Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick | Episode 25 | Gen Z Grit in the Finance Industry with Connor Lapean
33 Plays13 days ago
Connor Lapean, Investment Research Associate at Banríon Capital Management, opens up about breaking into alternative investments while still in college. From battling imposter syndrome to embracing AI and spotting opportunities in private credit, Connor shares what it really takes to earn trust and grow fast in a high-stakes industry.
With a grounded mindset and a no-excuses attitude, he shows how Gen Z is reshaping finance—one bold move at a time.
Connect with us below!
Recommended
Transcript
Understanding Imposter Syndrome
00:00:00
Speaker
Imposter syndrome is all in the head and it makes both parties uncomfortable. So if you can go into any situation you're in, realizing the other person wants to have a great time, they want to get to know you and imposter syndrome is going to make it worse.
00:00:12
Speaker
that kind of That kind of helped shape that for me, realizing that both people want to have a good conversation and the other person isn't looking at you um any differently, as long as you aren't looking at yourself any differently.
Introducing Alternatives Mason Podcast
00:00:24
Speaker
Welcome to the Alternatives Mason podcast with host Brittany Mason, Chief of Staff at Bondrian Capital Management. You'll learn how to build alternatives knowledge brick by brick. Bondrian Capital Management uses technology to help independent advisors scale and educate themselves on alternative investments.
00:00:41
Speaker
And since education is such a big piece of what we do, we are excited to kick off the series to dive into the nits and grits of the alternative space.
Meet Connor Lapine
00:00:49
Speaker
Hello, everyone. It Brittany Mason, and we are here with another episode of The Alternative Mason, where we are building your alt knowledge brick by brick.
00:00:59
Speaker
I'm really excited for today today's episode because we have one of our own, one of our very own from Bonnerian Capital here. We have Connor Lapine, is our investment research associate from Bonner and capital.
00:01:13
Speaker
He's joined Bonner in 2024 and he has been with our firm for nearly a year, contributing to due diligence on private and public funds, equity research, market analysis, and business development.
00:01:26
Speaker
Originally from Chicago, Connor is currently finishing his degree at Texas Christian university, balancing his studies with four years of hands-on experience in investment research.
00:01:36
Speaker
He's passionate about alternative investments, and he is eager to continue to make an immediate impact with Bonnerian Capital and beyond. It is so great to have
Role at Bondrian Capital
00:01:46
Speaker
you, Connor. Welcome, welcome, welcome. Thank you, Brittany. I'm super excited to be on.
00:01:51
Speaker
I've only heard the best thing, so excited for today. You are like our rising star here at Bonnerian. I mean, since you came on, I mean, you have just had a fire under your butt.
00:02:02
Speaker
I will say it's been awesome. Seriously. Like, and you're so young and i think Shana and I both forget how young you are because you really have just been a shining star for the firm.
00:02:14
Speaker
So
Financial Beginnings
00:02:15
Speaker
I really appreciate that. Yeah. i absolutely love my time so far. It's you guys make it easy working under you too and all you guys do. So I really appreciate it. Thank you. Well, we have to give Connor a hard time because we are women, you know, an all,
00:02:31
Speaker
female firm basically, except for Connor, he is the exception. Not to say we're not going to hire more men. You know, we we probably will. But, you know, Connor has been that special exception and just ah such a great addition to the team.
00:02:46
Speaker
And um so, you know, Connor, I think, you know, you're familiar with how we do this podcast. I always like to really start with, you know, what is your earliest money memory?
Family Influence on Finance
00:02:56
Speaker
What planted that seed ah for you and how did your, you know, how did that shape your relationship with money?
00:03:04
Speaker
Yeah, totally. um Growing up, I'm the youngest of four. So I come from a big family and I'm lucky to be the youngest because I get to see a lot. I get to mimic a lot. I get to take what I like.
00:03:16
Speaker
I think I really have a very healthy relationship with money. For as long as I can remember, i ah was always trying to make some money. I was always trying to work. um I have fond memories of my dad coming home from work after a long day in Chicago, and um I stole pencil from his office and I'm trying to sell it to him.
00:03:32
Speaker
um I've always been trying to make money. So that was probably when I was really young. um I've always been around. um work environments. My parents taught me very young ah the importance of working and I've tried to mimic that um for as long as I can remember.
00:03:47
Speaker
I stuck into my local country club at the age of 13 and started caddying there and I'm always looking for work and I've always been surrounded by it. um Luckily, I've been ah very fortunate growing up to have a really great family.
00:04:00
Speaker
They've supported me through everything. I'm very thankful
Startup Passion
00:04:03
Speaker
for how hard they have worked for me and I'm just trying to look ah to give that back as I'm starting up my career. so um I've always ah been around a work environment and I think being young has always helped me. And at Bonren, I fear it's no different. But um yeah, I have a very great relationship.
