A new book by Peter Kang

The Holdco Guide

Name: The Holdco Guide
Author: Peter Kang
ISBN: B0G9XW6C14

How Entrepreneurs Structure and Build a Holding Company That Lasts

A practical field guide for founders and operators deciding what to do with profits, ownership, and long-term growth.

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Kindle, Paperback & Hardcover

What happens after you build a profitable business?

Most business books focus on getting to profitability. Very few help you decide what comes next. The Holdco Guide is for founders asking harder questions:

Should we reinvest or distribute cash?
When does it make sense to acquire another business?
How do we reduce risk without killing momentum?
What kind of ownership structure actually holds up over time?

This book uses the holding company lens not as an ideology, but as a decision-making framework for disciplined capital allocation and durable business design.

What this book actually does

This is not a finance textbook. It is not private-equity cosplay. The Holdco Guide translates how real holding companies operate into practical models everyday operators can use.

Understand the core holding company archetypes and how they behave across industries
Design simple, durable structures for governance, incentives, and accountability
Build capital pathways that support reinvestment, stability, and long-term growth
Use free cash flow, ROIC, ROIIC, and cash conversion as high-signal decision tools
Ring-fence operational and financial risk to protect the broader system
Evaluate opportunities across services, software, industrials, and more

Who this is for

A founder who has built a profitable business and feels "past the first act"

An agency owner exploring multi-business ownership

An operator transitioning into an investor or allocator mindset

A leader responsible for long-term capital decisions, not just quarterly results

What readers are saying

5.0 on Amazon

"The missing playbook for founders transitioning from operator to investor."
Having scaled an agency from $20M to over $200M in ARR, I've seen firsthand how a lack of clear business architecture creates a ceiling for growth.

"A smart, practical lens on what to do with profits."
The models are easy to follow, grounded in real businesses, and make capital allocation feel tangible.

"It answers the 'what's next?' question most profitable founders wrestle with."

About the author

Peter Kang is co-founder of Barrel Holdings, a holding company that acquires and grows specialized agency businesses across platforms including Shopify, Amazon, and Webflow.

A longtime agency operator and former CEO, Peter now works closely with agency leaders as an investor and advisor. He also runs AgencyHabits, a resource for agency owners focused on building durable, well-run firms.

He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife and three sons.

Build better businesses by making better capital decisions

The Holdco Guide helps founders turn scattered ventures into coherent, resilient systems built to last.

If you've ever asked, "What should we do with the profits?" — this book is for you.

Buy on Amazon Read Excerpt

A Business Strategy Game

Play Holdco Tycoon

Inspired by the book, Holdco Tycoon lets you practice capital allocation, acquire businesses, and build a holding company from scratch — all in an immersive simulation. A great way to internalize the lessons before (or after) you read.

Play Now

Holdco Tycoon — capital allocation gameplay

FAQ

What is The Holdco Guide about?

A practical field guide that helps founders and operators understand how to structure and build holding companies. It focuses on capital allocation, business architecture, and long-term growth strategies for entrepreneurs who have built profitable businesses and are deciding what to do next.

Who should read it?

Founders who have built profitable businesses, agency owners exploring multi-business ownership, operators transitioning into investor roles, and leaders responsible for long-term capital decisions beyond quarterly results.

What topics does it cover?

Holding company archetypes, governance structures, capital allocation frameworks, financial metrics (ROIC, ROIIC, free cash flow), risk management, and practical examples across services, software, and industrial businesses.

Where can I buy it?

The Holdco Guide is available on Amazon in Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover formats.

Is there a sample available?

Yes — you can read an excerpt to preview the content and writing style before purchasing.