“A clear plan relieves you of the torment of choice”

The team at Integral Capital Advisors (“ICA”) possess a respectful sum of transactional expertise, industry knowledge, and notable connections, but the core of what they do and why they do it was founded on the belief that giving their global clients honest, practical, and smart financial and operational advice, delivered with respect and honesty, was the blueprint to greatness.

ICA Managing Partner Eric Coonrod, a 20-year veteran of the banking industry, has been fortunate to have worked for several respected investment banks during his career, but most were focused on larger transactions with less of an interest in advising smaller, founder-managed companies. It was the talented entrepreneurs at those smaller companies, who were trying to build and grow their businesses, that Eric identified with and wanted to work for – which led to the creation of ICA.

ICA serves companies and business owners operating in lower middle market, with significant expertise in health & wellness, healthcare services and food & beverage. Last year, the firm acted as the exclusive financial advisor for Expectful, a digital health and wellness platform, in its acquisition by Babylist, the leading vertical marketplace and commerce destination for all things baby, and the sale of a niche skin care brand to a global wellness platform.

Last year, in an effort to improve the investment banking sell-side process, ICA announced a partnership with leading marketing consultancy, The Grist, to launch the next evolution of Branding for Buyout, a pioneering approach to helping companies tell their story so that additional value creation can be generated prior to exit. “I’ve always said, I want to do investment banking differently. It’s not about getting the deal done at all costs, it’s about getting to know business owners, what their goals are, and helping them change their lives and the loves of their family members. The partnership with The Grist will further help entrepreneurs get the most of their exits with what I believe is the next generation sell-side process.”

Eric credits his success to consistency and discipline. He believes that one of the keys to success is small personal improvements each day – just try and be a little better than you were yesterday. He reads at least 25 books a year on leadership, discipline, transformation, and meditation. He writes in a journal every day and lists at least three things he accomplished the day before that enhanced his profession or strengthened his relationships with his partner and family. He believes strong leadership begins with happiness and health, so he meditates, exercises daily, and maintains a healthy diet, which can be challenging when he is trying to grow a business and raise two beautiful girls.

Eric's approach to communicating with his staff depends on the tasks and needs; if the work is simple, Eric emails the team. If focused meetings in person or over Zoom are necessary for collaborative and thought-provoking tasks, then he conducts those meetings, but the previously agreed ending time to each meeting is rarely extended. And, the cycle repeats: meet, discuss, plan, execute, and then meet again to review what they accomplished and the next steps. He also suggests that the best way to communicate with the team is by example. He instructs them: "Do as you tell others to do."

In relation to decision-making, Eric consults with his team to get their opinion, as well as with highly knowledgeable mentors and/or industry professionals with varied skill sets; they discuss and debate the topic at hand trying to develop the most efficient plan or strategy needed to succeed. He listens to the input of others and makes the final decision based on what he has learned. He claims that his unique ability is to take in the various options and then choose the best path forward.