Investing Beyond the Numbers: Dan Meader on Building Value at Trinity

In this inaugural episode of Insights Behind the Deal, host Paul Olschwanger sits down with Dan Meader, founder and Managing Partner of Trinity Investors. Together, they lay the foundation for the podcast and explore why now is the time to pull back the curtain on private equity and real estate investing. Dan reflects on Trinity’s growth from a kitchen table operation to a $7B firm, the human side of deal-making, and the essential balance of hard and soft skills in the investment process. He also shares memorable stories that highlight the importance of trust, transparency, and risk-adjusted returns in long-term value creation.

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[00:00:00] Introduction to the podcast’s mission and guest Dan Meader.

[00:01:07] Dan on starting Trinity Investors and why this podcast matters now.

[00:02:32] The importance of team-based investing and Trinity’s value creation approach.

[00:04:00] Why podcasting is a vital medium for explaining complex investment topics.

[00:05:58] Overview of Trinity’s investment focus: real estate and operating companies.

[00:08:06] Beyond the model—why soft skills matter as much as hard analysis.

[00:10:09] Relationship dynamics and people as the core of any successful deal.

[00:12:54] Trust, transparency, and red flags when buying businesses.

[00:15:46] The Trinity ecosystem and the variety of stakeholders involved.

[00:17:11] What listeners should take away from each episode: learning and confidence.

[00:18:58] The pediatrician analogy—knowing the right questions to ask.

[00:19:29] Storytelling as a tool for understanding complex financial concepts.

[00:21:11] Long-term investing lessons: diversification and liquidity.

[00:22:42] Dan’s nod to Dolores and closing thoughts on future episodes.

Links:

www.wendellrhoads.com

www.trinityinvestors.com