Search Fund & Entrepreneurship through Acquisition Coaching, Events, and Resources

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience in the restaurant and franchise industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge to aspiring search fund entrepreneurs. As the CEO of CRU, one of the largest franchised nightlife chain in the US, and former President of Sunrise Restaurants (a division of WKS Restaurant Group), I have honed my skills in operational excellence and financial performance across multi-unit businesses. My background as a Vice President at GE Capital, where I originated loans for 30 different franchised restaurant brands, equips me with a unique perspective on financing and scaling businesses. Having coached 18 individuals, I am passionate about helping you navigate the complexities of search funds and achieve your entrepreneurial goals. Let's connect and strategize your path to success!

Chase Murdock is a long-time entrepreneur and operator who’s lived every stage of the ETA journey — from raising capital, sourcing deals, and closing acquisitions to running multiple companies under a diversified holding company model. As CEO of Decada Group, he leads a permanent holding company that acquires, grows, and stewards small businesses for the long haul. Chase and his team have diligenced more than 100 businesses, acquired five companies, and started three. Today, Decada operates a diverse collection of six businesses spanning fractional CFO and accounting, the electrical trades, luxury retail, an art school, and a membership-based business community. At Decada Group, Chase’s role centers on evaluating acquisitions, leading diligence, and advising the CEOs who run Decada’s portfolio companies. His focus is on being the slowest heartbeat in the room — helping leaders navigate the post-acquisition J-curve, identify leverage points, and build durable, successful companies. Through Durable, Chase acts as a CEO coach and advisor, working with dozens of searchers and operators building real businesses — helping them think like owners, navigate deals, and grow into capable, long-term leaders. He also sits on the boards of multiple searcher-led companies, grounding his coaching in lived experience, not theory. If you’re serious about acquiring a great company, becoming a capable operator, and using ETA to build a purposeful life — Chase can help you get there.

My first search fund bought or launched 25 companies over the course of 8 years across a variety of industries, coast to coast. The thesis was that owner-operated small businesses were undervalued and would dramatically increase in value if we put them under management so they became absentee owned. We proved that investors were willing to immediately pay double our purchase price once the company hit our portfolio. In fact, investors paid us hundreds of thousands of dollars upfront to buy companies and we retained a controlling interest in all of them. I now help other ETA entrepreneurs to do the same and get top-tier companies ready to sell at top dollar.

I'm an investor with 10 years of experience across hedge funds, growth equity and investment banking. I have more recently spent the last 2 years in the ETA world and been under LOI on 3 businesses including currently in process of closing a 9 location brick and mortar platform. I can discuss all aspects of the ETA process including sourcing, modelling, due diligence and raising money. Previously, I spent the last 10 years in investment banking (Goldman Sachs) and investing (Citadel and Echo Street) focusing on both public equities and private growth equity investments. I graduated first class honors from Queen's University and held multiple internships throughout college in finance including at Goldman Sachs in my junior summer where I received a full time offer.

Welcome to my profile! I have 5+ years of experience in ETA & consulting. I founded Pondr Group where I bought 3 digital marketing companies via self funded searches and sold 1 for a 10x return in 2 years prior to attending Harvard Business School where I have personally met 50+ people who have bought companies via traditional and self funded searches and 50+ investors in the space. I also founded a company Midstone Service Group that buys and holds essential service businesses. I can assist you in searching, due diligence and closing acquisitions With a robust background in both consulting and entrepreneurship, I am well-equipped to guide you through the intricacies of search-fund ventures. As a former Associate Consultant at Bain & Company, I honed my skills in private equity due diligence and growth strategy, which are crucial for identifying and scaling successful acquisitions. Currently, as a Co-founder of Midstone Service Group and Managing Partner at Pondr, I have firsthand experience in building and scaling businesses through strategic acquisitions. My academic journey includes an MBA from Harvard Business School, further solidifying my expertise in business strategy and operations. Let's connect to discuss how I can help you navigate your search-fund journey and achieve your entrepreneurial goals!

I started my first company at age twenty-three. I now have five companies I know a MILLION ways not to do things. Check our my kingdom at queenofwraps.com