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Q - First of all, can you tell us a little about yourself, your career so far, and what you do now?
A- I've worked in finance and technology, and now I'm an investor. I'm a Partner at a venture capital fund called Tidal Ventures. We invest early in Australia's best entrepreneurial talent that are building market leading software products globally.
Q - What are some scenarios that have resulted in growth for you?
A- Two scenarios that always result in growth for me: losing money and letting people go. Getting to that point of my career was a trigger for me, that I'm affecting people around me and not just myself. Every investment is a step outside of my comfort zone, so this provides lots of opportunities for growth. I have to take calculated risks multiple times a year, and none of these decisions are clear-cut.
Q - Can you share a pivotal moment in your career?
A- In terms of my career, I left the finance industry and joined the technology industry mostly on faith, right when the cloud era of SaaS was starting.
Q - How do you continue to learn and grow in your field?
A- I read a lot (sometimes business and technology books, but mostly non-fiction). I listen to a variety of different podcasts. I spend time with my family and learn from them. Investing is an apprenticeship discipline, but everyone adds their own creative flair to it.
Q - What advice would you give to someone starting in your industry?
A- I think you need to acknowledge as a manager of people in investing that there is no 'right' way to find the best founders, work with them and generate a return. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Be effective with your time. Don't burn out. Switch off regularly, spend time with family, keeping chipping away at things. Remember what's important and stick to your values. Most hard decisions are better made after sleeping on it.
Q - How do you build resilience in your career?
A- I think about this more in terms of resilience - you have to believe that regardless of what happens, you will bounce back. I have relied mostly on myself and my intuition throughout my career, and I've never really had mentors or coaches. I've just worked with some really impressive people. I think it's worth pointing out that if you can't afford the time or money for these luxuries, that you are able to be introspective and use real-life situations to improve your resilience professionally and personally.
Q - Is there a piece of advice or experience that has stuck with you?
A- A self-made billionaire once told me that the best experience he ever had was in sales. I have generally found that people who have had to sell, show greater resilience and agency in other fields.
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