Chicago, Illinois native Connor Mulvey is a finance professional with a proven track record of success managing multiple projects. He grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. He attended Loyola University Maryland for his undergraduate degree where he majored in Finance and Economics. During his time, he had the pleasure of interning at a major investment firm on Wall Street.
In 2014, Connor Mulvey officially kick started his career when he secured a position as a Junior Associate at The Genesis Group. There, his responsibility is to track and calculate the team’s spendings as well as overall performance. Entrusted with this task, Connor Mulvey shined in every aspect possible. He not only drastically improved the overall operations of the company, he also made a significant quality of life changes for the department.
In 2018, Connor Mulvey moved back to Chicago, Illinois, after his father did some persuading. He now helps his father in his business doing internal accounting. When he has free time, Connor plays piano, works out, or hangs out with friends, and exercises to stay in shape.
How did you get started in this business and what inspired you?
My dad has an MBA as do two of my uncles. Seeing the success of these strong male figures in my life definitely inspired me to excel in the professional environment. In addition, as soon as I started university, I fell in love with finance, economics, and trading. It soon became a lifelong passion and I never once felt like I was at work. It always felt like I was chasing my dreams and improving myself to be a better professional individual.
How do you make money?
There are several ways for me to acquire revenue actually. Being invested in the stock market, I analyze trends and see what lines of businesses are good or not good. I study business cycles and political trends as well, it’s a personal hobby of mine. I work about 40 to 50 hours a week, trying to make sound, conservative investments. I also have a side credit card processing business. When all these factors are combined, I essentially make money by studying the economy and making adjustments where necessary.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
The business definitely took awhile to grow. We were profitable by the third year. It took some time going through some growing pains, but we’re in a good place now. What is more important is that we learned from trial and error and we constantly asked ourselves how to improve. Whenever a process was ineffective, we would evaluate it internally and discard it. Whenever a process was effective, we would go through the same process of evaluation and determine how we can apply this effective process making to the rest of the company.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work, and how did you handle it?
I doubted it a couple of times in the very beginning. Just the cost of starting up a business in general, but also government regulations and licensing fees. Believing in our knowledge of the market, and the people on our team knowing the trends and direction the industry was taking. We knew we could help the needs of this industry and overcame any doubts there may have been.
How did you get your first customer?
I actually met my first customer while working out at the gym. During the course of our detailed conversation, I mentioned my line of business and turns out they were looking for someone in that role. He asked if I was interested in working with him, and his company has been one of our clients for four years now. We forged a strong, professional, and trusting relationship within the first few months. Not only that, he gave me a great testimonial that tremendously helped me advance in my career.
What is one marketing strategy other than referrals that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
I think using past successes as building blocks for current clients is key. Understanding that because we are a customer-oriented business, with all types of different industries, we learn something with each client. When our client knows that we understand their business, it puts them at ease and it creates value for them.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
It was probably cutting ties with a client that was making unreasonable demands. In this industry, we know what can be done and what can’t be done. I read up on finance and economics everyday, so I’m very informed about market trends. However, when a client demands something unreasonable and refuses to cooperate, we do not want to work with clients like that. The toughest decision was that the client had been struggling in his life. We did not want to stop assisting him, but the relationship turned sour so we ultimately had to cut ties.
What do you think makes you successful?
I believe in putting the clients first. I have a passion and drive to bring value to them which, in turn brings success for both of us. I think without a clear emphasis on client satisfaction, a business cannot hope to be successful.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
When I was with The Genesis Group, I was part of the team that closed a major deal with a revolving line of credit sales. Being involved in the process from start to finish was one of the greatest learning experiences I’ve ever had. Since then, I not only received a lot of recognition from the company, but I also began to climb the corporate ladder slowly but surely.
What does the future hold for your business, and what are each of you most excited about?
Continuing to grow and evolve year after year. The life science and biotech field isn’t going anywhere. We offer what few other companies specialize in. With the targeting of specific diseases with the skills that we have, that is the one thing that will separate us from the rest of the field.
What books have inspired you?
One would be The GE Way, by Jack Welch. He was a great leader and created an incredible company and the book is all about those leadership strategies he used.
What is a recent purchase that you’ve made to help with your business?
I would say that Quick Books Professional has helped. It’s made it easier for the external accountants to streamline things. It’s made things more transferable and transparent, and therefore just easier for all.