Scale with purpose. Partner with confidence. Build what lasts.
Grow your business without losing what made it work in the first place.
Rick Ford helps founders scale through founder‑aligned growth capital so they can accelerate growth, protect culture, and build a legacy that endures.
As Featured In
The Growth Capital Playbook
How smart founders find the right partner, scale fast, and build what lasts
Most founders are told that growth means giving up control. The Growth Capital Playbook proves that it doesn’t have to. With experiences ranging from washing windshields in a small Texas town to leading a $3.5 billion automotive enterprise, Rick Ford demystifies growth capital and shows founders how to:
- Recognize when their business is truly ready for capital
- Identify and evaluate the right growth capital partners
- Structure founder‑first deals that protect vision and values
- Scale leadership, culture, and infrastructure—not just revenue
Get a Free Chapter
Download a complimentary chapter and see how Rick approaches readiness, partnership, and long‑term value creation.
*By submitting, you agree to receive occasional updates from Rick. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"*" indicates required fields
Rick Ford | Your Growth Capital Partner
Rick Ford is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO with over forty‑five years of experience building and scaling capital‑intensive businesses.
As founder, president, and CEO of RFJ Auto Partners, Rick grew the company into one of the largest privately held dealership groups in the United States, generating more than $3.5 billion in annual revenue, delivering a 4.8x return to investors, and culminating in a $750 million merger with Sonic Automotive.
Today, through Ford Family Investments, Rick manages a diversified portfolio across private equity, venture capital, real estate, and direct business ventures. His mission is simple: help founders understand that capital is not the enemy, but a vital strategic tool when used wisely.
Guidance for founders
at an inflection point
Growth brings complexity. Capital introduces new dynamics. The decisions you make in this stage will shape your company for decades.
Rick works with founders who are:
Considering growth capital for the first time
Evaluating private equity or strategic partners
Preparing for a partial liquidity event or future exit
Transitioning from owner‑operator to strategic leader
His advisory work focuses on readiness, alignment, and structure, helping founders ask better questions before they sign term sheets.
Growth Capital Insights
Straightforward perspectives on growth capital, founder psychology, leadership evolution, and building businesses that endure.