Rodney Schwartz
We are currently recruiting for staff in origination, execution and distribution. Also, any members who wish to be involved in any way in the capital raising process for social entrepreneurs are welcome to get in touch and find out how they can help. We have deployed many professionals on a part time basis--both at a fee, and on a pro bono basis. The tasks could include:mentoring social enterprisesassisting on deal executionassisting on transaction marketingworking on business plans and pitch trainingIf anyone would like to get in touch, please contact us at recruitment@clearlyso.com
Rod Schwartz builds social investment bank
After 15 years in the wilderness, journeying from investment banking through to venture capital, I eventually came to find that what I wanted to do was transfer my skills into the social business, enterprise and investment sector.
How I can help Esc members
We are currently recruiting for staff in origination, execution and distribution. Also, any members who wish to be involved in any way in the capital raising process for social entrepreneurs are welcome to get in touch and find out how they can help. We have deployed many professionals on a part time basis - both at a fee, and on a pro-bono basis. The tasks could include:
- mentoring social enterprises
- assisting on deal execution
- assisting on transaction marketing
- working on business plans and pitch training
If anyone would like to get in touch, please contact us at recruitment@clearlyso.com" rel="nofollow">recruitment@clearlyso.com
Currently...
I run a business called http://www.clearlyso.com/" rel="nofollow">ClearlySo, which is an investment bank helping social entrepreneurs and impact investment funds to raise capital.
Apart from the normal internal meetings, I spend every day meeting inspiring social entrepreneurs and engaging with socially minded institutional and High Net Worth Individual investors.
Before I escaped...
Started my professional life as an equity reserach analyst with PaineWebber, analysing the US financial services industry. Came to London and ran Lehman's equities business in Europe, before moving to Paribas to run their Financial Institutions business on the corporate finance side. I left the City in 1997 to found Catalyst Fund Management & Research Ltd., an FSA regulated VC business focused on the financial sector.
My moment of truth...
Never had one. My path was a slow painful trip from the world of investment banking.
I had a hard time figuring out what I wanted to do, but had clarity on what I was NOT enjoying. I grew less enamoured of US style investment banks, so went to Paribas.
I did not enjoy corporate finance and founded a VC firm. VC in the financial sector did not appeal as did doing something social, which led to ClearlySo.
During this journey I got involved in different things: charity, politics, consulting and social business (as Chair of JustGiving) - the latter is where I decided to stay.
Planning for it...
I made it up as I went along and kept praying it would all work out. It looks like it may have worked out.
The worst and best bits...
Worst things:
- Uncertainty, both from a career and financial perspective, has been the hardest to deal with.
- Also, although I am hoping the gap will close, social entrepreneurs make MUCH less than investment bankers, equity analysts or VCs.
Best things:
- Doing what I want to do and enjoy doing has been energising, as has feeling as if I am on the cutting edge of an exciting new area.
- Also, I am really proud of what I do and feel it is interesting and has a positive impact on society, which was not the case in investment banking.
- Furthermore, I have a team around me that I have put in place and whose values I share.
- Finally, my schedule is now flexible. As a result, over the last 15 years, I have had the privilege of seeing my four children grow up - this would never have been the case in IBK, certainly not to this extent. I found the sacrifices along those lines were just too great.
Best advice...
From Paul Manduca, a great fund manager and CEO of fund management companies. He urged me to see myself in the mirror as others see me, not as I would like others to see me, or how I would like to see myself.
I may think I want to be, or that I am, some sort of European social enterprise crusader. When others look at me they see an American-born investment banker. I can turn what I am to good use, but a leopard cannot really change its spots.
Useful resources and information...
Great literature always inspires and was instructive along the way.