Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in financial services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jason DeLorenzo, Principal Owner of Ad Deum Funds, LLC., located in South Riding, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ad Deum Funds is a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm based in northern VA. We specialize in controlling risk through the use of derivative products. In addition, we have a monthly newsletter service and dashboards giving useful and novel option metrics to help inform investing decisions.
Tell us about yourself
I am an economist by trade. A major part of economics is identifying inefficiencies and either rectifying them or exploiting them. In my reading and study back in the 2009-2010 timeframe, I was attracted to the inefficiencies that the options market poses and decided to delve deeper. After a while of study and a few lessons at the School of Hard Knocks, I started contributing to message boards about more efficient ways to trade certain theses using options.
People started approaching me about managing their money, and after a lot of thought, prayer, and consultation with my wife (and business partner), we decided to undertake this challenge. What motivates me every day is bringing these inefficiencies to light and helping everyone, retail, funds, etc., capitalize from the study I have done. The financial world is rife with misinformation, and I see it as my obligation to bring real, useful information to the investor and identify the aspects that mislead individual investors.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting registered was a major accomplishment since the hurdles for a unique RIA are high from a regulatory standpoint. When we launched, it was an enormous weight off our shoulders and validation for what we are doing.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Customer satisfaction is very tough to maintain, especially in this industry. When you make a mistake as an employee, you don't realize the damage control your bosses do in order to maintain that line of business. Now every transaction feels like so much is on the line.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Make sure you have a solid support system around you that you can trust. Especially in this industry, there are always people trying to work angles. You need a close-knit trustworthy support structure for any business you are in.
- Owning a business is not a quick or easy way to make a living. Expect hurdles, failures, and challenges. But once the framework of the business is built, it is your own creation to be proud of.
- Make sure you are accurate and sober in your assessment of the demand for your product. You can make the best kielbasa in the world, but if there is no demand, it doesn't matter. The same is true with supply capabilities. Make sure you can scale your product to meet the demand you project for your product.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.addeumfunds.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/addeumfunds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WizOfOps
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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