Kelcey Lehrich

Kelcey Lehrich is an American entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of 365 Holdings, a vertically integrated holding company that acquires and operates e-commerce brands.^[1] Based in Akron, Ohio, Lehrich has built 365 Holdings from a single $1 million acquisition in 2017 to a portfolio of six consumer product brands generating eight figures in annual revenue.^[3]

The company focuses on acquiring e-commerce brands with $1 million to $10 million in revenue, providing what Lehrich describes as a "forever home" for consumer product companies.^[1] 365 Holdings has achieved 100% year-over-year growth for four consecutive years through its shared services model covering digital marketing, customer service, supply chain, and fulfillment.^[4]

Lehrich's entrepreneurial journey began in college after reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and "Multiple Streams of Income," leading him to start multiple ventures before pivoting entirely to e-commerce acquisitions.^[2] He co-hosts HoldCoConf, an annual conference for holding company operators and micro private equity entrepreneurs.^[5]

Lehrich attended Cleveland State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance between 2007 and 2008.^[8] His entrepreneurial awakening came during his sophomore year after reading Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and "Multiple Streams of Income."^[2]

"I've been an entrepreneur my whole life," Lehrich reflected. "So I didn't go to a name brand school, never worked at a big company, literally just had been working for myself since going through college."^[2] This early exposure to entrepreneurial thinking shaped his approach to building multiple revenue streams and acquiring businesses rather than pursuing traditional employment.

Early Ventures and Business Brokerage (2009–2017)

Lehrich began his entrepreneurial career in 2009 by founding Cordeva, an M&A advisory and franchise consulting firm that provided business brokerage services and helped entrepreneurs with acquisitions and franchise opportunities.^[4] During the same period, he became the franchise owner and executive director of AmSpirit Cleveland, a national networking organization focused on qualified referral exchange.^[8]

In 2012, Lehrich co-founded eCollect, LLC, a business services company that operated alongside his other entrepreneurial ventures.^[8] These early experiences in business brokerage and consulting provided him with the foundation for understanding acquisitions and business operations that would later prove crucial in building 365 Holdings.

The pivotal moment in Lehrich's career came through his partnership with Justin Scheeff, who serves as the operational executor to Lehrich's visionary role.^[1] Together, they developed a strategy of acquiring small businesses across various industries before discovering their focus on e-commerce.

365 Holdings and E-commerce Focus (2017–present)

The transformation of 365 Holdings from a general acquisition vehicle to an e-commerce-focused holding company began in 2017 with the acquisition of Steel River, an outdoor gear and knives brand.^[4] Lehrich and Scheeff used proceeds from selling a $100,000 business as a down payment for a $900,000 SBA loan to acquire the $1 million company.^[6] "We did not hold any of it aside for taxes. We put all 100 grand down on the $900,000 loan to buy the million dollar first business," Lehrich recalled.^[6]

"After that first meaningful acquisition happened, I began to think more about e-commerce as the platform of the future and less about industry diversity," Lehrich explained. "Once we found e-commerce there was no looking back."^[4] The company acquired its second business just 60 days later, a move that drained their checking account and maxed their credit line.^[6]

Under Lehrich's leadership, 365 Holdings has grown to operate six e-commerce brands including Cultures for Health, Valley Food Storage, and Alternascript.^[4] The company employs over 50 people and operates from Akron, Ohio, using a shared services model that provides digital marketing, customer service, supply chain, and fulfillment support across its portfolio.^[3]

Lehrich's acquisition philosophy centers on finding "really high-quality businesses that have some defensible moat, some amount of high-quality revenue that we think is durable, and then we give it a great home."^[3] The company targets brands with $1 million to $10 million in revenue, focusing on consumer products that either create demand or capture existing market demand.^[2]

Industry Leadership and HoldCoConf

Beyond building 365 Holdings, Lehrich has emerged as a thought leader in the micro private equity and holding company space.^[5] He co-hosts HoldCoConf, an annual conference for holding company operators and micro private equity entrepreneurs, known as the "un-conference of Micro Private Equity."^[5] The event brings together multi-business entrepreneurs to share strategies and network within the growing community of small business acquirers.

In 2023, 365 Holdings was recognized by the Business Intelligence Group as one of the Best Places to Work, highlighting the company's focus on employee satisfaction and engagement.^[7] Lehrich has been featured across multiple industry publications and podcasts, sharing insights on e-commerce acquisitions and holding company operations.

Lehrich is married with two sons and is based in the Cleveland-Akron, Ohio area.^[1] He is passionate about endurance sports including CrossFit, rucking, and marathon training.^[1] Lehrich has described himself as having "low patience, hard time focusing, and lack of attention to detail," which he credits as leading to his preference for managing multiple projects and businesses simultaneously.^[1]