What does "private equity" mean to you? Does it conjure up images of suited financiers, with a lot of money, but with no real interest in your business? Investors who will pile debt into your business and make money at the expense of you and your management team? If your answer is yes, then please stay with me, read on and let me see if I can make you rethink. Private equity, or "PE", is now a mainstream funding option. Most of the mid-market firms have raised new funds in the last 18 months, and they are actively seeking out...