You’ve likely seen the Cavinder twins, Haley and Hanna, all over your social media feeds or dominating the basketball court. They are the faces of the NIL era, pulling in millions through brand deals. But if you look behind the scenes, there’s a guy who’s been the foundation of that success long before TikTok even existed. That would be Tom Cavinder.
Honestly, people often get confused when they start looking into Tom Cavinder net worth. Is he just a "basketball dad" riding the wave of his daughters' fame? Not even close. Tom is a heavy hitter in the world of vertical transportation—which is a fancy way of saying he’s an elevator mogul.
The guy has spent decades scaling businesses and navigating the gritty world of blue-collar service industries. While the twins are building a digital empire, Tom has been building a physical one, one elevator shaft at a time.
Breaking Down Tom Cavinder Net Worth in 2026
Estimating a private businessman's wealth isn't like looking up a CEO's salary on a public proxy statement. It’s messy. However, based on his career trajectory and major business exits, experts and industry insiders estimate Tom Cavinder net worth to be comfortably in the $10 million to $20 million range.
This isn't just "influencer money." This is "I-sold-my-company-to-private-equity" money.
His wealth doesn't come from a single source. It’s a mix of equity in established companies, successful exits, and strategic real estate holdings. You have to remember, Tom is a third-generation elevator man. He didn't just start a business; he inherited a legacy and then supercharged it.
The Southwest Elevator Exit
The biggest needle-mover for Tom's bank account was undoubtedly Southwest Elevator Company. He founded the firm in Fort Worth, Texas, back in 2003. Within a decade, it wasn't just a local shop; it was the biggest independent player in Arizona and a dominant force in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
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In 2019, Tom made a massive power move. He partnered with Align Capital Partners (ACP) for a majority recapitalization of the company.
When a private equity firm like ACP comes in to "recapitalize" a business, it usually means the founder is getting a massive payday while retaining a stake to help grow the brand nationally. Think of it as "taking some chips off the table." For Tom, this deal likely represented a multi-million dollar liquidity event.
A Legacy Built on Heavy Lifting
The story of the Cavinder wealth starts long before Tom was born. His grandfather, Paul Cavinder, started Fairhall Elevator in 1908. That's over a century of "going up." Tom grew up in this world. He learned the business from his dad and his uncles.
In 1968, Tom A. Cavinder (Tom’s father) bought Economy Elevator in South Bend, Indiana. Legend has it that Notre Dame University wouldn't give them a contract unless they changed the name to something more professional. So, they changed it to Cavinder Elevator.
Tom eventually took those lessons and branched out. He wasn't content just staying in the Midwest. He moved the family to the Phoenix area, which, if you know anything about the construction boom in the early 2000s, was a genius move.
Why the Business Model Works
Elevators are a goldmine for one specific reason: maintenance. You can’t just install an elevator and forget it. Law requires them to be serviced. This creates what business nerds call "recurring revenue."
Tom’s company, Southwest Elevator, specialized in:
- Preventative maintenance (the bread and butter)
- Major repairs
- Modernization of old systems
- New construction projects
By focusing on the service side rather than just manufacturing, Tom ensured that even when the economy dipped, the checks kept coming in.
The Intersection of Business and Basketball
It’s impossible to talk about Tom without mentioning his role as a father. He played college ball at Nova Southeastern, and that competitive streak clearly rubbed off on his five daughters.
While Tom’s net worth is largely tied to steel and grease, he’s been a pivotal advisor for the twins' brand. You see his fingerprints on how they handle their business. They don't just take any deal; they treat their brand like a corporation.
The twins are currently worth millions themselves, thanks to deals with Boost Mobile, WWE, and SixStar Pro Nutrition. But they started with a safety net and a roadmap provided by their dad. He knew how to negotiate contracts long before Haley and Hanna signed their first NIL deal in Times Square.
Real Estate and Private Holdings
Beyond the elevator industry, Tom has been smart with his cash. Like many successful entrepreneurs in the Texas and Arizona markets, he’s heavily involved in real estate.
Owning the warehouses and office spaces where his businesses operate is a classic "wealth-building 101" move. Instead of paying rent to someone else, he pays it to himself. Over twenty years, those properties appreciate in value significantly.
He also keeps a hand in the family business. Even after selling his majority stake in Southwest, he stayed on as CEO to lead their national expansion. This means he likely earns a high-six-figure salary on top of his investment returns and any performance bonuses tied to the company’s growth.
What Most People Get Wrong
People see the flashy TikToks and assume the whole family is just "famous for being famous."
That's a mistake.
Tom Cavinder is a blue-collar success story who figured out how to scale a specialized service business. He didn't get rich overnight. It took 40 years of 6:00 AM starts and dealing with mechanical failures.
The "Cavinder brand" is actually a marriage of old-school grit and new-school marketing. Tom provided the grit; the girls provided the marketing.
Comparing Tom's Wealth to the Twins
| Aspect | Tom Cavinder | Haley & Hanna |
|---|---|---|
| Source of Wealth | Industrial Services/PE Exit | NIL/Endorsements/Social Media |
| Estimated Worth | $10M - $20M | $5M+ (Combined) |
| Asset Type | Business Equity, Real Estate | Cash, Brand Equity, Investments |
| Strategy | Long-term scaling & M&A | High-velocity digital growth |
Actionable Takeaways from Tom’s Success
If you're looking at Tom Cavinder net worth and wondering how to replicate even a fraction of it, here are the real-world lessons:
- Own the Niche: Don't try to be everything to everyone. Tom focused on elevators. It’s a boring, necessary, and highly regulated industry with high barriers to entry. That’s where the money is.
- Focus on Recurring Revenue: Service contracts are more valuable than one-off sales. They make a business "bankable" and attractive to private equity buyers.
- Know When to Exit: Tom didn't hold onto 100% of his company forever. He recognized when it was time to partner with a bigger firm (Align Capital) to take the business to the next level.
- Invest in Your Network: The Cavinder name is famous in the elevator world because of three generations of relationships. Those relationships are what allowed them to expand into Florida, Nevada, and Texas so effectively.
Tom Cavinder's financial status is a testament to the power of "boring" businesses. While the world watches the highlight reels, the real wealth was built in the machine rooms and the boardroom.