Kevin M. Short founded Clayton Capital Partners in 2001, seeking out the best team he could find with an eye on becoming an industry leader.
“We started small, but we were persistent, and it paid off,” Short said. “Since then, we’ve been recognized as one of the best in the United States — in 2022 Clayton Capital Partners was ranked fourth nationally among lower middle-market investment banks.”
Clayton Capital Partners (CCP) is an independent investment banking firm for the middle market. “The reasons for our success are simple: We understand our clients’ expectations and exceed them,” the company said.
Clayton Capital Partners was the exclusive presenting sponsor of the 2022 Smart Business Dealmakers Conference in March 2022, bringing together leading investors and advisors driving deal activity in the region. Short served as keynote speaker and master of ceremonies of the event in St. Louis, which connected hundreds of local dealmakers, including middle-market CEOs, top PE and VC firms, major lenders, and leading service providers. The theme of this year’s event was “The M&A Boom: How Long Can It Last?” This annual event is essential because private equity has discovered St. Louis, and the number of buyers that are calling and reaching out is growing.
“The ability to test and refine a sale process over two decades to ensure it is rigorous, stands the test of time, weathers economic conditions and unique personalities and problems that arise, has also laid a foundation for us to create a culture of leadership at Clayton Capital Partners,” Short said. “We will continue to deliver results for clients locally and nationwide — confidentially, creatively and efficiently. CCP’s business model has stood the test of time and thrived during a global pandemic.”
Short has authored multiple books outlining his 30-plus-year career bringing together sellers and buyers. He wrote the bestselling book “Sell Your Business for an Outrageous Price.” The book has received 11 awards: the Axiom Book Award bronze medal for entrepreneurship, Indie Book Award, USA Best Book Award, The Great Midwest Book Festival Award, San Francisco Book Award, National Indie Excellence Award, New England Book Festival, International Book Award, The London Book Festival Award, Book Excellence Award, and finalist at the New York Book Festival.
“Successful leaders inspire vision by encouraging their team to “sell” their expertise, not just a service – to see themselves as specialists in all that they do” he said.