00:04:20
Speaker
um I've just always tried to work very hard and focus on what's really important. Love it. Love it. So, but i do you have a memory that sticks out though, where you're like, oh, you know, I wanted to you know, go into finance you know, you just always had that like entrepreneurial spirit that it sounds like.
00:04:42
Speaker
Yeah, totally. i I think there were a lot of different things that shaped my interest in finance. um Obviously, my dad played a huge role in that. He has been working in finance for over 20, I guess now 30 years. So I grew up always seeing him come home from the train.
00:04:58
Speaker
And although I never really talked with him directly when I was six or seven years old about what he was doing, um I was always surrounded by it from a young age. um So naturally I assimilated towards that as I began studying and began looking at what I wanted to do with my future.
00:05:12
Speaker
um But on the entrepreneurial track, I most definitely had a lot of different times when I was always looking to start something new, build something.
Balancing Work and Personal Life
00:05:21
Speaker
um I remember my sister and I, we'd always um go outside of our house. We'd plant ourselves on the corner and we'd sell lemonade. We'd do anything we could. and We were always surrounded by that. I,
00:05:30
Speaker
i I always was made made fun of by my family because I was always looking for a way to sell something. I was always looking for the next business. um And although I might not be an entrepreneur in the future, I don't know that yet. I know that that spirit has helped me in a lot of different things that I'm working on. So um yeah, a couple things did stick out, but um I've always been surrounded by finance. So naturally, as I grew up, assimilated towards that.
00:05:53
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, that makes sense. That makes sense. And it's great that you had that you know guidance early on. Outside of your father, who would you say has been the most influential person on your finance journey?
00:06:08
Speaker
Yeah, there's a lot of different people that come to mind. um Obviously, huge family guys. So my family has definitely played a huge effect on me. um Told you about my dad. He's ah definitely been a huge inspiration for me.
00:06:19
Speaker
ah Just saw how hard my parents worked for me growing up, for me and my three siblings. And that was always something for me that I thought was very important. My mom always taught me the importance of Um, just being yourself, being your authentic self, um, and being smart with your money. They both taught me that very early, um, that everything you get in this life, everything you want, and you have to work for.
00:06:40
Speaker
Uh, so from a very young age, both my mom and my dad had taught me that. and they also taught me, um, how I want to model myself in the future, and just in the way that they were so generous to me, they sacrificed so much for me, ah they kind of enabled something for me ah for what I want in the future.
00:06:56
Speaker
um So seeing how hard they worked for all three of us, all four of us rather, um has really shaped my foundation for what I want in the future, um has helped me i' build for that. ah Kind of on that same note, I have to give a shout out to all my siblings, because um they all paved the path. And I luckily got to follow a very nice and neat path. I always look up to my eldest brother, he's six years older than me. um Growing up, we obviously had a huge age gap. So um I saw a lot of different things when he was going through life. But um I always saw how diligent he was, how hard he worked.
00:07:27
Speaker
And that really shaped me from a young age. And even as I've come into this role at Bonnery, he has been a huge, huge support to me. And I've always been able to bounce ideas off him. And he's really helped me navigate some of the early stages of different career paths for me. And ah yeah, the family has been huge for me and has helped support me through all that.
00:07:47
Speaker
What is it that you enjoy the most about the work? ah you know What makes you passionate yeah about it? Yeah. For Bonnery in specific, it's um it's very interesting, the role I have, because it's so dynamic.
00:08:01
Speaker
um I think that's vastly due to the fact that it is a startup, um but I love it. I love the dynamic role. I feel like I have so many different things I get to work on, ah whether it be a technical piece that we're working on.
00:08:12
Speaker
um that That really... is something i love i love the complexity i love learning more about the industry and actually applying technical skills to make something new um work in general i think i'm just very work driven i love having something to reach for i love having goals and being able to um work towards something so um tying that into just how I grew up, like work was always something that I was passionate about, because I always thought I had to work.
00:08:39
Speaker
um So then when I was transitioned into a more formal role, especially here at Bonren, I think that has helped a lot. I always want to look for a way to um provide value and make an impact on the place I'm in. So um definitely seeing that firsthand with being in a startup, um everything we do and you as you know better than anyone else, everything you do has an immediate impact on the company.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
00:09:00
Speaker
So I'd absolutely love that. And yeah, it's it's it's motivating when you see what your work is doing and you see the fruits of your labor.
00:09:08
Speaker
Absolutely. And the versatility. I mean, working for a startup, you have to you know be adaptable. You have to be innovative. You have to be you got to have grit, too. Do you think that's something that can be taught or do you think that's something we're just innately born with?
00:09:24
Speaker
I wish I could say it was innately something we were born with. To an extent, it probably is. um But vastly, I think it is the circumstances you put yourself into. um Your story is example to everyone that...
