Matt Herbst, CFO of eCapital Advisors
For Matt Herbst, CFO of eCapital Advisors, data analytics and growing revenue have been the common threads throughout his career. From his early days at Best Buy and OptumInsight, to leadership roles in several SaaS companies, growth is a common denominator. Matt is known for his entrepreneurial approach in building out teams and processes and has been sought after for his business strategy leveraging data analytics. From snowkiting to leading companies, Matt is not afraid of a good challenge. How this well-respected leader stays in front of the quickly shifting landscape of the SaaS industry has made Scouts Talent curious to learn more….
If you could try a different job for a day, what would you choose?
Astronaut, I’d love to spend some time circling the globe on the International Space Station. I even applied to a job opening at NASA years ago, but apparently the skills of a finance professional aren’t applicable to being in space…
What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?
Get as much knowledge about as many different functions and industries as possible. The more you know about other businesses, functions and processes, the more valuable you will be to your role and to your customers.
What is your mantra?
I believe you should look for the positive in every situation. Everything happens for a reason. Learning from every opportunity and/or mistake is critical to personal and professional growth.
What companies or leaders do you admire?
I admire companies and leaders that are innovators in their industry. Especially those that can create a market where there wasn’t one (think Apple and the original iPhone). I also admire companies that can reinvent themselves to stay ahead of the curve.
What has been the biggest shift you’ve noticed in your industry in the last decade?
The use of technology, data analytics, and automation. No longer are complex Excel models the symbol of advanced analytics. Now there’s BI tools, dashboard tools, RPA tools, and AI. This is a very exciting time for the growth of predictive analytics.
How do you get yourself out of a slump?
I always try to look at the bright side of things which helps me avoid getting into a slump. However, when I do sense a shift, I turn to exercising outdoors. During the summer I love to go mountain biking and waterskiing, and in the winter I love snowkiting. There’s nothing like flying across the ice at 20 – 30 MPH, pulled by a kite, to get you thinking about other things.
Who has been most instrumental in your career?
I’ve had many mentors and managers that have been influential in my career. A common theme from these experiences is to create your own success. No one is going to just give you something because you want it. You need to seek out the experiences and successes you want in life and in your career. Your career path is not a straight line and it’s not a sprint. It’s a long and winding marathon. I’ve learned the most when I was challenged beyond my comfort zone. It’s in those situations when you have an “aha” moment.
What is your go-to celebration meal, drink or tradition?
I love sitting out on the deck with my family enjoying a good charcuterie board accompanied by a glass of red wine or a dirty martini with as many olives as I can fit on a cocktail pick.
