Finding Opportunity in Unlikely Places
Kison Patel shares how growing up in a small Nebraska motel shaped his work ethic from an early age. Raised by immigrant parents who ran a roadside motel, Kison learned to handle real estate, operations, and customer service by the time he was a teenager. He opens up about his earliest hustles, like selling cigarettes at school to buy better clothes, and how those scrappy beginnings taught him to think like an entrepreneur long before he ever started a company.
How Kison Patel Navigated Failure Without a Degree
After struggling through high school, Kison describes the intense pressure immigrant children often feel to succeed academically. But without a degree, he found alternative paths to grow. First working low-wage jobs, then moving into real estate and business brokerage. Kison explains how being rejected by traditional paths pushed him toward entrepreneurship. Through that we learned he could write his own rules and focus on practical skills instead of credentials.
The Turning Point in Kison Patel’s Journey
Kison reflects on his early experiments with online businesses and the harsh reality of having 200 websites blacklisted overnight. Despite setbacks, he saw potential in using technology to scale a business that could support mergers and acquisitions. He shares how he bootstrapped his way to founding a fintech company that would eventually grow to 50 employees and nearly $10 million in revenue. Along the way, he learned to lead, sell, and adapt without formal training. Just a relentless drive to figure things out.
Building Software to Fix M&A Execution
In the second half of the conversation, Kison explains the insight that sparked the creation of his current business. He realized that most M&A tools were built for sellers, leaving buyers stuck with outdated systems that didn’t support integration. By building a lifecycle management platform for the buy side, Kison helped improve execution and accountability in multi-million dollar acquisitions. He outlines why better planning and collaboration between teams leads to stronger results after deals close.
Kison Patel’s Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Throughout the episode, Kison offers practical advice for anyone navigating entrepreneurship without traditional credentials. He emphasizes the importance of learning to endure discomfort. He notes how focusing deeply on one area, and being open to unglamorous businesses lends to strong fundamentals. For those looking to acquire small businesses, he recommends identifying overlooked sectors, learning the industry well, and building credibility with owners before trying to close a deal.