00:09:36
Speaker
um where you water your grass it's going to become green um and i think that's huge and that's always been something i've tried to model my life after um there's going to be ups and downs through the whole road um there's going to be parts where you have to learn but i think the grit comes into play um when you find a way to navigate the ups and downs and put yourself on a better path forward so i'd like to say that i was born very gritty and i probably was to some extent um But working hard is definitely something you have to train, you have to work for.
00:10:06
Speaker
And it's something you have to actively think about, especially um just in the world we live in today. a lot of times people um perceive the younger generations as people that aren't working as hard. So I'm trying to make a fast track statement that the younger generation is still here working hard. And ah yeah, I try to do that every day with well everything I'm working on.
00:10:25
Speaker
Well, certainly like the way Gen Z is described in the workplace, you have like all those negatives. You haven't, you have not fallen to any of those categories. Maybe some. I appreciate it. You're a workhorse.
00:10:38
Speaker
So, so when, you know, yeah, riding the ebbs and flows of, of life, you know, so, um, when things do get, get tough or overwhelming because, you know, you're doing a lot, you're still in school and you're working up on it. And, you know, I mean, it's, it's, it's a startup as we know, i mean, it's all hands on deck.
00:11:00
Speaker
Um, when things do get, you know, when things do get tough and you have, you're very goal oriented, very work oriented, like how do you deal with not burning out or, you know, combat burnout?
Brittany Mason's Story
00:11:16
Speaker
How do you balance that?
00:11:18
Speaker
Yeah, I think that is such a good question. And it's funny you mentioned that. I was literally talking about that with one of my friends today. um It's such a real thing. When you're working so hard, especially with the people I'm around, ah I feel like there's just a natural tendency to want to do the next thing, want to do whatever is best to move the ball forward.
00:11:35
Speaker
I think the biggest thing for me and my parents have been the best support system for this is finding people in your life that you can go to during these times. um So for me, that's been my parents, my friends, my girlfriend.
00:11:46
Speaker
um You need to find outlets outside of work that can separate work, especially as a startup, because we're always moving. We're working 24 seven. So I'm finding people you can talk about. yeah It's always it's it's constant. And I love it because it's it's great and it's motivating, but you do need to have a balance to some degree.
00:12:03
Speaker
um I think there's a large portion of that that relies on your outlets, your support system. um But I think it also is a testament to who you surround yourself with at work. Since we're working together so much,
00:12:14
Speaker
um You need a strong team. You need a team that motivates motivates you. And I find that at Bonrain. I've never been in a more motivating environment. i'm Talking with you and Shana is invigorating and it makes me want to work. It makes me want to um do more work and I can see how hard you guys are working and I can see the vision.
00:12:30
Speaker
So buying into something as great as that, as moving as that that that that, that's a huge support system there. So finding motivation, value in the work you're doing, but also having outlets to support you is kind of how I combat some of burnout.
00:12:43
Speaker
Absolutely. Well, thank you. and It's great. I love our team. I love our little team. and Small but mighty. Small but mighty. The Irish way I love it you know And I love all of our Irish connection. It's just so funny. It it is funny. it's just It just seems like everything just fell into place and was meant to be. we were all meant to be on a team together. 100%.
00:13:05
Speaker
so I, you know, ah yeah, you've mentioned my my story a couple times, you know, our our listeners, I've mentioned my story in bits and pieces here and there. And, you know, as you all know, i came from a very different background before coming in here. And Shana really took me under her wing.
00:13:24
Speaker
She has just been a phenomenal, um you know, mentor to me and someone to look up to in this industry and really just learn from. And I know that she just loves helping encourage and curate other, you know, people's careers in this industry and helping them get started. And it's, it's been really cool to like, it's almost like passing the baton on, you know, and so um it's it's been a joy to work for Bonrien as well. And so something I want to talk about, though, is imposter syndrome, because I'll be, if if we're being honest, you know, i know that I, at first, that was something that I struggled with was imposter syndrome. And I know even just starting this um podcast, I actually
00:14:13
Speaker
i my whole life was turned upside down during the pandemic and I lost everything. I mean, I was stripped of everything I owned. I lost my home. I literally, it's really hard to believe, but it is it was very real for me. I did not have anywhere to live. I was homeless for a year and um I had gone into business with some really bad people and I learned a lot of lessons and um you know my kindness was taken advantage of. But anyhow, that led me down a whole new path of reclaiming my sense of self, my voice, and everything in between my whole sense of self. And I knew in that moment, I was either going to go into law or finance.
00:14:54
Speaker
And, you know, finances, what ended up working out for me, you know, I decided that I wasn't goingnna allow anyone to ever do that again. And so um that's how, you know, Shana found me because she was following my business before and, but she She was like, you got to come work for me.
00:15:12
Speaker
And I'm like, yes, let's do it. You know, but she believed in me or I believed in myself. And, um, so I did deal with imposter syndrome, um,
00:15:25
Speaker
um when I first start, when I was first starting, you know? And so how about you? Do you ever, do you ever feel that way? know, it's, do you ever feel have was felt that way? I mean, I'd be lying.
