Robin Cruz McClearn '83
Summit, New Jersey, United States
Video Call
In Person
There are many benefits to owning a small business, including flexibility and the ability to control the work environment. My current company, East Avenue Advisors, is both small and quite new, with only a few clients and a small staff. My previous company, E.E. Cruz & Co., was a $150MM construction company with 200+ employees, but strategic decisions were made by 3 people sitting together in a room each day. In both situations, the decision makers are close to the work and to the employees, which informs and guides their actions.
Owning your own company carries risks that sometimes seem overwhelming. One trick is not to isolate yourself. Ask for help, bring others into the discussion. For me, assembling a staff of individuals and helping them to work as a team is rewarding. In each of my work experiences, from a large public company to my own very small consulting firm, I have tried to surround myself with smart people who can teach me. It is important not to be threatened by talented colleagues. Instead, use their abilities to further the organization’s goals. If you take care of your people and recognize their contributions, they will work hard for you.
I try to balance hands-on work with delegation. You can’t do every job yourself, so you have to trust the people around you to do good work. Of course, you also have to make that possible by providing training, guidance and regular feedback. This is much more difficult than it should be. Finding time for feedback is one of the most important things you can do for your colleagues and employees.
Here are a few of the things we can discuss in our session:
• How to determine if you have the risk profile to own your own business.
• How to manage people to get their best efforts.
• How to present your case to constituents and win their support.
• How to use outside advisors to leverage a small staff as you start your business.
• How to use organization to get through chaos and prepare your business for success.
As owner and operator of a small business, I enjoy working where I can make things happen without pushing through layers of bureaucracy. The inevitable sleepless nights that come with the responsibility are offset by the ability to serve my clients, reward my employees and be free to make my own decisions.
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I believe that every work experience shapes your career path. From my first job making wreaths (where I learned how not to behave at a job interview) to an unpaid internship at the U.S. Attorney’s office (where I learned the joys of efficiency) to a 10 year career in banking (where I learned how to be recognized for my contributions), every experience gives us something we need for the next position.
The interesting career path is rarely straight. I studied and qualified to be an attorney, but never worked in a firm. That training helped me when I was a banker and handled bankruptcy financings. It helped again when I joined a construction company and oversaw litigation and contracts. When colleagues didn’t understand the legal process, I stood out by taking the lead and explaining the complexities of our situation.
In addition to my career in finance and management, I make time to volunteer. In 2013 I joined the Board of Governors at Westover. The Governors provide links between alumnae and the school, giving their time and support to a variety of initiatives, particularly the Annual Fund. Since 2008, I have served on the Women’s Association Board of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The WA raises over $1 million each year to support arts education and general operations at NJPAC in Newark, NJ. These activities provide opportunities to help amazing institutions, to achieve worthy goals and to work with incredible, dynamic women.
