Name: Brad W. Davies
Title: President
Company: Investment Management Consultants (IMC)
Type of Business: IMC is a fee-based, registered investment advisory firm specializing in 401(k), pensions and high net-worth individuals.
Location : Las Vegas
Years in Nevada: 15 years
Years with Company: 5 Years
Biggest Business Challenge:
Overcoming a small-company image in the eyes of the community. Even though we offer superior products and service, and have years of experience and educational background, our firm is still perceived to be too small for larger 401(k) plans and pensions.
What do you like best about your job?
The part I love about my job is that I am in control of how I deal with clients. I have a clean slate when it comes to client interactions. I don’t have to sell certain investment products, give certain advice or have any inherent conflict of interest such as commissions or proprietary products. I am able to fully customize each client portfolio for a fee and strongly believe this is the prudent way to deal with investments and achieve investment goals.
How do you spend your time when you’re not working?
I keep very busy teaching investments, corporate finance, statistics and economics at UNLV and CCSN. With my limited free time, I am addicted to golfing and cooking.
What would you like your legacy to be?
I would like to be known as a hardworking, ethical investment advisor and teacher. Above all, I want to be known for helping individuals and companies to achieve their investment goals, and teaching students about the world of finance and economics.
Favorite Business Book:
The General Theory, by John Maynard Keynes
Best Business Advice:
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be realistic in your investment goals.
Name: Jim Sullivan
Title: Managing Partner
Company: Lockett & Sullivan, Inc.
Type of Business:
Lockett & Sullivan is a Reno-based trade-show production company.
Years in Nevada: 23
Years with firm: 23
Biggest Business Challenge:
My biggest challenge is convincing people that the prevailing marketing philosophy of “heads on beds” is outdated and will lead us away from diversifying our business community. Over the last three decades, the millions of dollars generated through trade shows have supported hundreds of local businesses, and have been crucial to the economic vitality of Northern Nevada.
What do you like best about your job?
Producing consumer shows provides me insight into the many challenges facing my clients in marketing their products and/or services. It also allows me to direct and assist them in the truest medium of advertising, which is the one-on-one exposure that consumer shows provide.
How do you prefer to spend your time:
Traveling – hopefully in the pursuit of big fish. My goal is to add to the Billfish Grand Slam I achieved in 2001 by catching every type of billfish in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. I’m an avid catch-and-release fisherman, returning the big ones for another good fight.
What would you like your legacy to be:
I would like to be remembered as a man of character who was concerned about his community and his business, especially as it relates to the positive impact our programs provide in the quality of life in Northern Nevada. I hope I’m remembered as someone who could dance – not in the literal sense, but as an entrepreneur.
Favorite business book:
I Can, I Will, by Frederick Elias.
Best Business Advice:
Strive for solutions with an open mind and a consensus-driven approach, and fully understand that success is about passion, focus and results that serve real needs. Lastly, making money shouldn’t be your only measure of success. Being successful is about having a positive impact in your community, and using your money to make a difference.