00:15:39
Speaker
I'd be lying if I said I didn't. um You know, Shayna, she, she just boasts confidence and it comes from within. So being around someone like Shayna, you naturally want to emulate that. um I think she puts a lot of trust in her employees and I think that's rightfully so. I think,
00:15:54
Speaker
Um, she does a great job of screening us, building us and, um, training us to do what we're supposed to do. Um, but when you spend more time with Shana and you, uh, are in some of those, uh, different situations, you realize, wow, she really just radiates this confidence and, uh, 24 seven. Um, yeah, there definitely have been times where, um, imposter syndrome has happened. And, uh, I, I know I keep mentioning him, but my brother coined it. And one of the best ways I've ever heard it is, um, I was like about to attend the conference, uh,
00:16:23
Speaker
down in Austin with Shana. And I was then walking into a room full of people that were 35 years older than senior executives. And I stood out like a sore thumb. I was obviously the youngest there by 25, 30 years. So naturally, I'm talking to people that are my dad's age, um who have been in the business for 30 years. And I'm like, how do I fit in here?
00:16:41
Speaker
And I was talking with my brother and he told me, Connor, Impostors, imposter syndrome is all in the head. Uh, and it makes both parties uncomfortable. So if you can go into any situation you're in realizing the other person wants to have a great time, they want to get to know you and imposter syndrome is going to make it worse.
00:16:57
Speaker
Um, that kind of that kind of helped shape that for me, realizing that both people want to have a good conversation and the other person isn't looking at you um any differently, as long as you aren't looking at yourself any differently. So kind of like you were mentioning, um finding confidence within, understanding that you do have value to provide is increasingly important, especially at a young age.
00:17:17
Speaker
um I've been in many situations in the past year that I never would have thought of, whether it be that conference in Austin, venture capital calls, talking to new clients, um loved every experience but there have definitely been times where i've had to step up uh and i have questioned myself question my abilities yeah um but once again i think it falls back onto the team we have uh in the confidence and trust shana has placed on all of us um which is something rare and something really i value i can see she trusts us so if she's stressing us i think that's for good reason um so yeah navigating imposter syndrome is something i think every young professional definitely has to deal with um yeah and i think the biggest thing is just
00:17:57
Speaker
finding confidence within and understanding everyone has value to provide. And there's a lot to learn. So just realizing I'm young, I can learn, um but I can still contribute in many meaningful ways.
00:18:10
Speaker
Exactly. I was just about to say, I mean, exactly. So it's ah for me, it's really like now, now walking through the fire and rebuilding my whole career and life in a whole different way. Now I have a sense of autonomy and confidence that I never had before. I just, you know, and I realized how I hadn't given myself credit before, you know, so it really is about getting out of your own head and you know, you do the work and then keeping in mind, you know, if you don't understand something, you don't know something, you can learn it, you can learn it.
Gen Z in the Workplace
00:18:45
Speaker
And the industry is constantly evolving, changing. And so we have to constantly consume information to stay up to date on it, all the regulations and everything happening. So, you know, um yeah, that's my opinion with imposter syndrome.
00:19:00
Speaker
So I want to talk more about Gen Z. so your is So Gen Z, because Gen Z, like you said earlier, Gen Z gets a lot of flack for work. We do, we do.
00:19:12
Speaker
place. Yes. So let's talk about Gen Z a little bit. I don't know if i associate i think by nature I am. But um yeah, there are lots of people and I was even in class the other day. And it seems that a lot of people that are older, more experienced in the industry have this connotation that people want the easy way.
00:19:32
Speaker
They're trying to get things done quickly. and People don't want to work anymore. And I'm not going to speak for the whole generation. I know a lot of people that work very hard and I surround myself with very, um, driven individuals, but, um, yeah I do think that presents opportunity for people in this new generation, uh, to stand out. And that's always been my philosophy.
00:19:51
Speaker
I think everyone is going to be, um, and Everyone can say whatever they want. People can think their generation worked harder than the other, vice versa. The thing is, we're all here. We we can't really change and the way people think. But what we can change is our individual actions and how we perform. So I've always been a big advocate for um let people think what they want to think and let the results speak for themselves. So I'm working to break that stereotype.
00:20:17
Speaker
Yeah, work as hard as I can and hopefully break that mold so future generations won't have to deal with any of that. But yeah, um there's a lot of talk always. And it definitely being been young in the industry, um you can feel that. You can feel the tension. But hopefully that will be ah thing of the past soon.
