In August of 2008 I was a college grad.
No job.
Didn't want to be a journalist anymore.
No money.
I knew NOTHING about $ or investing.
I even called a 401k a 4-zero-1-kay. *Still reasonable in my mind*
Lessons learned to 8 figures & being my own boss...
No job.
Didn't want to be a journalist anymore.
No money.
I knew NOTHING about $ or investing.
I even called a 401k a 4-zero-1-kay. *Still reasonable in my mind*
Lessons learned to 8 figures & being my own boss...
First *It Doesn't Matter Where You Start
My family had lil $.
Investing? What's that.
My mom = special ed teacher for 30 years.
My dad street smart (successful now) but the hard toiling way, no college.
We thought a motel by the beach was the Ritz (I still kinda do).
My family had lil $.
Investing? What's that.
My mom = special ed teacher for 30 years.
My dad street smart (successful now) but the hard toiling way, no college.
We thought a motel by the beach was the Ritz (I still kinda do).
Second *Fancy colleges aren't necessary
I went to ASU for undergrad. Yes, Arizona Sun Devils.
Read: a party school w/ classes I took like intro to Elvis. I swear to God real class.
Lord help me if anyone finds photos from college. I fully leaned into the ahem "experience."
I went to ASU for undergrad. Yes, Arizona Sun Devils.
Read: a party school w/ classes I took like intro to Elvis. I swear to God real class.
Lord help me if anyone finds photos from college. I fully leaned into the ahem "experience."
*Fun story
I was at SSgA (1 of largest investment firms). Had kind of a big job.
My colleagues were 38-56.
Me = 25
30 yr old admin to me:
"Where you go to school."
ASU.
"Who do u know here?"
No one.
"How'd you get job?"
She'd gone to Harvard. Then worked for me. Giggle.
I was at SSgA (1 of largest investment firms). Had kind of a big job.
My colleagues were 38-56.
Me = 25
30 yr old admin to me:
"Where you go to school."
ASU.
"Who do u know here?"
No one.
"How'd you get job?"
She'd gone to Harvard. Then worked for me. Giggle.
Third *Finance isn't that hard.
I interviewed for an accelerated development program at Vanguard.
Bunch of nerd competitors knew WAY more than me. Had models, read all the books etc.
BUT amazing what asking q's asked w/ no ego will do.
Got the job.
I interviewed for an accelerated development program at Vanguard.
Bunch of nerd competitors knew WAY more than me. Had models, read all the books etc.
BUT amazing what asking q's asked w/ no ego will do.
Got the job.
Fourth * Language Doesn't = Intelligence
Finance has its own language.
EBITDA
Pref vs common
Exp ratio
bps
They make up a language to sound smart & take our money.
I created a lil dictionary. Once I knew the language, they couldn't scare me with acronyms.
Finance has its own language.
EBITDA
Pref vs common
Exp ratio
bps
They make up a language to sound smart & take our money.
I created a lil dictionary. Once I knew the language, they couldn't scare me with acronyms.
Fifth * I NEVER was smartest in the room.
Sat down with CEO of Goldman in a group.
I understood maybe 40% of what he was talking about w/ CLO's and debt structures.
Everyone knew more..
Often still do.
I asked quietest guy on my team to explain all I didn't understand, always.
Sat down with CEO of Goldman in a group.
I understood maybe 40% of what he was talking about w/ CLO's and debt structures.
Everyone knew more..
Often still do.
I asked quietest guy on my team to explain all I didn't understand, always.
Sixth *Preparation beats knowledge/background
When I applied to Goldman, I got in bc of a recruiter, Taryn. MFer was motivated -> $100k for every analyst
40+ hours of prep, yelled at me when I didn't answer right.
After the not-fing-kidding 11th interview. I got in.
When I applied to Goldman, I got in bc of a recruiter, Taryn. MFer was motivated -> $100k for every analyst
40+ hours of prep, yelled at me when I didn't answer right.
After the not-fing-kidding 11th interview. I got in.
Seventh *Everyone hustles, don't believe em if they say they didn't.
I flew to 3 countries, interviews w/ 15 people to get turned down by Credit Suisse PE division in LatAm.
Brutal.
Eventually, I built my own LatAm biz and had them come back.
But damn, that no hurt.
I flew to 3 countries, interviews w/ 15 people to get turned down by Credit Suisse PE division in LatAm.
Brutal.
Eventually, I built my own LatAm biz and had them come back.
But damn, that no hurt.
Eighth *Haters are Fuel
I led a biz at a firm. The place made Wolf of Wall St look tame.
We were growing but I didn't fit w/ managers.
One said, "You're why we don't hire women."
RAGE. But damn Dan, tiny-man-fast-cars-to-compensate fueled me.
I should send him a TY gift.
I led a biz at a firm. The place made Wolf of Wall St look tame.
We were growing but I didn't fit w/ managers.
One said, "You're why we don't hire women."
RAGE. But damn Dan, tiny-man-fast-cars-to-compensate fueled me.
I should send him a TY gift.
Ninth *Most People Wanna Help You
Despite my love of haters, the biggest secret to winning?
Find the humans amongst the people.
Most people want you to win.
I collected humans over the years who became titans, and they pulled me along with them.
Despite my love of haters, the biggest secret to winning?
Find the humans amongst the people.
Most people want you to win.
I collected humans over the years who became titans, and they pulled me along with them.
10th THE SECRET?
People love underdog stories.
If you started att the botttom. If you're a kid next door.
If you're a newbie.
If you're lost it's all good.
Let people help you get found.
Then share w/ the next gen. Oh and F*ck Dan. 😂
People love underdog stories.
If you started att the botttom. If you're a kid next door.
If you're a newbie.
If you're lost it's all good.
Let people help you get found.
Then share w/ the next gen. Oh and F*ck Dan. 😂
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