After years of working in manufacturing across various industries, I had the opportunity to experience firsthand how different ownership structures impact a company’s culture, decision-making, and long-term success. Whether it was the relentless quarter-end push of public companies, the short-term focus of private equity firms limiting long-term investments, or the legacy-driven stewardship of a third-generation family business, one lesson became clear—there are no shortcuts. Building a healthy, sustainable company requires a long-term mindset and decisions that prioritize people and growth over immediate returns.  With this belief, we founded Cotton Bay as an alternative for business owners—a firm rooted in the philosophy that companies thrive when they invest in their people. As a family-owned business with no outside equity investors, we have the freedom to take a patient, long-term approach without the pressure of maximizing short-term returns or planning an exit strategy. Our goal is simple: to create lasting value by fostering a strong, people-first culture that drives sustainable success to carry companies through their next generation. 

-Andrew Olsen