Ryan Hodson
Ryan Hodson is the managing director of Kodiak Capital Group, LLC, a private investment fund based in Newport Beach, California. Ryan’s credentials include raising capital and advising clients for Laidlaw & Co. in private equity and hedge fund investments. His broad-based career spans the capital markets as a commodities trader for Iowa Grain, a financial analyst for Lincoln Financial, and as managing director of New York Consulting Group, a private equity fund specializing in special situations investments.
1. How do you define success?
Success is freedom—the ability to do what you want, when you want.
2. What is the key to success?
The key to success is being able to dedicate yourself to reaching your objectives and making effective decisions along the way.
3. Did you always know you would be successful?
Yes—I have always had very supportive family and friends. Surrounding yourself with an inspiring team motivates you and makes preparing and executing that much more rewarding.
4. When faced with adversity, what pushes you to keep moving forward?
A great leader needs to possess a balance of traits, and the ability to share them with others, including commitment, communication, confidence, creativity, honesty, inspiration, intuition, loyalty, prioritization, and the ability to laugh and learn from mistakes—what I like to call experience.
5. What is the greatest lesson you’ve ever learned?
The greatest lesson that I have ever learned is to focus on what matters to you the most and not get caught up in the maze of mediocrity.
6. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy fishing and skiing. When I need to burn off some steam, a good game of rugby or attending a punk rock show always helps.
7. What makes a great leader?
A great leader needs to possess a balance of traits, and the ability to share them with others, including commitment, communication, confidence, creativity, honesty, inspiration, intuition, loyalty, prioritization, and the ability to laugh and learn from mistakes—what I like to call experience.
8. What advice would you give to college students about entering the workforce?
I would advise recent college graduates to be patient and take risks—surround yourself with people you enjoy, focus on being better today (you can’t change the decisions you made yesterday, but the future is yours for the taking), and do what you enjoy—with a positive mind, everything will be fine.