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Centered Partners: Revolutionizing Advisory Services from St. Louis

In a remarkable move for the advisory landscape, Greenleaf Capital Partners, a private investment and management company based in St. Louis, has officially launched Centered Partners, a new integrated advisory firm. Centered Partners aims to reshape how business owners and middle-market companies approach their advisory needs by offering a comprehensive suite of services that span across insurance, commercial real estate, capital markets, and merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory.

Addressing a Critical Gap in the Market

Centered Partners was born out of a recognition of a significant gap in the advisory market—specifically, the lack of an integrated platform that unifies risk management, real estate strategies, capital solutions, and transaction advisory services. Unlike traditional firms that are often focused on selling products, Centered Partners emphasizes a deep understanding of industry dynamics and the interconnectedness of various business functions.

Chip Smith, the CEO of Centered Partners and Co-Founder of Greenleaf Capital Partners, articulated the firm’s foundational philosophy, stating, “We built Centered Partners to be the firm we always wished existed as operators—one that understands how insurance, real estate, capital, and strategic transactions all connect inside a real business.” This client-first approach is designed to build long-term relationships and is a reflection of the firm’s vision to support clients over decades rather than pursuing quick wins.

Extensive Industry Expertise

The firm leverages profound industry expertise across a variety of sectors, including HVAC residential services, manufacturing and distribution, portable sanitation and environmental services, construction and specialty trades, elevator commercial field services, private equity, and banking financial services. This vast array of specialties will allow them to cater to various clients with unique needs and challenges.

With additional verticals in development, Centered Partners is poised to become a leader in providing bespoke advisory services tailored specifically for the industries they serve. The firm’s commitment to staying ahead of market trends ensures that their clients benefit from current knowledge and insights.

A Commitment to Employee Ownership

What truly sets Centered Partners apart is its strong commitment to broad-based employee ownership. Each team member is vested in the long-term success of the firm and the clients they serve. This unique model not only fosters a culture of accountability and collaboration among employees but is also believed to result in superior client outcomes. According to the founders, providing every team member with a stake in the company's success cultivates a work environment that attracts top talent.

Backed by Experience and Success

Centered Partners is not just another advisory firm; it is backed by the proven success of Greenleaf Capital Partners. Co-founded in 2012 by Chip Smith and Colin Smith, GCP has a solid track record of starting, building, and exiting numerous businesses. Currently, they manage four platform companies and have a rich history of scaling service businesses into national platforms, such as ATIS, a leader in elevator inspections. This proven pedigree is an assurance to clients of their capabilities and experience in navigating complex business environments.

Paving the Way for Growth

The newly launched Centered Partners has also successfully completed an initial capital raise from its founding investor group and is set to expand through partnerships with like-minded advisory firms. Smith emphasizes a growth-oriented philosophy, stating, “We’ve capitalized the firm to grow—both organically and by partnering with aligned firms and professionals who share our long-term, client-first approach.”

The advisory industry stands to benefit significantly from Centered Partners' innovative model, which emphasizes collaboration, expertise, and client satisfaction.

About Centered Partners

Centered Partners is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and provides an integrated approach to business insurance, commercial real estate, capital markets, and M&A advisory services. Their focus on specialty industry expertise and broad-based employee ownership positions them as a unique player in the market. For more information about their offerings and philosophy, visit centeredpartners.com.

About Greenleaf Capital Partners

Greenleaf Capital Partners is a St. Louis-based private investment and management firm founded by Chip Smith and Colin Smith in 2012. With a strong commitment to operational excellence and long-term value creation, GCP continues to seek out innovative business opportunities in various sectors.