00:20:34
Speaker
Yeah, yeah, for sure. Ageism on both sides is definitely... Yeah, what are your what are your thoughts on it? Well, you know, I... You... I, we obviously have a great working relationship. I have friends that are, I have some friends that are, you know, Gen Z and, you know, but I would say they're more mature, but in the only time it like things like really, and they, and they work hard. So that's the type of people I surround myself with as well, you know? So, yeah um, but I mean, yeah, I haven't encountered those things at work with like, jet like, you know,
00:21:07
Speaker
So, um but you know, I mean, of course every generation has its stuff. I mean, millennials, I mean, we've gotten, you know, flack for so much stuff, you know? So from the boomers and from gen six, you guys make fun of us all the time.
00:21:23
Speaker
I don't know what type of socks are we wearing now? Are we wearing high socks or low socks now? Which is it Connor? I don't know. I'm low sock. I'm a low sock guy. and You're a low sock guy? don't know that makes me a bad person. Yeah.
00:21:37
Speaker
a I'm like, yeah, because millennials have always been low socks. But then i thought it was Gen Z bringing. But now I've heard recently that it's back to low socks again. So I think it's the new wave. I think that's your to say.
00:21:52
Speaker
So what do you think your generation is? What do you feel in the next like 10 years in the workplace? Like, ah but how do you feel things will change for your generation that you're the energy you're bringing in?
00:22:06
Speaker
Not everyone is like, you know, I mean, clickbait saying Gen z doesn't want to learn all that. You know, there, there are hardworking Gen Zers out there. Yeah. I'd like to say that the the work will prevail. And I think in the current landscape we're entering, um, it's obviously a crazy time to be entering the workforce.
00:22:26
Speaker
Uh, markets are crazy. The job environment is crazy. Um, but I think there's a lot of opportunity, like I was saying earlier, um Next five to 10 years, we're going to see a lot of transition, I think, into more specialized work and people that can um use new advancements and connect well with people are going to thrive.
00:22:44
Speaker
um You can never take away the personal aspect in any industry. People are here to stay and people like people. Um, so I think people that are going to thrive in the next five to 10 years are the people, um, that use all the resources available, um, whether it be AI, um, different advancements in that, just to learn as much as they can and perform exceptionally well on their job.
00:23:04
Speaker
Um, but you're also going to need people that can connect well in organizations. So I think the people that know how, um, to relate to one another, connect to people, that's, what's going to break this current environment
AI & Financial Industry
00:23:15
Speaker
we're in. We need people that like people, um,
00:23:18
Speaker
We need more people just thinking about how everyone's a person at the end of the day um and stop like all this different stuff. I think those people are going to thrive in the next five, 10 years because you're right. We are in a crazy spot. And um yeah, I think ah I think it'll be interesting.
00:23:34
Speaker
Especially with ai and tech and robotics. And how do you feel that's going to influence the financial landscape? i I once again think, I think a lot of people think it's going to replace jobs. It's going to replace everything.
00:23:47
Speaker
And to an extent it might, uh, at a given, given time, but I think in the near future, um, AI will replace people that don't know how to utilize AI. Um, so I think people in the financial industry that know how to use AI to their advantage, use that to leverage their current skills that can't be replaced by AI, um, are going to do great. Um, cause AI, you, you look at AI and what it can do and,
00:24:11
Speaker
It's absolutely insane. And there's more advancements, it seems like every single day. um So I think staying ahead of the curve, understanding how AI works and using that to your an advantage in job and jobs and whatever you're doing is going to be ah the key to that because there is so much movement with that.
Exciting Sectors in Investments
00:24:28
Speaker
Is there a sector of alts that you're most excited about? Yeah. um Kind of on that note, I'm really excited by different opportunities that are fueled by AI.
00:24:40
Speaker
And that's those tech companies, those different yeah alternatives that are utilizing AI. I think there's a major upside there. And I think it's an untapped market right now. I know there's so a lot of hype around AI, but I think there are a lot of niche areas um which are going to do really well.
00:24:55
Speaker
um I'm also really interested on different private credit. um Okay. companies just I think that traditional lending, traditional financing um is becoming more and more dated each each year.
00:25:07
Speaker
And I think private credit options, especially different partners we've brought on to our platform, offer a very unique alternative to some of those traditional means of financing where people and who couldn't get the structured and financing they want from a regular bank have different alternative investment vehicles. And I think there's major upside with private credit. It's one of the largest booming industries and um on a sector whole, I think private credit has major upside.
00:25:34
Speaker
um Kind of coupling that with emerging markets, I think alts are going to be key in the future. The next five to 10 years is going to see major, major, major developments. And AI will vastly fuel lot of that development.
Sports Investing Trend
00:25:48
Speaker
Yeah, I agree. I agree. I'm really excited about sports investing and all the movement that's going on there. To be able to own like part of your favorite sports team or you know collectibles and and things like that. We're seeing a lot more of that.
00:26:06
Speaker
i'm not I'm not insanely well-versed on all that, but that has been a traditional landscape that has not seen any private investing for years. So I think Shayna is very bullish on all the different sports investing. And I know Bonreen is as well.
