By: Kelly Bond, Bridgepoint Advisors
Feat: Kirk MacDowell, MacGuard Security Advisors
Running a security-related business is not for the faint of heart. It’s a 24/7 business with a constant mix of challenges and wins, but in the security industry, where the work never stops and every decision matters, those challenges often feel magnified. Owners juggle high-stakes priorities every day: attracting and retaining top talent, keeping pace with rapid technology shifts, meeting ever-rising customer expectations, and making — or considering — decisions that have a huge impact.
It’s no wonder many find themselves wide awake at 2 a.m., questioning whether they’re making the right decisions. Are the decisions based on their own instincts, or are they calling on advisors to lead them in the right direction?
This month I spent some time with Kirk MacDowell, Founder and President of MacGuard Security Advisors.
KB: Kirk, Please Tell Us a Little Bit About You/Your Business
KM: MacGuard is an advisory firm that caters to the security alarm industry. I have been blessed to work in our industry for 45 years. Early on in my career, I was an owner of an alarm company, led a top SDM 100 integration company, then transitioned to leadership positions at GE Security and Alarm.com. This circle of acquired knowledge spanning from operations to manufacturing to software has given me insight that helps our integration and dealer partners succeed in accomplishing their strategic goals.
What’s One Thing That You Find Keeps You Up at Night?
I don’t know if it’s one specific thing that keeps me up at night. I take my advisory services that I provide to my clients to heart, and I angst when they have an issue at work. Life isn’t perfect, and neither is running an integration company. My clients’ issues vary greatly from project to project.
I have uncovered, however, that no matter what the issue may be—whether companies get off track, become overwhelmed, or are making poor decisions—it comes down to what I’ll call a “predatory stare” — the inability to pause and make rational decisions.
Think of wildlife documentaries where a lion locks on with a predatory stare with a clear focus on seizing the prey. He is in a “predatory state of mind,” and nothing else matters. The lion becomes oblivious to other opportunities or dangers that lie ahead.
In business, when leaders become so focused on the outcome, they may lose their sense of reality. Focus is good; blind foolishness isn’t. I have witnessed times where leaders were presented with new and compelling negative evidence, but it was summarily dismissed. A Predatory State is different from paralysis by analysis where a decision simply isn’t made—it’s where decisions are made with blinders on.
With our clients, we serve as somewhat of a chief outside officer, helping bring clarity to the situation at hand. We move our clients from Predatory to an Awareness State. By doing this, clients have time to react, and they come to use MacGuard as a sounding board in many internal and external decisions.
That’s a Very Interesting Perspective, but It Makes a Lot of Sense. How Have You Noticed It Impacting Businesses?
I can tell you how it impacted my client’s business. I am not an industry broker. There are times, especially if the transaction is large, that owners and leadership retain MacGuard to work closely with them, as well as their broker and legal counsel throughout the process. This can be either buyer or seller related.
Just last evening, I was on calls and texts till 11:30 PM regarding a large transaction that was at an impasse. I was able to help one party see through the Predatory State, and this morning, the transaction closed. There were many well-qualified people working to get this done. I think what MacGuard offered was a confidential sounding board and trusted advisor.
How Can Owners Work to Overcome It?
Let’s face it—we have all become a victim of our own Predatory Stare. We want the new car, new home, or to purchase the competitor next door. We cloud our own decision-making process and become myopically focused on the thing we want without regard to how it may impact others.
When I was a young police officer in a small city in Los Angeles County, I got involved in my first vehicle pursuit. Speeds reached over 110 miles per hour on the 210 freeway in the City of Pasadena, one of our neighboring jurisdictions. I was calling out the location of the pursuit to assisting units until something came over me to just drive. That’s not a good thing. Officers must always provide their current location.
Our dispatch center called my unit number multiple times, but I didn’t hear as I was too focused on catching the car. The dispatcher then came on and said “Kirk, what is your 10-20 (location)?”, which snapped me out of my state. I learned that evening the importance of having a knowledgeable advisor outside of my immediate sphere was invaluable. In case you’re wondering, Pasadena PD caught the bad guy.
What Advice Do You Offer Other Business Owners?
The biggest mistake one can make is not asking for help. Seek advice from peers, experts, or counselors who have been there before. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how many people will show up for you.
Thank you for sharing with us, Kirk! I encourage all to connect with Kirk on LinkedIn.
In the months ahead, I’ll continue sharing candid conversations with security business owners who are opening up about what truly keeps them up at night—and how they’re facing those pressures with focus, resilience, and smart strategy.
Kelly Bond brings over twenty-five years of industry experience to her clients. A 2024 inductee into the Security Sales and Integration Hall of Fame, she serves as Partner of Bridgepoint Advisors LLC, representing buyers and sellers of alarm and integration companies.
Kirk MacDowell has served the industry for 44 years and is Founder and President of MacGuard Security Advisors, a consulting firm providing guidance and insight to his clients. He has served on the Board of Directors of SIA, TMA, and currently serves on the boards of ESA and Security Sales & Integration magazine.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the “Predatory Stare” concept discussed in this interview?
It’s a mindset where business leaders become overly focused on one outcome, losing awareness of broader opportunities or risks—leading to flawed decision-making.
2. How can security business owners avoid the Predatory Stare?
By seeking external advice, maintaining perspective, and using trusted advisors as sounding boards before making major strategic decisions.
3. Who is Kelly Bond?
Kelly Bond is Partner at Bridgepoint Advisors and a respected industry veteran representing alarm and integration companies in M&A transactions.
4. Who is Kirk MacDowell?
Kirk MacDowell is Founder of MacGuard Security Advisors, offering strategic guidance to security integration and dealer companies.