Career Path of a President and Owner at Hiller Enterprise
Michael's entrepreneurial journey began before college, significantly shaped by leadership roles in college fraternities and internships. Following corporate banking and real estate experiences where Michael witnessed "the world from the top" and a subsequent accounting education, Michael transitioned to a top 20 accounting firm before ultimately launching a firm focused on client education and growth in 2015, driven by a desire to create "cost and change."
Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Career Pivoting, Real Estate
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michael Hiller
President/Owner
Hiller Enterprise, Inc.
University of Arizona 2011 & UCLA Extension 2015
UCLA Extension 2015
Communications, Accounting
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Real Estate
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. He started his entrepreneurial journey even before college, demonstrating early ambition and initiative.
2. He leveraged internships and leadership roles in college (like his role in Sammy Sigma fraternity and programs like Blue Chip and Atlas) to build his foundation in entrepreneurship and mentorship.
3. He actively adapted to economic changes and pursued further education (accounting and real estate license) to gain expertise and transition between roles in corporate banking, real estate, and finally, establishing his own firm in 2015, showing resilience and adaptability in his career path.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
My entrepreneurial career path started earlier than college. In college, I became a leader and mentor, finding my identity. I started my undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona, which allowed me to grow.
Being away from home in Los Angeles, I recharged with the fraternity Sammy Sigma. I honed my skills as the recruitment chair and mentored students and professionals. Internships with the college leadership programs, Blue Chip and Atlas, gave me a foundation in entrepreneurship.
After graduation, I expanded my horizons and honed my skills. I knew the economic recession was just the beginning, as it is again. The next decade required me to make moves.
I moved from corporate banking, working on foreclosures, bankruptcy, and evictions. I saw the world from the top and was not pleased; someone had to do something. I told myself I would turn my obstacles into an opportunity to be a game-changer.
First, I had to do studies. I chose accounting afterward at UCLA Extension, while also working on my real estate license. When the massive layoff era happened, I did not hesitate.
I moved to the next real estate firm, doing leasing, property management, and investments. I honed my skills again, learning more about clients and the market. From the ground up, I realized things were a leap of changes.
When I graduated again as an alumnus at UCLA Extension, I made my way to a top 20 accounting firm where I truly found my calling. I immediately left and began working in 2015 on my passion. It was a firm that educates clients and provides them with the necessary growth.
So much of our world is half-assed, with no compassion, just dollars. I believed in myself and my firm to be cost-effective and change that.