Symbotic’s Post

When you get to work with your own daughter... Sure, I've seen my daughter Chase Carpenter in action. I've seen how her smile and positive energy can draw people in. I've watched her rally groups of young women, whether it's for pure fun and community development, or it's for a purpose-driven event, meant to move the needle. She's an organized, efficient, and magnetic leader. So you may imagine my pride getting to work alongside her this past summer at The Lola. The Lola is a vibrant, women's community space where I've been co-working for the past year and a half. I've also contributed some work to The LOLA team, helping Dana Xavier Dojnik with project management processes and content marketing; starting and co-leading a weekly accountability group with Melissa Uppelschoten, now led by superstar Qiana Avery, SHRM-CP; and co-facilitating the monthly, in-person Founders & Freelancers group with the incomparable energy-shifter Kafi London. In short, being part of The LOLA community has been my jam. When The LOLA accepted Chase as an intern last spring, I knew she'd fit right in. She understood the assignment: to help support the powerful network of inclusive, female entrepreneurs and women in business who want to build a life and career in which we are constantly growing, thriving and succeeding. It's exciting to see young women realize and embrace their own power. It makes me wish I knew what they already know when I was in my 20s! But it was a different time and we were ALL different people. :) I'm excited to keep my focus on what's ahead for all of us. Because women - young, mid-life and wise - will change the world. Established women in business and emerging female leaders: if you haven't felt it yet, lean in. And lean in HARD, because our time is NOW. #WomenInBusiness #FemaleLeadership #NextGenLeaders #MotherDaughterTeam #EmpowerWomen #WomenSupportingWomen #CommunityLeadership #FemaleEntrepreneurs #MentorshipMatters #TheLOLA #WomenWhoLead #CareerGrowth #InclusiveLeadership #YoungLeaders #WomenEmpowerment

Next on ✨ deck ✨for Employee Spotlight is Xavier Deck. He’s been at Whitley for one month now, serving as an intake consultant. When he’s not at work, Xavier likes to watch movies, read, run, and hang out with his friends and family. The next time you see Xavier, ask him about his internship in San Diego, where he helped train professional athletes like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. We’re glad to have you on board, Xavier! #lawfirm #legalteam #employeespotlight #personalinjurylawyer

Having interns with you, even for a short period, is always worthwhile and works both ways. Making time and space for the next generation can be as illuminating for you as it is for them. Here's a lovely short blog from our most recent intern, Robert Getley, whose career progress we will follow with interest!

Roth IRA Signing Day always marks concluding ceremonies for the Fairhaven Summer Internship Program. A special bonus goes to each intern so they can put learning into action by funding their very own Roth IRA. Their summer schedule is chock full. We always start slow by learning to rise from our seats to greet someone with a firm handshake (no joke, that lesson is required on Day One every single summer...stand...make eye contact...and smile, for crying out loud!) From there we progress to learn about small caps, rebalancing, REITs, covered calls, tax-efficiency, high yield bonds, podcasting, mortgages, the 415 limit, etc. They also spend time outside the office on professional Field Trips to visit some of the extended members of the Fairhaven circle; CPA firms, institutional bond shops, ETF powerhouses and the office of the Mayor of the City of Wheaton. We even expose them to attorneys (How many lawyer jokes are there? Actually only three. The rest are all true.) Thank you very much to our enthusiastic partners (and please forgive me if I missed someone)! John Schmidt David Sherlock, CIMA® Daniel Gasper Bret Solnoki, CIMA Jonathan Root Jeff Fox Mike Graveline Greg Lutzen Michael Lewis, CFP® Matthew Bernardi Thomas Bernardi, CFA, CIPM Peter Drebos David Gonzalez Gus Holland Helen Demsher, CPA Austin Kight Vickie Austin Ron Austin, CPA Phil Suess John Radzinski, CFA, CAIA Meg Goodman Mark Long Mike Flaherty Robert Merrell 1) Silk-screeened IRA and Roth IRA baseball hats: $5.75 2) Jimmy John's office lunch: $187.45 3) Teaching young people the power of financial planning, the importance of taking action and having some fun: PRICELESS #bestinternshipever #themoreyouknow #rothira #thankuslater

