Why This Newsletter Exists
Most strategy and private-equity advice is written for either small-business entrepreneurs or large enterprise organizations.
Mid-market companies sit in a different place. They face real strategic complexity, but often without the same internal resources, scale, or advisory infrastructure as larger companies.
Mid-Market Strategy & Insights exists to share practical observations from Maven Associates’ work with mid-market companies, PE-backed businesses, operators, investors, and independent consultants.
The goal is not to publish long theory pieces. The goal is to share useful notes from the field: what Maven is seeing, where companies get stuck, how strategic decisions are being made, and what leaders can learn from real client work, consultant perspectives, and market conversations.
What You’ll Learn
Each issue is designed to be short, practical, and easy to scan.
You can expect a mix of:
Field Notes from real mid-market engagements
Client and consultant spotlights from Maven’s network
Practical observations from growth, profitability, diligence, M&A, and value creation work
Short strategy notes tied to what Mark and the Maven team are seeing in the market
Resources and examples that help leaders think more clearly about where to grow, where to focus, and what decisions deserve more attention
This is strategy writing for people making real decisions about teams, capital, growth, profitability, and enterprise value.
Who This Is For
This publication is designed for:
CEOs and operators of mid-market companies
Private equity partners and portfolio company leaders
Founder-led and family-owned businesses preparing for the next stage of growth
Board members, investors, and management teams
Former Bain, BCG, McKinsey, and other experienced consultants in Maven’s broader network
Leaders who want clear, practical thinking without enterprise-theory overload
If you make decisions that shape growth, profitability, operations, capital, or value creation, you’re in the right place.
About the Author
I’m Mark Hess, CEO of Maven Associates and a former Bain consultant.
Maven Associates is a boutique strategy consulting firm that helps mid-market and PE-backed companies with growth strategy, profit improvement, strategic planning, diligence, M&A support, and value creation.
Our work is supported by a network of experienced consultants, operators, and advisors, including former Bain, BCG, and McKinsey professionals.
I write this newsletter to share practical observations from the work Maven does with clients, investors, operators, and independent consultants across the mid-market.
Connect with me on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markjhess/
Frequency
Published monthly, with each issue designed to be read quickly but remembered long after.
Why Subscribe?
Mid-Market Strategy & Insights helps you see patterns earlier, think more clearly about strategic decisions, and stay connected to the kinds of client work, consultant perspectives, and market conversations happening across Maven’s network.
It is built for leaders operating in the mid-market, where decisions are complex, resources are limited, and practical judgment matters.
Subscribe to get the next issue delivered directly to your inbox.
