MEET MICHAEL
Michael Oliver boasts a extensive career spanning two decades and multiple industries.
As an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, real estate developer, and coach, Michael's trajectory underscores his unyielding passion and visionary prowess.
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MEET MICHAEL
In a world where ruthless business tactics often take center stage, Michael stands out for leading with compassion and a servant's heart. Yet, like many, his journey to success hasn't been without challenges.
At just 11 years old, Michael faced tragedy when his father was senselessly killed. Raised by his devoted mother and grandmother in the tough neighborhoods of Columbus, Ohio, Michael's early life experiences would shape his character.
As a young man, Michael embraced his entrepreneurial spirit, shoveling snow in affluent neighborhoods and making custom t-shirts to earn extra money. Despite excelling in school and earning a scholarship to The Ohio State University, he chose to forego it at 18 to start his first business and support his family.
Over the next 14 years, amidst various ventures and investments, Michael launched multiple fashion brands, including a premium denim line stocked in prestigious boutiques and major retailers like Barneys New York.
Then in 2016, after being tasked with saving his grandmother's estate from foreclosure, Michael discovered his passion for real estate, which fueled his business acumen. Under his leadership, Purpose Companies completed over 100 transactions in its first two years, expanding to a team of 13 and embarking on a $23 million multifamily project.
Over the past 22 years, Michael has continued to evolve as an entrepreneur and business owner. His early hardships instilled humility and resilience, evident in his trajectory of growth and adaptation. Today, Michael aims to leverage these experiences, applying them to key industries, as he pursues his vision of becoming one of America's most successful businessmen.
PARTNERSHIPS & ACQUISITIONS
Today, I aspire to work with a founder or family who has established a resilient business. Leveraging extensive experience, strategic acumen, and a demonstrable history of success, I am channeling my focus towards partnerships and acquisitions.
As someone who has founded multiple start-ups, I am an advocate for small businesses. I understand the importance of fostering avenues for growth, wanting to amplify the distinctive qualities of your company, or finding a substantial long-term home for your business. My objective is to help business owners build upon the solid foundations already in place.
EXPERTISE & VALUE PROPOSITION
I personally understand the challenges that most small businesses face. To address these challenges, I possess a versatile skill set centered on the processes, people and outcomes necessary to drive success in collaborative partnerships and business ventures. My hands-on experience in product development, sales, and marketing, coupled with my adeptness in navigating complex negotiations and managing diverse teams, positions me as a leader capable of steering businesses towards growth and profitability. As a seasoned brand manager and creative director, I've honed my ability to cultivate compelling brand identities and innovative marketing strategies that attract audiences. With a keen eye for opportunity and a track record of delivering results, I'm prepared to leverage my expertise to create impactful partnerships and propel business endeavors forward.
PRIORITIES IN A PARTNERSHIP
I prioritize solutions that center around a win-win outcome. I firmly believe that strong partnerships are forged when both sides are committed to fairness and collaboration, aiming for mutual success. To achieve this, here is my approach
Take Care of the Team
Empowering and offering opportunities to my trusted employees and team members is a cornerstone of my approach. It's essential to me that the people who contribute to the success of any venture have a vested interest in its outcomes.
Continue Success
Preserving and enhancing the essence of what makes a company exceptional is a core belief. Instead of looking to dismantle, my strategy revolves around investing in growth by strengthening and building on what's made a company successful.
Speed & Certainty of Close
I aim to minimize distractions to your life and business, by bypassing the burdensome procedures typical of the traditional private equity due diligence. I take pride in having invested my own capital and having the ability to close challenging
transactions.
WHO IS MY IDEAL PARTNER
I am primarily interested in founder or family owned businesses located in Central Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. While maintaining an industry agnostic approach, I have a particular interest in service based businesses, manufacturing, construction, e-commerce, technology and real estate related businesses.
For acquisition opportunities, I look for businesses with a max price of $5M that can be purchased using SBA Financing, Cash, Seller Financing or a Commercial Loan.
Additionally, I am focused on established companies with the ability to grow long-term utilizing future acquisitions.
Whether it's through start-ups, acquisitions or partnerships, Michael has exhibited a passion for entrepreneurship and driving innovation in every endeavor.
"My life's purpose is to use entrepreneurship as way to provide for my family, help others and ultimately leave a legacy. Navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship has taught me so many things over the years but above all it has taught me the importance of people, passion and purpose. I am eager to leverage my experience and knowledge as a guide to help identify and pursue new opportunities, whether it's through expanding my current ventures or exploring new ventures altogether."
ENTREPRENEURIAL TIMELINE
2002
Michael launches his first startup, Phenology Clothing, a streetwear fashion brand for men and women. At only 18 years old, this experience helps Michael learn firsthand how to take a product from design to market. Using a grassroots marketing approach, Phenology quickly gains popularity among skateboarding and hip-hop enthusiasts, being sold both Direct-to-Consumer and B2B through boutiques throughout Central Ohio.
2012
Following the birth of his son, Michael recognizes a void in the children's market and partners with longtime friends to develop a boy's denim line called PrestonMiles Kids. Debuting at the Children’s Club tradeshow in Las Vegas, PrestonMiles Kids launches with huge success eventually being carried nationwide in boutiques and major retailers including Barneys New York. PMK becomes Michael's first venture to gross multiple six figures.
2013
Michael invests $50,000 to acquire and reopen a dry cleaners in Columbus, Ohio. After immediately rebranding it to Veteran’s Cleaners the company is celebrated in the local Columbus community for its effort to employ single mothers and Army Veterans.
2013
Michael ventures into the world of spirits as an active investor in St. Claire Vodka. Through his strategic marketing partnerships, Michael helps St. Claire Vodka secure placement in major retailers like Kroger and Giant Eagle as well as several upscale restaurants and sports bars such as Hyde Park Steak House and Bar Louie Downtown Columbus. Michael eventually sells his stake in St. Claire Vodka, and the company has since been rebranded to St. Royale Vodka.
2015
Michael creates his 3rd fashion brand, Gilbert & Livingston, inspired by Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Seeing the growing trend of influencer marketing, G&L partners with several social media influencers including @stellaandblaise to help promote the brand. With its launch at Children’s Club Tradeshow in New York, Gilbert & Livingston is picked up by a number of boutiques nationwide.
2016
After intervening to prevent his childhood home from being foreclosed due to taxes, Michael became its owner. He later renovated the property, transforming it into an Airbnb. Within a year, he invested in his second property for $155,000 and sold it for $325,000 after 8 months. This marked the beginning of his real estate career. Inspired by this success, Michael launched Principle Property Solutions, a service-oriented real estate company focused on assisting distressed property owners.
Today
Over the past 5 years, Michael's made further progress in real estate. He established a family of real estate companies including Principle Homes, a company focused on investing in and developing single-family properties, and Legacy Design and Build, a licensed general contracting firm in Central Ohio. Within two years, these companies expanded to a team of 13 members. Together, they completed over 100 transactions, secured significant investments from private investors, and generated revenue exceeding $3 million
Previous Ventures & Investment
Get in Touch
I value the power of relationships and love connecting with new people!
Office Address
1201 Dublin Road, suite 134
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Email Address
