Hi, I'm John. Welcome to Built Buy John.

This blog is an honest reflection of my journey through the world of search funds: building a fund, (hopefully) buying a business, and building something lasting.

I didn’t come from the traditional mold. I went to a state school, I don't have an MBA, and I had no deep ties to the search community when I started. Just a strong belief in the value of small businesses, and a lot of willingness to figure it out as I went.

Vertex Growth Partners, the fund my partner and I co-founded, is nearly funded. And with that, the real adventure begins.

At Vertex, our mission is simple: to acquire and grow a great industrial business. I’ve spent my career working across operations, sourcing, and supply chain leadership roles, managing thousands of suppliers at McMaster-Carr during the pandemic and working directly with industrial businesses to better understand their needs. I've seen firsthand the critical importance of small, specialized companies. Vertex was built around the belief that these businesses matter, and that with care, operational excellence, and a spirit of partnership, they can thrive in a changing world.

Each week, I'll share real reflections. There's no strict format, but you'll find a mix of:

• What’s working, and what isn’t
• Stories from the front lines of search
• Lessons I wish I'd known earlier
• Honest thoughts on the highs, the lows, and everything in between

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

If you're an aspiring searcher, an operator at heart, or just curious about what this journey really feels like, I hope you'll find something here worth reading.

Thanks for being here.

— John