00:26:20
Speaker
um Major upside there as well. We were sitting at a dinner in Chicago um with, I think it was Mark Larry, and just talking about the sports investing. And it's it's a major, major player. And I think we already are seeing those developments in the past couple of months um with different funds being um raised around the the sports rights.
00:26:42
Speaker
um yeah And I think there's going to be a lot of interesting stuff, especially with the NBA and NFL, i'm two of the biggest players. I know. The thought of being able to own part of like your own team is just such a compelling investment ah compelling reason for the average ah average investor, and I think you can capitalize a lot on
Career Aspirations & Comparisons
00:26:59
Speaker
that.
00:26:59
Speaker
To be able to say you own part of the Chiefs or – the dolphins. What a, what a brag. So you are compared to, I hear people compare you a lot to Luke Lloyd, um, who I've actually had on here. He's awesome.
00:27:18
Speaker
Uh, I always, I always forget how young he is as well. He's like 27. um but he's, he's a wealth of knowledge and, um, you know, he's on TV commentating all the time.
00:27:33
Speaker
How does that make you feel and where would you like to see your career go from here? Well, I'm obviously obviously very honored to be compared to such a great guy. um Unfortunately, we haven't gotten the opportunity to talk yet. I know we were planning that a couple of weeks back.
00:27:47
Speaker
um But yeah, he's a huge role model to me, whether he knows it or not. i Shana obviously thinks very fondly of him and he has such a presence on media and in the financial world. So I've been looking at a lot of his work, a lot of um what he's been doing, and he's killing it. He's so young as well. And um he's talked a lot about that, talked about navigating some of those complexities and um Although I haven't had the personal opportunity to meet him, I'm very excited for when that happens.
00:28:13
Speaker
um Yeah, just to be compared to that is extremely, extremely ah honoring. And um yeah, I just think in the next five years, I hope to be somewhere where he is, developing the confidence he has speaking.
00:28:25
Speaker
on media and obviously he is so well versed in the ah technical understandings of the markets just being able to talk so fluently on that um at such a confidence and he has such a great personality um yeah that would that's a great that's ah a very nice comparison and he seems like an amazing guy so I'm excited to meet him and hopefully he has some tips for me to get to anywhere near where he is today yeah you guys gotta to connect you have to connect so um yeah So where would you like to see yourself though in the next like 10 years? I mean, how do you see, you what sector would you like to evolve more in?
00:29:03
Speaker
You wanna stay at all? You wanna move more over into?
00:29:09
Speaker
i think I don't know completely, although I'm like probably the most goal oriented person you'll ever meet. I swear I write like my daily goals down, my monthly goals, my yearly goals. Ironically enough, I still don't know exactly where I want to be professionally in 10 years. I do know different um things I want to be going on in the next five to 10 years. I know um immediately with Bonrian, I want to have a huge impact with Bonrian.
00:29:35
Speaker
I can't stress it enough, but I'm very confident in what Bonarine does, what they sell. um And there have been different moments where it's just clicked and everything's like, wow, this makes so much sense. yeah um So for me, that's when I fully bought in.
00:29:48
Speaker
And I want to see major success with Bonarine and want to help grow this to where I think it can go. um So in the next five to 10 years, having an impact on that, whether it's front loading or um towards the end, I want to build a very strong foundation for Bomb Room to go to the moon.
00:30:04
Speaker
um yeah And then on a professional aspect, I think just Really using these first five to, I'd say, five years to learn as much as humanly possible is what I'm really focused on.
00:30:16
Speaker
um Because obviously entering the industry, there are people you're surrounding yourself with that have been in it for 35 years. and And they deserve the respect and credit. And there's so much you can learn from them. So initially, right now, I'm just focused on learning as much as I can and building a really, really strong technical foundation. So then whatever I want to do five to 10 years from now, I'll have the opportunity and the skills to do so.
Entrepreneurial Goals
00:30:38
Speaker
um Yeah, so I'm just very excited. I know that I want to um be in an organization where I'm valued and i can have an impact on the work I'm doing. Finding value in your work has been increasingly important for me. And I know going forward in my career, I'll need that.
00:30:54
Speaker
I love the opportunity to grow and build. So that's why working with this startup has been just the best experience. And so professionally speaking, i I really want to learn as much as I can. And personally, um, but I do have a couple of goals. If, uh, I guess on the top and of of Luke Lloyd, it'd be awesome to do media appearances like him. And I think that would be really interesting. That'd be awesome.
00:31:17
Speaker
But yeah, I, uh, I'd love to get more, um, media appearances. I'd love to talk more. Um, anyone that knows me knows I talk way too much. Um, so just finding a way to, um, use that to my strength, use that to my advantage, um, speak publicly.
00:31:33
Speaker
and build a really great brand for myself. I eventually might want to start my own business, start my own company. um I don't know where the future will take me, but yeah, I think down the road. you want to start your own you you Do feel you want to start your own one day, your own business?