Thanks, Darren Cao

As a parent, there are moments that fill your heart with pride and a touch of nostalgia. Today, I experienced one of those moments when I saw my son Jake Childers pop up on my LinkedIn feed, celebrating their internship Blue Trust. Watching them grow, learn, and now step into the professional world is incredibly rewarding. It feels like just yesterday they were taking their first steps, and now they’re making strides in their career. This journey has been filled with countless lessons, both for them and for me. Here are a few reflections: 1.    Embrace Change: Seeing your child transition from the classroom to the workplace is a reminder that change is constant and growth is inevitable. Embrace it with open arms. 2.    Celebrate Small Wins: Every accomplishment, no matter how small, is a step forward. Celebrate these moments to build confidence and momentum. 3.    Mentorship Matters: Encourage them to seek mentors and also be one yourself. Sharing experiences and insights can make a significant difference in their journey. 4.    Stay Curious: The world is evolving rapidly. Encourage them to stay curious and keep learning, adapting to new challenges and opportunities. 5.    Support and Trust: As they embark on their career path, your support and trust in their abilities mean the world to them. Be their biggest cheerleader. To all the parents out there witnessing similar milestones, let’s cherish these moments and continue to guide our children as they make their mark in the world. And to Jake Childers, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Here’s to many more achievements and learning experiences ahead! 🌟 #ProudParent #NextGeneration #InternshipJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #Milestones

6 useful personal behaviors I’ve instilled during my Woodson Equity internship thus far. 1. Arrive before everyone else; using that quiet time to get settled and focused. Being ready to go as my colleagues arrive sets a productive tone for my day. 2. Breaking my day into hour-long segments. Tracking my activities this way helps me maximize tasks and maintain productivity throughout the day. 3. Use Excel to log my tasks and progress, ensuring everything is organized and easy to follow. Regularly give situational reports my current status on taskers. The work I input into software is almost anonymous, helping my team stay aligned on ongoing projects and responsibilities. 4. Further my connections both in and outside the office. For instance, during my summer I was selected for jury duty in the Northern District Court of Illinois, I met amazing individuals, some whose paths have since crossed with mine during my daily commute. Our mutual commonality in being veterans and working in finance truly demonstrates the power of maintaining connections in unexpected places. 5. Take detailed notes during meetings, tracking key conversations, and sharing those thoughts with my leadership. Asking questions will uncover valuable insights and develop a deeper internship experience. 6. When communicating electronically, always aim for clarity, conciseness, and professionalism. Avoid poor habits like using overly casual language, or unclear phrasing. Review emails and messages to ensure they reflect my best self and convey my thoughts effectively. I’m glad to be apart of this team of skilled individuals while still unraveling so much to learn. #TheWoodsonWay #PrivateEquity #InsideAnInternship

To my students and former students who want to work in sports, especially: 1. It’s never too late to start. 2. The timing of your first break or internship does not matter. I did my internship with the 76ers, which led to more than six years and a promotion there, almost 18 months after receiving my undergrad degree. 3. In this business in particular, hustle, grind, and ask what else you can do above any job description. Get noticed and don’t let anyone outwork you. 4. Ask questions, be curious and I don’t care what position you are working toward, sharpen and improve your writing and content skills. 5. Network and don’t be afraid to ask for help. When I worked for the 76ers, Pat Croce once told me something I never forgot: “if you don’t ask, the answer is ‘no.’” It’s the equivalent of “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and it’s absolutely true. 6. If you want to work in PR, social media, be a coach or whatever, find your way into a sports organization any way you can, even if it means doing something that may not align with your long-term goals. For example, I spent two and a half years in the ticket office, which allowed me to learn that side of the business, how a sports team is run and I interacted with everyone in the organization because everyone needs tickets. #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #networking

Get to know our team! Today we are featuring Lucas Greenberg our summer intern from Case Western Reserve University! What do you do at UH Ventures in one sentence? - I've been interning with Matthew Zenker and the new UH Haslam Sports Innovation Center with their incoming deal flow. I research, analyze, and compile a variety of data and information to assess sports-medicine and health companies/markets to help accelerate and invest in them. I'm also working on the upcoming SportsLand event with Patricia Colella, MBA, by helping out in all areas of event management. What are your favorite things to do outside of school? - I love to exercise and try new workouts, but more importantly, I love to eat. During COVID, I began cooking and baking as a way to unwind; I try to make a meal four times a week. My favorite dish to make is my grandfather’s shrimp and pea risotto. Favorite binge-worthy TV show? - The Office. I have seen The Office over five times and I can quote certain scenes by heart! What is your favorite restaurant in Cleveland? - Batuqui; a fun Brazilian summer dinner spot. What do you love about Cleveland? - I was born and raised all around Cleveland, and throughout my time, there has been one constant: the people. Everyone from Cleveland has a unique and inspiring story, and I love meeting people from around the world. #Internship #HealthTech #Innovation #EventManagement #Innovation #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #Cleveland