Lately I’ve been spotting more college kids around town — pushing lawnmowers, manning food trucks, knocking on doors for odd jobs. It’s classic summer hustle, and I love to see it. There’s something about those sweaty, scrappy, sun-up-to-sundown summer jobs that sticks with you. They remind me of one of the first real ventures I ever ran: a house painting business I started with my brother and a couple of friends back in college.
We were booking the jobs ourselves, estimating costs, buying supplies, and, of course, doing the painting. It was hard work — long days on ladders in the heat, with plenty of trial and error — but we took it seriously. Clients didn’t care that we were college kids. They cared that we showed up, did the job right, and left their house looking better than we found it.
In hindsight, it was the perfect training ground. It taught me to problem-solve in real time, communicate clearly, own mistakes, and deliver on what we promised. These are the same principles we bring to the work we do now at Napier Financial and GenWel Capital, whether it’s structuring a private lending deal or identifying the right fit for an alternative investment. The dollar amounts are bigger, sure. But the need for trust, diligence, and hands-on effort? That hasn’t changed.
Alternative investments are a lot like old houses — no two are exactly alike, and they usually require more prep work than you think. The same goes for private lending: it’s nuanced, relationship-driven, and deeply satisfying when done right. Just like painting a house, it’s about creating something solid and lasting — and knowing your effort made a real difference.
Now, with four kids at home (including a toddler who just turned one!) and GenWel recently celebrating its third anniversary, my summers look a little different. But watching the next generation of college kids getting after it has reminded me how much those early jobs can shape who you become — as a professional, and as a person.
So now I’m curious: what was your most memorable summer job? Any lessons that stuck with you? Any good stories? Or maybe you’ve got college kids of your own out there this summer, figuring it out as they go. We’d love to hear about it — drop us a note or tell us next time we talk. After all, every career starts somewhere… sometimes with a paintbrush in hand.
