Private Equity Spotlight: Grit, Growth, and Game-Changing Deals with Micah Dawson

Written by Sean Mooney | Apr 24, 2026 10:55:18 AM

EPISODE 109

Private Equity Spotlight: Grit, Growth, and Game-Changing Deals with Micah Dawson

From a non-traditional career path to transforming businesses, Micah Dawson shares his playbook for designing business success in private equity with Sean Mooney. Packed with bold career moves, hard-earned lessons, and fresh perspectives, Micah shares how grit, leadership, and a focus on people drive real impact in the lower middle market.

Episode Highlights:

3:15 - Bold career pivots: Micah’s transition from being an architect to entering law school, business school, and eventually joining the world of private equity.
6:49 - Entering the operations world: Micah shares lessons from his time managing manufacturing plants and turning around struggling businesses in rural Indiana.
22:23 - Insights into Trivest’s approach to enhancing the founder experience, removing friction from the deal process, and providing transformative resources to portfolio companies.
26:19 - The team-building philosophy Micah credits with creating outsized value, and his focus on ensuring the right people occupy the right roles.
37:15 - Balancing ambition and fulfillment: Micah discusses personal lessons and philosophies on leadership, grit, and finding joy in the career journey.

For more information on Trivest Partners, go to https://www.trivest.com/
For more information on Micah Dawson, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/micahdawson/

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