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Kazem, Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital: Advize Career Interview
Kazem, Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, offers a compelling career narrative deviating from traditional finance pathways.
A management consulting stint at Deloitte followed by a role at The Najafi Companies, demonstrates the value of unconventional routes.
The interview reveals a fast-paced, unpredictable life as a managing partner, demanding resilience, curiosity, and a strong network.
A key takeaway is the importance of prioritizing the right investment opportunities over simply securing deals, a lesson learned through numerous rejections.
The interview highlights the significance of the Invest in Banking Industry Scholars program at Syracuse University (and WP Carey, according to Kazem) for launching a successful finance career, even from a non-target school.
Kazem's Lebanese heritage instilled an underdog mentality that fueled their persistent drive.
The interview offers invaluable insights into the private equity industry, emphasizing the diverse skills needed for success, from deal structuring to networking, and showcases the rewarding aspect of learning from a multitude of entrepreneurs.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kazem Harfouche
Managing Partner
Cedar Crest Capital
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Finance
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
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Career Path of a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital
Kazem's career path deviated from the traditional investment banking route to private equity, instead choosing management consulting at Deloitte after realizing a program at Syracuse University, while "amazing," lacked operational insights. This unconventional approach, focusing on private equity consulting, ultimately led to an investment team role at The Najafi Companies, demonstrating that a direct trajectory isn't always necessary for career success.
Main Responsibilities of a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital
As Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, a "smaller, newer firm," Kazem's responsibilities are multifaceted, encompassing "meeting with entrepreneurs," "reviewing investment opportunities," conducting due diligence and deal structuring, and extensive networking to secure new business. This highlights a dynamic role demanding broad skills in finance and business development within a rapidly growing private investment firm.
A Day in the Life of a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital
A managing partner's day is highly unpredictable; "every day is very different," with no set schedule and a workload demanding "very late nights, very early mornings," depending on whether a live opportunity is being pursued. The lack of routine reflects the dynamic nature of the investment profession.
Most Important Skills for a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital
Kazem, a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, emphasizes resilience as crucial, stating that "you're gonna get a lot of nos," requiring adaptability and persistence to navigate setbacks. Equally vital is curiosity, enabling discovery of "a lot of different investment opportunities" and maximizing success in the dynamic investment industry.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Managing Partner At Cedar Crest Capital
Kazem, Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, most enjoys the daily variety of the role, stating that "every day is very different". This involves meeting "amazing entrepreneurs" and learning from their diverse experiences, making the position feel like "I'm back at school, I'm learning something new".
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital
Kazem, Managing Partner at the young Cedar Crest Capital, identifies the biggest challenge as balancing a high volume of deal opportunities with the current lean team structure; the firm is at an "inflection point" needing to decide when to expand beyond part-time help and bring on full-time staff.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Private Equity Industry as a Managing Partner
Kazem, Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, finds the private equity industry most enjoyable because it reveals "all different ways people make money," offering a unique business education and exposure to incredible entrepreneurial stories. This has broadened Kazem's understanding of diverse industries and their potential, highlighting the impact of "drive, resilience," and opportunity.
What Type of Person Thrives in Private Equity According to a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital
To thrive in private equity, resilience is paramount because "you're gonna be told no a billion times," necessitating adaptability and a curious mindset to quickly analyze diverse industries and assess deal viability without getting bogged down in details. This requires a conceptual understanding, not deep expertise, in any specific sector, allowing for efficient decision-making within the demanding environment.
What A Managing Partner At Cedar Crest Capital Wishes They Knew Before Entering Private Equity
Kazem, a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, reveals a key lesson learned: deal activity varies significantly between private equity firms, with some focusing on fewer, high-quality investments while others pursue a higher volume. This necessitates a shift in mindset from simply wanting "to get your first closing down," to prioritizing "the right investment opportunity," a crucial aspect of developing a skilled investor's toolkit.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Managing Partners
Entry-level private equity roles for undergraduates are "extremely rare," with the most common route involving two years in investment banking at a "good investment bank" followed by recruitment into a private equity associate position. Private equity firms prefer candidates with prior experience, as Kazem explains, because they "don't have time to teach you all the stuff" learned at the analyst level in investment banking.
Significant Career Lesson From A Managing Partner At Cedar Crest Capital
Kazem, a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, emphasizes two crucial career lessons: "resilience," citing 14 rejections before securing a position, and the importance of being "a good person, a nice person," highlighting the power of interpersonal relationships in professional success.
College Experiences That Helped A Managing Partner At Cedar Crest Capital Succeed
Kazem, a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital, credits the "Invest in Banking Industry Scholars" program at Syracuse University as the most impactful aspect of their undergraduate experience, calling it a "phenomenal program" and a "bootcamp" that provided invaluable networking skills, ultimately opening many doors in their finance career. This program's focus on networking proved crucial for success, even attending a "non-target school" for many finance firms.
How Identity Has Influenced a Managing Partner at Cedar Crest Capital's Career
Kazem's Lebanese heritage instilled a strong "underdog mentality," fueled by parental expectations and the success of the Lebanese-American community, which propelled their career. This mindset, cultivated from being "the youngest" and attending a "non-target university," became a driving force, shaping their journey to founding Cedar Crest Capital and maintaining a persistent drive.
Advizer Personal Links
cedarcrestcap.com
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