Money managing master

“IF AN opportunity comes and you are not prepared, it is not an opportunity.” Jason Julien, a 28-year-old Business Development Manager at Guardian Holdings (in the corporate finance field) responsible for mergers and acquisitions, knows what he’s talking about. The doors keep opening for him. He is currently employed with one of the largest financial services group in the Caribbean, and also focuses on building the private equity business (investing shareholders’ money in energy sector projects) for the group. As he puts it, “Finance is the practice of manipulating and managing money. Accounting is a system or knowledge for recording transactions, and the assets and profitability of a company.” Jason who recently maried Camille,  is one of three sons raised in a single-parent home. His mother, Carol, a public servant, had limited financial resources but instilled in her sons the “riches” of morals, values and working for what you want to achieve. To Jason, his mother is an exemplar.

“Seeing someone who you consider a mature person going to school to do their degree is a motivator,” he said. “If she could do it, who de hell is me? She would constantly tell us: ‘Never box yourself in. Do not ever think that you cannot do something. You can achieve anything once you work at it. As regards to exams, men create an exam, so men could beat it. That same philosophy holds for everything in life. Once you know in your mind it is possible, then you can do it.’” Jason attended Queen’s Royal College from 1987-1994 and when it was time to choose his CXC subjects, he was indecisive. With a love for business and sciences, he took exams for both and got distinctions in the business and credits in the science. He stuck with business and went on to do A’ Levels. “I then thought about doing management studies at UWI, but wondered how the fees would be paid,” he said.

“I signed up and did the scholarship exam. With UWI’s exam only the  top two students are awarded, and I had no thoughts about being one of those chosen two at all — I just did the exam and hoped for the best. But I remember one Saturday I got a call from someone from UWI and they asked me to come down immediately. Frightened, I received a letter and instantaneously, I thought they were throwing me out (it was only the first week of classes)! So I was walking out when the worker stopped me and asked if I was not opening it. Really, I didn’t want to embarrass myself in case I had to cry at the news (laughter). I said I would open it downstairs.” Of course, he opened the letter (with some persuasion from the woman) and skimmed through it. His eyes rested on “SCHOLARSHIP” in bold letters. “I double checked my name and address to ensure I was not dreaming!” he said with a laugh. “This was God’s work. He must have a plan, so let me take this thing seriously, be a good steward. God gave me a brain; let me try and use it to the best of my ability.”

Jason received a full scholarship for his tenure at UWI which covered his books, tuition, accommodation on campus and spending money. He got involved in social activities, acting club and was elected into the Student Guild as Treasurer. He graduated as Class Valedictorian in 1997. Mission accomplished, he directed his energies towards the corporate finance field and, with a first degree from UWI, he was employed with PriceWaterhouse Coopers earning $1,500 a month for office duties such as faxing, photocopying, punching and binding. “This was hard, knowing I had a degree and this was the salary I was getting. Nevertheless, I made a decision to accept it, because the benefit of training and experience was derived.” An enthusiastic Julien moved up pretty quickly at PriceWaterhouse Coopers  — in three years time he was Senior Corporate Finance Consultant, before quitting the firm. He then worked for two years at CitiGroup as manager for mergers and acquisitions and asset-based finance, before moving to his present job at Guardian Holdings.

His ultimate dream is to reach as high as possible up the corporate ladder and run a large corporate group, eventually branching off into his own business. Through his travels throughout the Caribbean and other parts of the world he has made international contacts and conducted international business on behalf of Guardian Holdings. He has also earned his qualification as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is preparing for his final exam for a Master of Business Administration degree. Jason is also president of the local CFA Society, a member of Necessary Arts, and a mentor to youths via the Nova Committee, a sub-committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce. “They have a programme called JumpStart, and in that programme they mentor youths,” he said excitedly. “They structure a programme for people coming out of school who may have gone to the less prestigious secondary schools and take time to bring them into their offices, give them internships, sit down and chat with them.

“ In my role as a mentor, I often urge youths to find a purpose and a sense of identity. I tell them to get good guidance, to seek someone who can be trusted to be their mentor, like me. Pick up the phone! Find out what you want to know about a particular field. Research what is available. Talk to a lot of people. Have the enthusiasm and energy behind it. Do every thing you have to do with your best effort, excellently, even if it is filing or shredding paper. In the first place, you would not be able to identify it as an opportunity. You will only find opportunities when you are prepared for it. Stock up on the qualifications, right character and development to be ready to take advantage of any opportunity that shows itself. No matter where life takes me, I am prepared for the opportunities.”