Partnering with West Michigan founders to preserve legacy and drive growth

I'm Joe Balayti and I'm actively seeking acquisition of a small business in West Michigan that I can lead, grow, and steward for the long term. I have 17 years of experience including leadership roles at Home Depot corporate and as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps – across operations, technology, supply chain, and construction. I'm ready to bring that expertise to bear as an owner-operator.

Why I'm Pursuing This

I've spent my career solving complex operational challenges and leading cross-functional teams at scale. At The Home Depot, I've led initiatives representing over $2 billion in sales opportunity, managed over 15 cross functional business and technology teams, and developed systems that directly impact thousands of employees and millions of customers.

But I've always been drawn to the entrepreneurial side. My real estate investments across seven properties and 231+ units have taught me what it means to be an owner—balancing financial discipline with long-term value creation. Now I want to apply that same mindset to operating a business where I can work directly with the team, serve customers, and build something meaningful in my community.

What I Bring to the Table

My background uniquely positions me to step into an established business and take it to the next level. I understand how to optimize operations, implement technology thoughtfully, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and maintain financial discipline while investing in growth.

As an Infantry Captain in the Marine Corps, I learned how to lead under pressure, make decisions with incomplete information, and take care of the people on my team. That foundation has served me throughout my career, and it's how I'll approach ownership—with integrity, discipline, and a genuine commitment to the people who make the business work.