About

Hi, I'm John, the voice behind Built Buy John. I love live music, traveling to new places, and I'm obsessed with pizza. I've always been more of a mathlete than an athlete, but a couple of years ago I picked up tennis. I'm not where I want to be yet, but I'm getting a little better every week — and that’s pretty much how this whole journey feels.

I'm also a co-founder of Vertex Growth Partners, a traditional search fund focused on acquiring and growing great industrial businesses. Before launching Vertex, I spent my career in operations, sourcing, and supply chain leadership at McMaster-Carr, working with thousands of suppliers and seeing firsthand how important small businesses are to American manufacturing and innovation.

Built Buy John is exactly what it sounds like: what I'm building, what I'm buying, and what I'm learning along the way.

This blog is a real-time look at the process: the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
It is not a playbook. It is a reflection and an invitation.

If you're thinking about searching, already on the path, or just curious about what this journey feels like, welcome.

Oh, and as a disclaimer: all views are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my far more reasonable partner, the other John.

Thanks for reading.

John