Ask a Private Lending Leader: Navigating Company Culture | Kevin Werner & Greg Hebner

Step into the Lender Lounge as Kevin Kim leads a conversation between two of the private lending industry’s best: Kevin Werner, CEO of Renovo Financial, and Greg Hebner, Managing Director at Arixa Capital. From building a reputation for their companies as desirable workplaces to the intricacies of hiring top-notch talent and truly understanding client needs, these leaders delve into the core elements that define success for their companies. They offer valuable lessons on fostering a positive work environment, attracting and retaining employees, and ultimately using these tools to become a leader in the space. It's a dialogue filled with insights that translate to practical strategies for growth and excellence and is a rare opportunity to gain a behind-the-scenes view of what makes these lending giants thrive.

Kevin Werner is Co-Founder and CEO of Renovo Financial, a Chicago-based lender that has received numerous Top Workplace awards from Inc., the Chicago Tribune, and others. He is a finance and real estate entrepreneur with 20 years’ experience developing successful lending and real estate companies, of which Renovo is no exception.

Greg Hebner is co-owner and Managing Director at Arixa Capital, an alternative investment management firm based in Los Angeles and Phoenix and one of the leading private lenders in the Western U.S. He is responsible for investment strategy, loan originations, and operations of Arixa’s vertically integrated lending platform. Under Greg’s leadership, the firm has developed long-term relationships with a substantial base of investors and borrowers, originating over $3.5 billion in loans across 1,700+ transactions. He has been an active real estate investor over the past 25 years, frequently speaks at industry events, and regularly teaches residential real estate investing courses at UCLA Extension’s Real Estate Program.

 

Key topics:

[00:01:02] Introduction to Kevin and Greg's backgrounds and experiences.

[00:07:09] Exploring why leadership, communication, and consistency are vital to success.

[00:12:10] Distinguishing between transactional borrowers and relationship-driven clients.

[00:20:19] How capital shapes product offerings with flexibility and creativity as keys to success.

[00:32:20] Unpacking Renovo's hybrid model, which combines its capital with funding sourced from relationships.

[00:39:12] How maintaining a solid reputation attracts top talent, and the importance of excelling with high-profile clients.

[00:48:25] The essential role of internal service in forging effective client relationships and ensuring organizational success.

[00:52:14] Strategies for creating a positive workplace culture that fosters pride, engagement, and team cohesion.

[00:55:56] The value of team bonding through retreats, especially in a hybrid work environment.

[01:02:28] The importance of weekly pep talks and personal engagement in fueling organizational success.

 

Links:

Learn more about Renovo Financial at https://renovofinancial.com/
Learn more about Arixa Capital at https://www.arixacapital.com/
Learn more about Geraci Law Firm at https://www.geracilawfirm.com
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