With the wrap up of 2015 and the start of 2016, I took a few moments to reflect on not only this past year, but on the past 15 years, since the beginning of Evergreen Advisors. This year marks Evergreen Advisors’ 15th Anniversary, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about where we have come over the years and the exciting future that lies ahead.
1. This year we celebrate Evergreen’s 15th Anniversary. What thoughts and emotions come to mind when you think about that?
We have developed a unique business model that works with companies throughout their life cycle. We recognize how hard it is to build a business and the key elements needed to attain success. You overlay that mindset to what we have accomplished, while enduring a major economic downturn from 2008 to 2012, and you have to be appreciative of the individuals who have helped build a meaningful business over this time frame.
We work in a business that allows us the window into an owners mind – learning about the financial details of their business and their issues in a first meeting. It is a privilege we take seriously. There are few professions that have that honor.
2. What made you start Evergreen Advisors? Where did you draw inspiration in order to start and build this incredible business?
I saw the needs of early stage and middle market companies who lacked true CFO and Finance skill sets at the executive team level. What do the numbers mean, what is my company worth, how should I finance my company, what are the costs of that capital, where do I find this capital – all questions that often times went unanswered. Worse, they didn’t even know what questions to ask.
It is the blend of strategy, finance, psychology and relationships that intrigued me enough to want to create this business model.
3. What were your visions in 2001 and how have you met them or even surpassed those visions?
It was the desire to succeed and prove out the model to myself and the marketplace. I wanted to build a meaningful, high-reputation business in this region. I don’t know if we have really surpassed the vision, as one always finds things to improve on. Having said that, the size and scope of the firm, the quality of our team, the reputation, and purpose, all create a high level of satisfaction.
The most important growth has been in the team. We have grown from 3 employees to 20 – more importantly, the talent is markedly better than at the outset. We are able to have access to and hire the best people in the region. This has a dramatic and positive impact on the business.
We co-founded the first Angel Fund in the Maryland region in 2001. This fund had 47 investors and allowed us to invest in 11 companies in the region. The fund had 7 successful exits and has 2 remaining in the portfolio.
The deal flow and quality have improved tremendously over this period. The size and sophistication of the client is much greater too.
The outsourced CFO practice has more than 30 clients focused largely, in the technology space. This practice did not exist in 2007.
Building this business which evolves, largely, around relationships and tombstones. We had good relationships at the outset but had to grow the network significantly. There were no tombstones then as there are now!
6. How have the three practice groups of CFO Advisory, Investment Banking, and Business Valuation evolved over the years and how do they now fit together even better than they used to?
The CFO Practice was essentially a restart in 2008. The focus is solely on early stage, fast growth technology companies. This feeds very nicely into our capital raise skill set and creates work for our valuation team. The alignment of the client base around certain industries has been a focus for us in the past six or seven years.
The Valuation area has grown significantly in the past two years in both size and the complexity of the work. The client base ranges from early stage to publicly-traded companies. The referral sources are some of the best companies in the country. We are very proud of that area.
The Investment Banking area is the fastest area of growth for us. The size, complexity and number of transactions completed. 2015 will be the third year of significant growth. We completed are two largest transactions this year and have several similar size opportunities in the works today. The banking team is extraordinarily talented and experienced. This has helped us drive results for our clients in markets we want to focus in prospectively.
Working with closely-held businesses that are growing and fighting through issues to get to the next stage in their life cycle. Also, meeting new connections that can add value to our clients is a great experience too. It never ends.
8. What other CEO’s do you look up to and who has inspired you to have the work ethic that you do? Who is your business role model?
I have a couple of people that I admire – my dad who taught me hard work, integrity and building a great reputation.
Blaise Cooke, former owner of Harkins Builders who accomplished much in his 60 years, including building a great company and giving back so generously to the community.
But at a vision level – it probably centers on servant leadership and creating something that gives more than it receives. If you can do both, success will usually follow.
10. Where do you expect to go in the next 15 years? In what ways do you expect to grow?
We have clients in Chicago, Raleigh, Dallas and Tahoe today. We expect to open new offices in other growth markets over the next decade. However, our focus will continue to be on the three areas of finance offered today. There is more than enough work in these areas and expertise required to keep us grounded at this point.
- What made you apply for your first job at MM? …
- Do you remember your first day? …
- How has your job changed over the years? …
- What has been your biggest achievement/success? …
- What’s your favourite part of the job? …
- What’s your favourite memory (together?) of the last 15 years?
3 Year Business Anniversary and Interview
What is something people may not know about you?
“I was a soccer coach for ten years! Two of those years overlapped with the start of Aragon Research–that was a fun challenge to balance!”
What inspired you to start Aragon Research 10 years ago?
“Well, it all started when a client of mine at a large tech firm actually encouraged me to leave my current job to start my own firm. Starting a company with no income while having 2 kids in college was a daunting idea. But after much thought, I knew I needed to. I had my own ideas about what a research and advisory firm should be, and I was ready to build an organization with one simple mission–to help our clients.”
I really enjoy the work. Our founder, Rebecca Donner, has given me so many wonderful opportunities. But more than that, I truly value the people and different personalities that make up the office. We try to support one another, both personally and professionally. I have been here through singleness, dating, engagement, marriage, the death of my father, the birth of my daughter and everything in between. These ladies have been here for me through it all.
A lot has changed since Inner Design Studio opened its doors in 1993 – from the size (and location) of our office to the style of our work. To celebrate these changes, we’ve been interviewing some of our longtime employees and clients to get their take on how our company has evolved over time.
I would say the company has seen a big transition in how we deliver designs. When I first started, renderings were all still done by hand. Now, that seems antiquated, although I still love how hand sketches look. We’ve also seen and overcome a big jump to Revit software from computer-aided design (CAD). When the new software came out, we weren’t sure how to interface with the architectural drawings, being a firm that only does interiors. Slowly but surely we’re finding our way!
Despite the amount of projects we carry and how professional and focused we need to be, our culture is pretty close-knit and fun-loving. We play practical jokes, host birthday parties and have fun team-building events. I love that we are not located downtown so that we can park right outside our front door instead of a parking garage or paid lot. And we’re a two-minute drive to Target. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Oh gosh, there are so many… and some not appropriate to mention! You can imagine the conversations a group of all women can get into. I would say any time we were able to all get out of the office together and relax, like our trip to the beach for our 20th anniversary. I love when we can get away from the stress of deadlines and connect with one another on a different level.
What is your proudest moment in the 10 years since Aragon has started?
“Wow, there have been so many. The first one that comes to mind is thinking about when we opened our first office (our headquarters!) in 2012. I am proud of this because when I started Aragon, I built an office in my garage–many of our first meetings happened in that garage!”
FAQ
How do companies celebrate anniversaries?
- Formal Event. Formal events are a great opportunity to celebrate those you don’t see at work every day. …
- Company Trivia Game. …
- Rebranded Logo. …
- Custom Corporate Gifts. …
- CEO Message. …
- Volunteer Day. …
- Fundraising for a Social Cause. …
- Employee Service Awards.
What are good questions to ask about the workplace?
- How would you describe the work environment? …
- What is your management style? …
- What are your company values? …
- What does work/life balance look like at your company? …
- What does growth and career development look like? …
- What three things do you need to succeed in this position?
