In this episode of The Do Diligence podcast by Sleeping Giant Capital, host Derrick McIver welcomes Rick Barnett, founder of Rep-Lite and the show’s first guest from the seller’s perspective. Rick shares his entrepreneurial journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving med-tech talent solutions firm. He dives into the story behind Rep-Lite’s name, the challenges of scaling a business, and the lessons he learned from operating in the unique space between recruiting and staffing.
You will gain insight into Rick’s mindset as he navigated the sale of his company, his motivation to grow Rep-Lite beyond his own capabilities, and his decision to partner with Sleeping Giant Capital and CEO-in-Residence Kelly Conway. The conversation also touches on themes of faith, intentional leadership, and balancing family with the demands of entrepreneurship. With authenticity and humor, Rick reflects on the emotional weight of selling a business, the importance of building a data-rich operation, and the surprising surge in growth post-sale. It's a candid, inspiring look at the diligence behind selling a company and what it takes to keep moving forward.