If you could go back and do something different with your career, what would you do?
I have had to work very hard over the last 20 years to get to this point in my career. I have been involved in a lot of businesses over the years, and I don’t think I would do much differently. I think that all of my experiences – both successes and failures – have led me to this moment. Leading Hillstone Partners requires all of my knowledge and experiences to make the business successful, and I’m excited about that opportunity.
What sacrifices did you make to get here?
Personally, I have given up a lot of my social life to get here. Ever since I was in college and I had to drop out to earn an income, I never wanted to be in that position again. But when you want to be a pioneer and be a part of something bigger than yourself, then you have to make certain sacrifices. I’ve led 18 start-ups over the last 20 years. It’s always exciting for me to launch a new product or service, and the sacrifices are worth it.
What’s your advice to others looking to do what you’ve done?
With blockchain technology, I think the most important thing is to have real experience in this area. At Hillstone, we’re so excited to launch our new investment platforms – Fundy and Investors – this September. But the blockchain business has a relatively short history. To be successful with blockchain or with any new fintech innovation, you need real knowledge of the technology but also how it relates to business.