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Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career path, beginning with foundational finance and accounting roles at PwC and Deloitte, led to the CEO position at IRR Investments.
This journey highlights the continuous learning process, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with smart people, being open-minded, and exceeding expectations.
The interview reveals a multifaceted career encompassing consulting for small businesses, managing fitness studios and a hospitality company, and even incorporating self-care strategies into a demanding schedule.
Success, according to the CEO, requires a positive attitude, initiative, strong networking skills, resilience, and adaptability, all while prioritizing impactful work and valuing the lessons learned from both triumphs and failures.
The ability to pivot and embrace flexibility is key, suggesting entry-level roles in accounting or finance as potential stepping stones to a rewarding and varied career.
The CEO's experiences underscore the importance of mentorship, proactive engagement, and a willingness to embrace diverse opportunities, all while maintaining a strong work-life balance.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jessica Thumati
CEO
IRR Investments
University of Arizona
N/A
Business & Related, Finance, Accounting
Entrepreneur
Finance
None Applicable
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Career Path Of A Small Business Owner
Jessica's career path, beginning with finance and accounting degrees, involved early experiences at PwC and Deloitte, where "surrounding yourself with smart people and being open-minded" proved invaluable. After realizing a preference for smaller businesses, the CEO of IRR Investments now focuses on serving them, highlighting a continuous learning process where "the education piece never stops."
Main Responsibilities of an Advisory CFO Consultant for Small Businesses
Jessica, CEO of IRR Investments, wears many hats, acting as a CFO advisory consultant to small businesses where the role is "the whole gamut," from daily finance and strategy to sales and product development, and simultaneously managing their own fitness studios and hospitality company, requiring "all hands on deck" in areas ranging from sales and partnerships to operations and human resources. This multifaceted approach leverages Jessica's finance background while providing a dynamic, engaging career path.
A Day in the Life of a CEO at IRR Investments
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, describes a typical day as a dynamic blend of early morning urgent email checks, "never ending job" of parenting, and self-care strategies like exercise and meditation to maintain "a hundred percent capacity." The workday itself is a mix of client meetings, managing businesses, and working remotely, even from "the volleyball court," demonstrating the constant demands and flexibility required, while emphasizing the importance of self-education and acknowledging the blurring lines between work and personal life inherent in business ownership.
Most Important Skills For A CEO At IRR Investments
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, emphasizes a positive attitude, exceeding expectations ("do a little bit extra"), and initiative as crucial skills. The ability to be open-minded, actively listen to others' perspectives, and learn from them is equally vital for success in their leadership role, illustrating a growth mindset developed through experience.
Favorite Parts Of Being A CEO At IRR Investments
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, finds the "variety" in her role most enjoyable, stating that monotonous work is not for them. This variety, coupled with the ability to "make an impact and add value," are key aspects that drive Jessica's career satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A CEO At IRR Investments
Jessica, CEO of IRR Investments, identifies time constraints as the biggest challenge in their role, juggling multiple businesses and a demanding client base while being a single mother. This necessitates a constant search for efficiency, implementing systems, automating tasks, and employing life hacks to manage both professional and personal demands, highlighting the interconnectedness of work and life for a business owner, as they strive for solutions in a constantly busy schedule.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Investment Industry as a CEO
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, finds the most rewarding aspect of her diverse portfolio—spanning skincare, fitness studios, and hospitality—to be "changing lives," whether through impactful skincare discoveries or simply providing excellent customer service and positive experiences. This focus on improving the lives of others, even in small ways, is the driving force behind Jessica's career across multiple industries.
Who Thrives In Business Ownership According To An IRR Investments CEO
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, highlights the importance of resilience ("getting up and dusting that dust off your shoulder") and adaptability ("knowing when to push that door and when to close it") in business ownership. Further, strong networking skills are crucial, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of helping others ("the more that you help others, you will get that back tenfold").
What a CEO at IRR Investments Wishes They Knew Before Entering the Finance and Accounting Industry
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, wishes someone had emphasized the industry's flexibility, advising that "it is totally okay to change careers and to pivot and move around," unlike the "forever" mindset often presented. This openness allowed a successful career trajectory leveraging accounting and finance skills into diverse areas like sales and marketing, showcasing the value of adaptability and rejecting self-imposed limitations.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Jessica, CEO of IRR Investments, emphasizes the importance of aligning with mentors and enjoying the work, suggesting entry-level roles in accounting or finance to gain foundational experience, as she did. The executive also advocates for proactive, entrepreneurial experience—"just get going"—highlighting the valuable lessons learned from failures, stating, "you will not learn as much from your successes and wins. You'll learn so much more from your failures."
Significant Career Lesson From A CEO At IRR Investments
Jessica, CEO of IRR Investments, emphasizes the significant impact of networking, stating that "you never know who you can help and you never know who can help you." This includes leveraging personal connections for both professional opportunities and even matchmaking, as well as using employee referrals to build trust and confidence in the hiring process.
College Experiences That Helped a CEO at IRR Investments Succeed
Jessica, CEO at IRR Investments, emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement during undergraduate studies, stating "I was always working," juggling multiple jobs, internships, and entrepreneurial ventures like house flipping and stock trading. This multifaceted approach, combined with a focus on networking and mentorship—both giving and receiving—helped build a strong foundation for their successful career.
How Identity Has Influenced a CEO at IRR Investments' Career
Jessica's journey as a working mother significantly shaped their career path, requiring a shift from a demanding CFO role to more flexible positions to better balance work and family; this ultimately led them to their current CEO position, proving that while "you can't do it all," adaptability and prioritizing needs at different life stages can lead to success, even if it looks different than initially planned.
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