that moves fast, today was a reminder to slow down and honor tradition.
Very proud of you, T!
PE Leadership & Trimming the Fat: Vimeo
I saw some people on the internet heated about Vimeo laying off most of its staff a few months after being acquired by PE private equity. Firstly, I want to applaud Vimeo for still being in existence. Fooled me! Secondly, I don’t know how many times I have to explain this to normies… This is what needs to happen for some companies to survive.
When headcount gets reduced to the near-single-digits, people act like it;s some kind of tragedy. I don’t see tragedy. I see STREAMLINING. I see MARGIN RESTORATION. I see a beautiful, efficient core product finally free from twelve layers of “community managers,” “culture leads,” and one guy whose entire job was to stock the mini fridge with kombucha.
And to the people who were let go: my heart goes out to you. Truly. But also- have you considered the trades? Incredible space right now. HVAC is printing. Electrical is recession-proof. A good plumber clears more than half the founders I meet. Wifey and I haven’t seen our electrician in six months. He winters in Gstaad.
Private equity didn’t “ruin” Vimeo. We simply asked it an adult question: What do you actually do here?
Some roles responded. Some roles… are better off exploring new opportunities in carpentry.
And that’s growth.
GTCR Acquires LiveBarn
GTCR just paid around $400 million for a company called LiveBarn, which streams youth and amateur sports from rinks and fields all over the country. FINALLY. Someone is taking youth sports seriously as an asset class.
For years, I’ve been watching parents sit in freezing ice rinks, filming their kids’ games on iPads with cracked screens and 11% battery, whisper-yelling, “shoot it, buddy”. Now we’ve institutionalized it.
LiveBarn streams thousands of youth games so parents, grandparents, divorced uncles, and regional scouts can watch Little Trantino’s second-period shift from their phones. It’s recurring revenue. It’s emotional. It’s non-discretionary. You think a parent is canceling the subscription that lets them rewatch their kid’s first goal? You’d cancel Netflix before you cancel this!
This is such a classic PE Private Equity play! We look at a humid rink in suburban Ohio and say: “There’s a platform here.”
And to the critics saying, “Wow, PE is really getting into everything now, even kids’ sports?” Yes. Because kids’ sports are PRINTING. Ice time. Travel tournaments. Custom sticks. Team photographers. Private goalie coaches with podcasts. This is not a hobby. This is an economy.
Frankly, I’m shocked it only cost $400 million.
This Week’s Interview: Barstool Sports’ Wonton Don
In Episode 008 of Due To My Role, Johnny Hilbrant sits down with Barstool Sports’ Foreign Correspondent, Wonton Don, to break down how 8 years living in China, a willingness to lean into weird ideas, and zero interest in a traditional career turned into one of the most durable roles in modern media. They unpack how Barstool actually works behind the scenes, why creative freedom only exists if you earn it, and how Donnie built multiple travel and culture franchises without chasing trends or permission. From Drop A Pin to Bald Stool, this conversation explores what it really takes to stay relevant when algorithms shift, audiences fragment, and most creators burn out.
Subscribe accordingly for substantial founders, comedians, and interesting people on the internet with decent stories and substantial exits.
Curious how you could not be part of RELPI! IYKYK https://www.relpi.org/
Due to My Role is looking for the funniest PE Stories you got. Please submit a funny anecdote as it pertains to the beautiful world of private equity. Whether your local florist was sold to FLOWERCORP and you can only buy petunias on subscription now, or if you recently helped PORTCOS train AI robots to replace the senior citizen greeters at Walmart, we want to hear from you!
