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Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners: Advize Career Interview
A journey from Midwest small-town roots to Wall Street and beyond, this individual's career is a testament to proactive engagement and embracing challenges.
Early internships in commercial underwriting and M&A laid a strong foundation, followed by entrepreneurial exploration culminating in co-founding Auxo Partners.
The role demands diverse skills: financial modeling, storytelling, and—most importantly—empathy.
A day involves sales optimization, networking, team management, and content creation, all while navigating the unique challenges of selling a novel product in a competitive market.
Success hinges on "standing up for yourself," building strong relationships, and a willingness to learn continuously.
The interview reveals valuable insights for aspiring professionals, highlighting the importance of networking, self-starting, and understanding the multifaceted nature of building a successful business, from sales and marketing to legal and financial strategy.
This career path offers a dynamic mix of high-stakes finance, entrepreneurial energy, and building a thriving team culture.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Connor Frischmeyer
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Auxo Partners
University of Iowa 2016
N/A
Finance
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
None Applicable
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Career Path Of A Co-Founder And Managing Partner At Auxo Partners
Connor's career trajectory began with focused effort in college, leading to internships in commercial underwriting and M&A at Lincoln International in Chicago, where the experience "taught a ton, mostly about the value of just showing up and saying yes". This led to a full-time role, a transfer to San Francisco, and the eventual founding of Auxo Partners after a period of freelance consulting and entrepreneurial exploration.
Main Responsibilities Of A Co-Founder And Managing Partner At Auxo Partners
Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners, focuses on "sales and marketing" and "hiring and culture," having shifted from initial responsibilities like "day-to-day financial management" and investor deck preparation. This evolution reflects Auxo's work advising startups on financial optimization and capital raising, with Connor actively using tools like Crunchbase to drive sales and build a team possessing "big company investment banking, private equity type skillset" adapted for startups.
A Day In The Life Of A Co-Founder And Managing Partner At Auxo Partners
A day for Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners, "varies quite a bit," but consistently includes optimizing outbound sales strategies using tools like apollo.io, networking with venture capitalists and other founders, and managing the team by ensuring "they have all the tools they need." Additional time is dedicated to hiring, SEO, content creation, and developing founder-focused finance courses.
Most Important Skills for a Co-Founder at Auxo Partners
Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners, highlights that while technical skills like "financial modeling" and "storytelling" are crucial, the most important skill for a founder is empathy, enabling stronger relationships with clients and team members to optimize effectiveness and messaging. This prioritization of empathy underscores the importance of understanding and serving others' needs in building a successful business.
Favorite Parts of Being a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Auxo Partners
Connor's favorite aspect of being a founder is "building the team and thinking about the culture," drawing on "favorite people" from past experiences. The sales aspect also appeals to Connor, allowing for diverse industry exposure and knowledge accumulation, which is beneficial for future opportunities.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Co-Founder And Managing Partner At Auxo Partners
Connor's biggest challenge as Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners is sales, describing it as "the singular, most important thing" for a startup, especially when selling a "something that doesn't exist" and competing against established brands. Successfully navigating this challenge, by deeply understanding customer needs and effectively communicating value, is key to startup success, representing "80% of a startup".
Favorite Parts of Working in the Startup Industry as a Co Founder and Managing Partner
Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners, finds the inherent excitement of the startup industry most rewarding, enjoying "the energy" and "so many moving pieces". Connor's skillset in bringing order to chaotic environments and guiding startups strategically is highly valued, a direct contrast to Connor's previous roles in investment banking and private equity where such contributions were less visible.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Startups According To A Co-Founder And Managing Partner At Auxo Partners
Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners, highlights the importance of being a "self-starter" who is willing to "jump in and learn new things" in the startup world, where roles are undefined and impact is amplified. Success in sales, particularly within startups, requires empathy and the ability to adapt messaging based on learning from past conversations.
What A Founder At Auxo Partners Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Startup Industry
Connor, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners, wished they had a "roadmap for how to navigate" the numerous aspects of business beyond finance, such as sales, legal, and marketing, before entering the industry; this lack of knowledge is a common experience for first-time founders. The experience inspired Connor to work on developing a program to help others avoid similar pitfalls by providing guidance on various business aspects, from go-to-market strategies to legal and financial requirements.
Entry-level positions for aspiring finance professionals
Entry-level positions in Connor's field include internships or analyst roles assisting with materials, often found at larger companies (50+ employees) where "you'll have one manager" providing close mentorship. Connor's own path involved investment banking, which built "credibility, network, and skillset," proving crucial for Auxo Partners' success.
Significant Career Lesson From a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Auxo Partners
A significant career lesson for the Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners is "standing up for yourself," a skill crucial for both navigating corporate environments and confidently leading a company; the ability to project self-assurance, even when unsure, combined with honesty about one's knowledge and leveraging strengths, proves invaluable for success.
College Experiences That Helped A Co-Founder And Managing Partner At Auxo Partners Succeed
Connor's success stems from actively engaging in the university community, developing strong relationships, and pushing their comfort zone by taking on challenging roles like "TAing" and leading the business fraternity. This experience built valuable skills such as public speaking—crucial for their current career in finance—and fostered "grit," demonstrating the importance of proactive engagement and embracing discomfort in undergraduate studies.
How Identity Has Influenced a Co-Founder and Managing Partner's Career at Auxo Partners
Connor's Midwest upbringing and small-town roots, combined with experiences in high-pressure environments like Wall Street and San Francisco, taught the Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Auxo Partners to "lean into what makes you unique," fostering "candid relationships" that proved invaluable to their career. This approach, characterized by a Midwestern "charm and friendliness," allowed Connor to build strong professional networks and stand out in competitive fields.
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