Nick Fraunfelder is the Owner and CEO of Sure Oak, a leading SEO agency helping B2B and tech brands grow through search. Since acquiring Sure Oak in 2023, he has led the agency’s expansion into AI-powered search optimization. With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, private equity, and technology, Nick co-founded Paulus Capital, which helped launch notable restaurants like Superica and The Optimist.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:00] Why Nick Fraunfelder began a self-funded search to acquire a business
- [6:52] Nick describes traditional search fund models and why he chose independence over institutional backing
- [15:16] The lessons Nick learned from early exits
- [23:58] How to manage post-acquisition client and employee attrition
- [32:23] Nick’s future vision for Sure Oak
In this episode…
Acquiring a business through a self-funded search can offer greater autonomy and alignment with personal values but also presents unique challenges. What did a former investor learn when he walked away from traditional search funds to acquire and lead a marketing agency?
Owner and CEO of Sure Oak, Nick Fraunfelder, talks about how he launched a self-funded search for a digital marketing agency. With host Todd Taskey, Nick shares the realities of sourcing and funding his acquisition, the lessons from his early career ventures, and how he shifted his leadership focus from metrics to people.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Fiscal Advocate.
Fiscal Advocate builds, integrates, and manages financial infrastructure to grow your firm.
They create metrics and models to help agencies understand their unique position in the market, making them attractive to potential buyers.
To learn more and get started, visit https://fiscaladvocate.com/contact/.
This episode is brought to you by Potomac Business Capital, where we help businesses in the lower middle market maximize their value.
By putting a unique twist on the typical banking process, we create satisfied, wealthy clients who make an impact on the world.
Over the past 15 years, we have perfected our strategies for M&A advising and exit planning to guide clients through everything — from pre-deal planning to closing.
To learn more, visit potomacbusinesscapital.com or email todd@potomacbusinesscapital.com.
