Matt Bauer
- Co-Founder
- 12 South Capital Partners
School Information
School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and MBA at London Business School
College Major: Engineering
Years at College Works: 2004
Career Information
Working For: 12 South Capital Partners
Title: Co-Founder
Industry: Finance
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
Invest in strong businesses, exceptional people, and commercial real estate.
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting taught me how to cold call and sell – a skill that few have!
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
College Works Painting gave me the opportunity to lead teams. I put those experiences immediately to work once in the Army. I also learned how to manage a diverse group of stakeholders and that skill is valuable today.
What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?
“I remember several specific clients. I think my most memorable is a lady who painted her old Victorian home hot pink and purple. In general, my clients knew they were taking a bit of a gamble on me and paying a premium, but they did so for a good product and to shape my future.”
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
Build a good team and they will take care of you.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
I’ve done a pretty poor job at staying in touch although I do try to follow people on social media.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
College Works Painting – painting homes and shaping leaders
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Don’t be satisfied with your current sales and production numbers. You should set unrealistic but physically attainable targets and go for them.
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
An internship with College Works Painting provides interns with leadership experience and real world project management experience. These skills are directly transferable to their target industry.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
“I came to business school with a mechanical engineering degree and work experience from the Army. I switched function, industry and geography (said by many to be extremely difficult) while here — twice! My advice would be that if you want something then go for it whole heartedly and don’t get down. It takes time and effort. Also, realize that you need a certain benchmark to get past the HR folk to real decision makers.”
Last words of wisdom?
Set you sights high. Talk to people that have walked the walk and go for it!