Zonta Owens

Zonta Owens founded Midstone Service Group to acquire and operate essential service businesses and support owners through thoughtful, long-term transitions.

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Zonta comes from a family of entrepreneurs in Detroit. His grandfather owned multiple small businesses, including gas stations and a record studio, and his father built a facilities management and construction business from the ground up. Growing up around operating businesses shaped Zonta’s appreciation for the role small businesses play in supporting families, employees, and communities.

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Zonta studied Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Michigan, where he developed a practical, systems-driven approach to problem solving. He enjoys being close to operations and working directly with technicians and management teams to improve how businesses run day to day.

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He later worked at Bain & Company, advising private equity and corporate clients on diligence, post-acquisition value creation, and M&A strategy. At the same time, Zonta co-founded Pondr Group, where he helped acquire and operate digital marketing businesses. Starting with $50,000 of equity, the team grew three businesses into a platform that generated $1.3 million in equity value over five years through operational improvements and disciplined execution.

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Across his career, Zonta has focused on building strong teams and clear operating systems. He emphasizes defined roles, regular feedback, and incentive structures tied to performance and accountability.

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Zonta is most excited when working alongside operators to build durable, cash-flowing businesses that can grow responsibly over the long term.