Guiding Clients Through M&A with Confidence
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A seasoned mid-market investment banker and the distinguished host of “The Silicon Valley Podcast.” A wealth of experience in M&A, growth capital raising, and business development.
Online | Q&A Shawn Flynn
Shawn began his career as a successful business owner in Beijing, China, and later returned to Silicon Valley to immerse himself in the vibrant startup ecosystem. His roles have spanned from Head of Incubation for an AI-focused incubator to President of the second oldest Angel group in the Valley. Currently, he serves as a principal at a leading middle-market investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions, growth capital raising, and secondary markets.
Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). His fluency in Mandarin and Spanish further enhances his global perspective, skills he honed while living abroad for nearly eight years. As the host of “The Silicon Valley Podcast,” Shawn shares conversations with thought leaders and industry pioneers, providing valuable insights into the ever-evolving world of business and innovation.
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Keynotes:
- Shawn shared his journey from being a mechanical engineer to becoming an investment banker, highlighting his experiences in the startup ecosystem and his role as president of an angel group in Silicon Valley.
- He emphasized the reciprocal nature of mentoring, explaining how he often learns as much from his mentees as they learn from him.
- Shawn reflected on how his time as a personal trainer shaped his mentoring approach, particularly in breaking goals into actionable steps and adapting communication styles.
- He recommended teaching or training roles as powerful tools for gaining experience in helping others achieve their goals and developing essential people skills.
- Shawn recounted his time in China, where he learned to interpret body language and adapt to cultural differences, skills that significantly improved his mentoring.
- He emphasized the importance of tailoring communication styles to resonate with each mentee, ensuring clarity and connection.
- Shawn described how he aligns business owners’ goals with valuation expectations and maintains a balance between analytical and emotional needs during transactions.
- In high-pressure environments, he shared his strategies for building client trust, using active listening and open dialogue to drive successful outcomes.
- Shawn explained how hosting *The Silicon Valley Podcast* has been instrumental in learning from high-level professionals and sharing mentorship experiences.
- He shared two stories: helping a Taiwanese entrepreneur enter UC Berkeley and guiding a Kenyan farmer to expand her business, illustrating the transformative impact of mentorship.
- Shawn discussed balancing roles as a mentor, mentee, and professional while emphasizing the importance of self-care and effective time management.
- He stressed the importance of coachability, asking thoughtful questions, and relationship-building as key traits for mentees.
- Shawn advised mentees to seek mentors who are a few steps ahead in their journey for relatable guidance and to reassess mentorship as their goals evolve.
- In response to an audience question, he shared that he does not plan to retire but envisions pursuing bigger opportunities and enjoying the journey along the way.
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