Work life of Don Millen, managing director at Dragonfly Capital

I met met Don on an an assignment, and he proceeded to explain to me how the boutique investment banking industry works in about 20 minutes. The man knows his stuff. Two weeks later, I run into him literally running through Freedom Park in the gloom of the morning. So he’s multi-talented. Here’s how he works.

Job Title:

Investment banker at Dragonfly Capital. We help business owners sell their companies.

Office location:

South End

Commute:

Straight shot down Morehead – 5-10 minutes. A pet peeve is traffic and I love my commute! I would definitely pay for an express toll lane.

What do you do during your commute?

Listen to XM 23/29 – the people know.

Phone:

iPhone 6

Desk photo:

Computer:

MacBookPro

Gadgets you can’t live without:

My books and golf clubs

Do you listen to music while you work?

Absolutely! Music is life. Pandora – the “Captain Jack’s Swing Juice” station is infamous – ping me and I’ll share it. PanicStream – always trolling the latest Widespread Panic shows as well as the archives

What software are you a power user of?

The Internets

What’s your favorite spot for a business lunch?

Greek Isles – Greek salad with chicken (but they moved!)

Social media habits

Twitter is the greatest. My Tweeples love @dasHitman.

To-do list manager:

A note pad and my calendar.

What everyday thing are you really good at?

Juggling 100 “balls” every day and connecting people.

What’s your one favorite thing about your job?

I love working with different businesses and the passion that each entrepreneur brings. There is nothing more satisfying than making a market of an illiquid asset (a private business) and delivering excellent results for a seller.

Best time-saving shortcut or Charlotte life hack:

Harris-Teeter on-line ordering and pick-up – so worth it.

Sleep routine:

In bed by 9 p.m., read until 10 p.m. (maybe). I  wake between 4:30 and 5:30 (depending on whether I post at F3 or Campos). Unless the Tar Heels or Panthers are playing that night – then all bets are off.

Where do you go around Charlotte to get away from the office?

Craft Tasting Room in South End. Ask Lacy about the nitro tap.

What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

A cup of hot water with lemon and cayenne pepper – every day. Then a banana. Then copious amounts of coffee.

If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you be doing?

Either a rock star or the NFL commissioner.

Best job advice you’ve received:

Learn on OPM (other people’s money). Don’t sweat the petty things.

Last book you read (grade it on a A-F scale):

I’m reading the Game of Thrones series now – on book 4 of 5. Fantastic. I refuse to watch the series until I complete them – A+

I read the Outlander series prior to this – 7 amazing books. Historical fiction, I learned so much about my Scottish heritage – highly recommend — A

Last movie you watched (grade it on a A-F scale):

Entourage – A+ – love those guys

What’s one thing people don’t know about Charlotte that they should?

Lebowski’s Beef on Weck – just get it and thank me later. Also, Charlotte has an amazing yoga scene – it is so good for your physical and mental health – give it a try and thank me later.

Is there anything else that we didn’t ask that you’d like to tell our readers?

We are owed nothing in life – relish all the possibilities you have in Charlotte and America

What other Charlottean would you like to answer these questions?

Dave Redding – a commercial litigator, U.S. Army veteran and founding member of F3.

Enjoying learning how people work? Read the entire How I Work series.