The Original Engenuity
One of the first companies I ws involved with and continue to run from the time I finished college is Engenuity. It began as a financial services firm that educated people on how to properly integrate and utilize life insurance in their overall portfolio. We positioned ourselves a macroeconomic advisors as we based the financial decisions with our clients based upon economics vs. many of the philosophies promoting tax incentives or special loopholes.
Ray Hooper was really the first person that intiated Engenuity. He didn’t refer to the company as Engenuity at the time (since I am the one who came up with the name), but Ray was the first in the financial services business. He then met and convinced Les McGuire to join him. They were dedicated to education and bringing more value then what Ray was taught when he entered the industry.
I met Les first. He was in an economic seminar with me while I was still attending college. He was wearing flip flops and a Harley-Davidson t-shirt. He might have spoke more than the intructor with his insights and stories- frankly he brought a refreshing and raw view that resonated with me. We began to have conversations on the breaks and found out that we were up to very similar things.
It was shortly after that I had met Ray Hooper. It was at another educational event. Ray did quite a bit of talking as well, but mostly to the people around him and not to the instructor and all participants. It was then the instructor began to yell at Ray. I chose to tease Ray on the break and we began to talk about what we were up to. It was then that I figured out that he and Les were partners. Ray and I spoke for about three hours after the event just talking about the purpose of what we were up to and I was even more compelled to spend time with he and Les.
Just a few weeks later I was attending a symposium (you get the idea that I am serious about education) and saw the two of them together. They were having a lot of fun and joking around. It was contageous and I ended up spend the day and attending the rest of the breakout sessions with them. At the end of the day they invited me to come meet with them at their office.
When I showed up the next Monday, I was greeted by the receptionist saying “Oh you must be the new partner”!!!!!
I will share how I met the final original partner Mike Isom and the state of Engenuity today. There are two of three offices standing today. I am a partner in Engeuity SLC, the 19th fastest growing company in Utah for the past 5 years and it is 10 times the size as when we started, but with the same personal feel.
More to come.
January 29th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Garrett,
good stuff! As always.
Monica