00:31:49
Speaker
i i I do. I think I will, but I'm a very calculated a guy, so I'd have to make sure I have a lot of things in place. And I know that risk mitigation is huge for me, so I want to make sure, one, I know what I'm doing and I have all the skills necessary.
00:32:03
Speaker
um But my head, yeah, my head is very wired like an entrepreneur. I'm always thinking of potential ah solutions to problems. I'm looking for gaps in the market. um And if the right thing presented itself at the right time, i would, of course, jump on that.
00:32:17
Speaker
um I want to do whatever I can to build. I think building is the biggest thing you can do in this world and um the best way you can leave an impact and leave value.
Daily Schedule & Balance
00:32:25
Speaker
So um yeah, i I can't say i know exactly what I'd want to do if I started my own company, but I do want to spend the first five, 10 years yeah doing whatever I can to learn as much as I can.
00:32:37
Speaker
Yeah. What would be a dream project for you to work on one day? It's a great question. I... I've really loved um talking with Shana and some of the portfolio managers, the partners we have.
00:32:51
Speaker
about the funds, their different structures, and a large portion of my role does encompass looking at these funds, looking at um different drivers to their performance. ah So I think a dream project, probably down the road, I don't know if I could start this yet with me, but and would be working with someone to um jump on an ETF. I obviously don't have the experience quite yet to manage and run a whole portfolio by myself, um but I think there's a lot of different um strategies that I would like to look into more.
00:33:20
Speaker
I think down the road, five to 10 years, um it would be great to get more hands-on experience with i'm developing um different portfolios. I think my main mission would be, I really am interested in hedged equities. We have a couple of partners.
00:33:33
Speaker
And then when we've done ah research on them, I've absolutely loved them. It makes so much sense to me as a risk adverse guy like myself, I think there's a lot of potential there. um But then completely 180, I think it also be extremely interesting to do a high growth fund. And I know Shana has a lot of experience with that.
00:33:50
Speaker
and So a dream project for me would definitely be managing an ETF, whether that be um through a small smaller role or eventually being a PM on an ETF. I think there's a lot of cool things with that.
00:34:02
Speaker
um I just love the personal investing side. um I've had a huge fascination with that, but um as I've worked, looked at more institutions, I've seen more private market ah funds. I would love, love, love ah to be behind the scenes on one of those. Nice.
00:34:19
Speaker
So what is an average day in the life for Connor? Wow. Uh, and So I'm in around 18 or 15 credit hours right now.
00:34:30
Speaker
um So I usually, I'll just give you the whole day.
Information Consumption & Advice
00:34:34
Speaker
Usually we'll go wake up, go to the gym, um do work for three or four hours, go to class.
00:34:41
Speaker
I blocked all my classes in the middle of the day, which isn't ideal for this, but yeah. or for a lot of our calls, but ah that's where a lot of the core business classes meet. So I work or school during the day and then come home.
00:34:55
Speaker
And that's when I kind of try to balance homework, work. um Luckily, you guys are amazing and very understanding my schedule, but um Yeah, it's largely right now kind of like just very focused on school and work.
00:35:08
Speaker
um Of course, on the weekends, hang out with some friends, have a good time. I am in college, so I remember that. But um like I was saying earlier, ah the work is so exciting. i i feel like every time I'm working, it's not real work um because I love it so much. And I think that's a testament to Bonrian and the people I'm around um because you guys make the work very exciting and very meaningful. So yeah, spend a lot of the day doing work in school and uh, yeah, I wouldn't change it. I love it.
00:35:36
Speaker
Where do you, what do you consume your information on the most? I I'd say like, where, what are your resources? What do you recommend? So what do you recommend for anyone who wants to get started in this industry?
00:35:48
Speaker
Yeah. I, I don't know if I have the best platform to recommend quite yet, but from my mentors and and the different people I've worked with, I try to get a wide variety of information and try to, uh,
00:35:58
Speaker
read and digest as much information as possible. So um on a professional level, when I'm looking at different macro trends, ah what's going on in the world, um obviously looking at different news outlets.
00:36:10
Speaker
um I'm a big, I love economics. I love looking at the broad landscape. um So I definitely tune into a bunch of different news sources. um I try to get all different angles so I can kind of put the picture together. And then once I have that, I try to dive into some of the more ah micro things, looking at different finance websites, looking at different market indicators, i'm just trying to get a daily summary of what's happening in the market, ups and flows.
00:36:37
Speaker
And then on a personal level, I think just understanding broadly how the market like how the industry works, how people work has been something I've been doing a lot of research on. I think Anyone can learn technical skills. Anyone can learn how to do a job well.
00:36:51
Speaker
and But something you can't necessarily teach or learn on the job is how to connect with people, how to have value, um how to make an organization better. So I've spent a lot of time personally looking at where I can improve, um whether that be through different leadership programs or different courses, i'm just trying to develop myself first so then I can enter any organization ah and I immediately have
Reflecting on the Journey
00:37:14
Speaker
an impact. So I'm trying to do a whole um full, full approach to developing both my personal skills, but also huge focus on the technical, um, learning as much as I can.
