In this episode of Partnering to Create Wealth, David Marcus speaks with Jacob Gonzalez, co-founder and Head of Debt Capital Markets at Cirrus Capital Partners.
Jacob shares his journey from Cornell to investment banking, private equity, and now building Cirrus Capital alongside his partner, Ryan Ridgeway. Together, they’ve carved out a niche working hands-on with lower-middle-market businesses to find the right lenders, prepare for diligence, and secure tailored credit solutions.
We discuss:
- The evolution of Cirrus Capital and what sets their model apart from traditional brokers and advisors
- Key diligence steps every borrower should prepare for before raising debt
- How lenders evaluate fit beyond price — and what borrowers should be looking for in return
- Trends shaping the debt markets in 2025, including hybrid structures and a resurgence in consumer packaged goods (CPG) lending
- Why lender–borrower relationships thrive on partnership, trust, and long-term alignment
Jacob also shares candid reflections on entrepreneurship, choosing the right business partner, and his vision for Cirrus Capital’s future as a merchant bank.
Please contact us to learn how we can help.In this episode of Partnering to Create Wealth, I’m joined by François de Visscher, co-founder and Executive Chairman of FODIS and one of the most respected advisors to family businesses and family offices worldwide. Over his 45-year career, François has helped families across industries and continents navigate capital, liquidity, and governance challenges while preserving wealth across generations.
We explore the opportunities and challenges families face in direct investments, how FODIS serves as an outsourced partner to family offices, and why stewardship of wealth requires both strategy and values.
Key Takeaways
- How François’ family business roots shaped his career.
- The founding of FODIS and its role as an outsourcing arm for family offices.
- Why direct investments can reinforce a family’s identity and cohesion.
- The balance between family offices and private equity — partners and competitors.
- The importance of strategy over opportunism in direct investments.
- François’ SGA framework (Stability, Growth, Agility) for building trans-generational wealth.
