Dear Friends, Family, and Partners,
As 2024 comes to a close, I reflect on a year defined by growth, challenges, and transformation. Both professionally and personally, this year has been about building on strong foundations and setting the stage for an exciting future.
Professional Highlights
This year marked a pivotal transition in my professional journey. For the first time since I became an entrepreneur in 2010, I stepped back from operating in a C-suite or hands-on leadership role in my companies. It was a profound shift, allowing me to focus on advisory roles, strategic growth, and building lasting value across my ventures.
Key Accomplishments in 2024:
- Digital Mastermind Group: Our community flourished in 2024, hosting impactful live events and expanding its peer-to-peer support network. Witnessing members collaborate on business challenges and achieve measurable growth has been incredibly rewarding.
- Mastering Agency M&A: This year’s final live cohort marked the culmination of years of teaching and mentoring entrepreneurs to scale through acquisitions. Watching participants achieve milestones, from first-time acquisitions to strategic exits, has been deeply gratifying.
- AVA Holding Company & TopRight Partners:
In 2024, my business partners and I began winding down the operations of AVA Holding Company, divesting or closing all portfolio businesses except for TopRight Partners, our largest and most successful asset. TopRight, a $3M EBIT creative strategy digital marketing agency specializing in B2G services, remains under AVA’s ownership. While we are no longer seeking new opportunities as partners, we remain focused on maximizing returns from TopRight for ourselves and our investors. Each of us has embarked on new ventures separately, but the shared goal remains to ensure TopRight’s continued success and profitability during this transition. - Board Advisor Roles:
- Veza: I supported Veza in closing its first acquisition this November, helping set a strategic foundation for future roll-ups.
- Strand: I am working with Strand to diversify its client portfolio, focusing on acquisitions that match the profit contribution of its flagship account over the next two years.
- GNGF: I advised GNGF through a sale process that culminated in the company’s acquisition by a private equity-backed strategic buyer for a higher-than-market multiple. It was a privilege to guide Mark Homer, GNGF’s exited founder, during this process. I’m continuing my advisory role with Mark as we collaborate to build out his investment portfolio, focusing on strategic acquisitions and long-term growth.
With 18 acquisitions and five divestitures completed to date, 2024 has been a year of advancing my approach to scaling agencies while broadening my reach as an advisor and partner.
Personal Milestones
On the personal front, this year has been one of joy and anticipation. Vanessa and I are thrilled to be expecting our second daughter in February, and watching Valentina step into her role as a big sister has been a highlight. Our nearly three-year-old continues to amaze us with her creativity and curiosity.
Travel Highlights of 2024:
This year, travel remained a cornerstone of our family life, offering opportunities for exploration, connection, and personal growth:
- Valencia, Spain: Spent several months immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture of the Ruzafa neighborhood, forming deep connections with the local community and embracing a slower pace of life.
- Edinburgh, Scotland: Explored the historic charm of the city, marveling at its architecture and enjoying its rich cultural heritage.
- Dublin and Longford, Ireland: Experienced the lively atmosphere of Dublin and celebrated a personal milestone in Longford, where I achieved a 3:36 personal best in the marathon—22 minutes faster than my previous record.
- Palm Desert, California: Reconnected with family in the peaceful desert setting, reflecting on the year and spending quality time with loved ones.
- Austin, Texas: Returned home to settle into a new chapter, moving into a new house and preparing for life as a family of four.
Fitness Highlights of 2024:
This year, I began an intentional journey to achieve the best fitness of my life by the time I turn forty in September 2025. Working with Luis, a trusted health and fitness expert, I’ve made significant progress toward correcting concerning blood markers and optimizing my overall health. This work has included structured training and daily nutritional goals of 200g of protein and 200g of nutrient-dense carbohydrates, fueling my performance and recovery.
In Longford, I celebrated a personal milestone, achieving a marathon time of 3:36, a 22-minute improvement over my previous best. This achievement has reinforced my commitment to both mental and physical resilience. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue pushing my limits, with a focus on sustained health and strength as I prepare for the 2025 Austin Half Marathon and other future challenges.
Looking Ahead
2025 is set to be a transformative year. On the professional front, I’ll be hosting a flagship Agency M&A event and launching my book, Scaling Your Agency with M&A: A Step-by-Step Playbook. Both will serve as tools to extend the impact of my work in the agency space.
Personally, our family’s focus will shift to domestic travels, including trips to Colorado and Mexico, balancing adventure with practicality as we welcome our new addition. Looking further ahead, our international adventures will resume in 2026, with plans to celebrate Valentina’s birthday in Melbourne and Sophia’s in Tokyo.
One philosophy I’ve embraced this year is to “be like water.” Whether in negotiations, partnerships, or parenting, this approach has taught me to balance control with adaptability.
Gratitude
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support of my family, team, and community. Vanessa, your strength and operational brilliance continue to inspire me daily. Valentina, your joy lights up our lives. To the entrepreneurs, partners, and students who trust me to guide them through M&A, thank you for being part of this journey.
As we close the chapter on 2024, I look forward to continuing this adventure together. Let’s keep building, thriving, and reaching new heights in 2025.
Onward,
Peter Lang
Founder, Digital Agency Business