00:37:27
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's how you live a ah full purposeful life. So if you would do anything differently on this, on your journey to this industry and in your position now, is there anything that you, your younger self, if you could go back and say, Hey, you know,
00:37:47
Speaker
Is there anything like that? That's a great question. but That's a really good question. Or, you know, yeah. Yeah. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I trust fully in God's plan.
00:38:01
Speaker
Um, so i'm confident that everything I've done up until this point is for a reason. Um, but in a perfect world, of course, there are things I probably would do differently. I think, um, First on boundary and perspective, just coming into this company, I think having confidence from the beginning, um, and my work and what I can produce, um, would have probably expedited, um, some things in my development here with you guys.
00:38:25
Speaker
Um, I think it all worked out very well and I'm very thankful for the spot I'm in today, but, um, just realizing even though I am young, I can ah immediately have a contribution and, um, yeah Ages and everything in this industry and a lot of good can come from younger people.
00:38:41
Speaker
um So just having that confidence when I was first starting at Bonnerin. And then I think personally, just over the past four or five years, I put a lot of pressure and stress on myself. ah to be perfect. I need to do this. i always need to have my future planned out. i'm Realizing you're young. Our ah risk tolerance right now is so much higher than it ever will be So I have room to fit for failure. I have room to mess up.
00:39:02
Speaker
I have time to correct. um Maybe taking a little bit of pressure off myself as I'm entering this industry. um Pressure is good. i think it has developed me and put me in a great spot. But understanding, hey, like I'm still young.
00:39:15
Speaker
There's a lot I can learn. And if I don't do everything perfectly, if I don't have everything figured out, I'm going to be OK. I definitely put a lot of pressure in myself younger. Thankful for it. But ideal world takes some of that off.
00:39:27
Speaker
Absolutely. That's exactly. Yeah. My younger self. I did not give myself enough credit back then. And ultimately, it's. Yeah. how i gave my power away because I didn't give myself enough credit for what I was doing. And it was always like, okay, what's next? What's next?
00:39:44
Speaker
You know? And so, um, it's really important that we find balance and celebrate the wins and exactly like you said, have hobbies outside of work and it only makes your work, you know, better.
00:39:57
Speaker
So it's about that balance. So, Yeah. And props to you. I forgot to mention before. um Sorry, I just forgot to mention I wanted to congratulate you formally on the ah president role. That's huge. And I yeah think that is a huge testament to all your success.
00:40:14
Speaker
So I just wanted to you um congratulate you. know i really appreciate that. It's exciting. And I am very excited to take on, you know, a larger role here on Bon
Future at Bondrian & Book Recommendations
00:40:25
Speaker
Rien. And yeah, as I said, Shane has been phenomenal to work with and and learn from her. And I'm excited to see how far we're going to take Bonnery. And I think this is going to be a really excellent year for us. so Is there anything else you want to add or leave our listeners with before we wrap it up?
00:40:43
Speaker
No, I'm just super thankful. ah One, you brought me onto this podcast and two, you and Shana brought me onto this team. um I know I've said it a lot and I definitely am coming from a biased perspective as I work for both of you. But um I absolutely love my work here and I know what Bondrian is doing.
00:40:59
Speaker
is going to change the game. um There's a need for it in the market. um And we have two very powerful um women leading the charge. And I wouldn't rather be behind any other people. And I think you guys have done an excellent job in growing the brand and ah happy to be a small part of the a whole process.
00:41:17
Speaker
You are you are ah big part of the process. So, you know, everyone, Connor is working with our clients, every one of our clients so that we that come through the door. So you are a huge part of this.
00:41:28
Speaker
And um we couldn't be happier to have you on our team. And so thank you, everyone who's listening. You want to leave them with, you want to leave them with like your favorite book. what What do you recommend? One one book.
00:41:41
Speaker
o I'd probably say how to win friends and influence people. Um, yeah very common book, but I think, uh, it gives you a roadmap of how to navigate connections and, uh, kind of take the good from that.
00:41:54
Speaker
It's a classic. Yep. All right. Well, thank you everyone for listening and tuning in We, you know, hope you enjoyed the but episode and learn something. Connor, thank you so much for taking the time.
00:42:08
Speaker
And, um, yeah, come to Bonnery and for all things alts, we are just very excited for the year ahead and, um, be able to be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, all the, all the social, all the social accounts. Okay.
00:42:25
Speaker
And, we will see you next time live from the green couch.
00:42:30
Speaker
The opinions expressed in this program are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry.
00:42:45
Speaker
To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. Any indices referenced for comparisons are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.
00:43:00
Speaker
As always, please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of capital. Please seek advice from a licensed professional.