Join host Michael Sonnenfeldt exploring the remarkable journey of Libby Connolly Alexander. In 1984, Tulane graduate Libby joined her father's startup. This small family venture evolved into a global giant and leader in recovery auditing for healthcare, retail, and more major industries.

How it began: Libby's father James Connolly, a former senior executive at Gimbels, recognized an untapped opportunity to help department stores recover overcharges. He started Connolly from his living room in 1979. Over the years, alongside her brother Larry Connolly and husband Robert Alexander, Libby took the reins as CEO, transforming Connolly, Inc. from $5 million to $5 billion during her tenure. It became a leader in recovery auditing. For example, Connolly, Inc. saved clients $1.1 billion in 2018-2019 alone.

Key Themes:

-Sustaining 20% annual growth for over 20 years (Warren Buffett-like returns)

-Family business: Second-generation success

-Insights on entrepreneurial risk, growth, and legacy

Libby's story underscores the power of humility and teamwork, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs. Tune in to hear how she built an industry-dominating company and the unique skills required to sustain such extraordinary success.

Watch clips:

How Connolly Achieved Warren Buffett-Like Returns With No Debt

A Real Life MBA from My Father

Valued $11 billion: Why we sold Connolly (Cotiviti)

Topics:

(0:00) Introduction: Connolly and recovery auditing

(6:38) Libby's father's career transition

(10:45) Evolution of retail from Gimbels era

(15:08) Building a sustainable business model (value proposition)

(21:00) Libby joins Connolly (1984)

(22:30) Low noise

(25:00) Giving up a million dollars

(27:21) Libby and Larry take the reins

(29:57) Second generation family business

(31:57) Culture

(34:22) PC revolution and competitive edge

(39:21) Healthcare

(46:15) Selling to Advent

(50:41) Reflections and legacy

About:

TIGER 21 is the premier peer membership organization for ultra successful entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.

Tip Jar:

Practice self care.

Links:

tiger21.com

Michael Sonnenfeldt - LinkedIn | @mwsonnenfeldt

libbyconnollyalexander.com

linkedin.com/in/libbyconnollyalexander

Book: “Figuring It Out”

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Martin Hermann is a serial entrepreneur with over 27 years of experience in the solar, clean-tech and high-tech industries. He has closed business transactions in excess of $5.3 billion. By the age of 35, Martin sold the software company he co-founded to Intel. Martin founded 8minutenergy, one of the largest independent developers of solar PV in the U.S. Join host Michael Sonnenfeldt to meet this TIGER 21 Member who is a global leader in renewable energy.

Martin is the CEO of BrightNight, one of the most promising companies helping to drive the energy transition to clean power. Its pipeline today consists of over 30 gigawatts of clean power projects. For context, that would power over 20 million buildings and represent over 10% of total renewable power in the U.S. today.

Martin has spent his career identifying fast-growing market opportunities to create significant value. He shares insights into renewable energy, including the development of hybrid power systems combining solar, wind, and battery storage to provide round-the-clock energy.

Watch clips:

From apprentice to founder: I sold to Intel

How I became a leading solar developer

How One Startup Surpassed 37 Other Intel Acquisitions

Closed 8minutenergy Thursday, Started BrightNight Friday

Topics:

(0:04) Introduction

(4:16) How Michael Sonnenfeldt and Martin met

(5:45) Leading solar developer, 8minutenergy

(10:17) Formative years in Germany

(12:00) Entrepreneurial drive

(13:00) Software startup sold to Intel

(17:40) Partnership

(23:40) 2009: next venture, solar modules

(28:29) Lessons learned at Intel

(33:00) 8minutenergy to BrightNight

(41:00) BrightNight operating scale: 30 gigawatts of clean power projects

(45:08) Mindset: peak of career? What’s next?

(48:00) Tip jar

About:

TIGER 21 is the premier peer membership organization for ultra successful entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.

Tip Jar:

Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker

Links:

tiger21.com

Michael Sonnenfeldt - LinkedIn | X: @mwsonnenfeldt

Martin Hermann - LinkedIn

BrightNight

Follow & Connect:

Podcast | YouTube | X | LinkedIn | Blog

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this podcast we explore paths to extraordinary success and what's next for those who have reached the pinnacle of accomplishment and continue to make a lasting impact in the world around them. This Season, join host Michael Sonnenfeldt, Founder and Chairman of TIGER 21, the premier peer membership organization for ultra-successful entrepreneurs, investors, and executives. Listen in on Michael's conversations with a curated group of TIGER 21 Members.

Featured guests in Season 1 include legendary venture capitalist and investor Howard Morgan, leading renewable energy entrepreneur Martin Hermann, author and distinguished payments integrity executive Elizabeth "Libby" Connolly Alexander, Voyager Space CEO and Chairman Dylan Taylor, and more.

If you have met one TIGER 21 Member, you have met one TIGER 21 Member.

Enjoy NEXT with TIGER 21 wherever you get your podcasts. Watch clips on our YouTube playlist. Learn more at tiger21.com/podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.