Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/477247
42 Hartford Business Journal • July 21, 2014 www.HartfordBusiness.com Tim Yergeau Age: 27 Title at work/what I do: I've spent my entire career working the arts—promoting, fundraising, selling, and advocating the arts. I've been director of communications and donor relations at the Greater Hartford Arts Council but in August the title be- comes creative leadership at Civic Mind. I'm incredibly pas- sionate about creativity, and love the opportunity to show others the inspirational and transformative power of the arts. I like to think I make con- nections and build relationships, and I especially enjoy bringing innovative ideas to life—taking that exciting spark and turning it into reality. I love Connecticut and living in Hartford; I try every day to make the city a better place and to focus my professional and personal time on bettering the community I am proud to call home. Town where I work: Hartford Town where I live: Hartford College I attended: Boston University My passion, hobby or special talent: Telling stories Twitter handle: @timyergeau No. of LinkedIn connections: 329 (perhaps it's the quality, not the quantity?) Favorite place to network: You'll probably find me gossiping in the corner at any networking event. Favorite drink at a networking event: Vodka tonic. And then water. How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? It sounds hokey, but my strategy is always: be yourself. I try to be as authentic as possible — I think everyone is constantly over-stimulated, over-sold, over-worked — so I try to be upfront and honest, to discover areas of agreement, and be straightforward with my values. I find humor goes a long way. If you want your professional connections to last, start by being yourself — the real you is going to come out someday, why not make it the first impression? What's been my biggest challenge professionally? I used to think that building a career came with a roadmap or a manual; that you'd know when to stay in a job, when to leave it, and when the right opportunity came along. Obvi- ously building your resume is a much more organic, much messier task that requires taking risks, thinking creatively and push- ing yourself to excel. "Where do I go now" is a constant question, so is "where am I going?" My biggest challenge is remaining flexible and open to new possibilities without losing sight of my ultimate goal. What is the best advice I received? My first real boss, the former director of public relations at the Huntington Theatre Co. in Boston, told me to always keep a blaz- er hanging in my office for unexpected fancy emergencies. It's been a lifesaver. What do I want my legacy to be? I think it's a little too early to start thinking about a lasting legacy. I like making people laugh, and making them think. I'd love to hear people say, "He was funny" and "He always had something thoughtful to share." On June 15, Tim tweeted, "What makes @AuntieAnnes pretzels sooooo good? Oh that's right. They're soaked in butter." FUN FACT Jason J. Warnke Age: 37 Title at work/what I do: Financial planner at Ameri- prise Financial Services Inc. I help individuals and families develop and implement a financial plan designed to help them achieve their life goals and dreams. I serve as an educator, problem solver, and in some cases the financial therapist, as often times each family member has different goals or views on wealth management. In addition to developing a plan, I offer a wide variety of investment solu- tions. I am licensed to provide life, disability, and long-term care insurance where appropriate for my clients. The most rewarding part of my job is sitting aside my clients, helping them craft a unique plan of action designed to achieve their financial goals. Each case is like a new puzzle. Town where I work: Farmington Town where I live: Avon College I attended: University of Maryland My passion, hobby or special talent: Traveling and exploring the world with my wife and spending qual- ity time with our son, Chase. Also, I am a diehard Red Sox and Terrapin fan. Twitter handle: @Warnke22 No. of LinkedIn connections: 500+ Favorite place to network: Sporting and charity events Favorite drink at a networking event: A unique craft beer. It is often a great conversation starter! How do I create connections in my profes- sional life? The vast majority of the new clients that come to my practice are referrals from exist- ing clients. There is no better way to feel as though you are truly appreciated for what you are doing than receiving a phone call from someone a current client has referred. Addi- tionally, I stay active in the community, par- ticipating in organizations such as the West Hartford Exchange Club, Nutmeg BBBS, and several other civic groups. Many times, busi- ness generates organically through service. What's been my biggest challenge professionally? Maintaining a balanced life. The old adage in my industry is that you do not want all of your eggs in one basket. You want to be well diversified. I feel as though the same principle should hold true in your personal life. There- fore, I strive to make sure that in addition to providing the highest level of service possible to my clients, I also make time for family, friends, community organizations, and staying active. Even with all these life facets pulling me in many directions, I also think it is criti- cal to diversify your businesses and revenue sources. For this reason, my wife and I con- tinue to invest in rental real estate and keep our eyes peeled for other business ventures. What is the best advice I received? The best advice I ever received came in the form of the example my father set. He was also an entrepreneur, and listening to him, from the age of 4 on, interact with his clients both over the phone and in personal meetings was better training for life as a busi- ness owner than any college degree could provide. I am forever indebted. What do I want my legacy to be? I would like to raise children who were proud of what their father accomplished both professionally and philanthropically. One of my many long-term legacy goals I have would be to establish an endowment that would provide a scholarship to a student from my high school alma mater on an annual basis. In his Twitter profile, Jason describes himself as "financial planner, amateur pundit, the authority." FUN FACT 40 Under Forty 2014 40 Under Forty 2014