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Strategy Simplified

S17E8: Breaking into PE Consulting Mid-Career: The Stax Advantage with Darren Buskirk

Apr 4, 2025
Darren Buskirk, Managing Director at Stax, shares invaluable insights from his journey transitioning from big firms like McKinsey and Deloitte to boutique private equity consulting. He highlights how Stax fosters a collaborative culture and offers rich career growth for mid-career professionals. Listeners will learn about optimizing their resumes, mastering the hiring process, and the unique dynamics of work-life balance at Stax. Darren also discusses the qualities essential for success in this fast-paced sector, making it a must-listen for career changers.
57:05

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Darren Buskirk discussed how Stax's culture emphasizes individual contributions and team collaboration, creating a dynamic environment for professionals.
  • The firm differentiates itself from traditional consulting by fostering a flat organizational structure, empowering junior employees to participate actively.

Deep dives

Darren Buskirk's Career Journey

Darren Buskirk, a managing director at Stacks, transitioned from well-known consulting firms to Stacks to seek a more significant impact in a smaller, more dynamic environment. He emphasized the importance of culture and personal contributions, which significantly influenced his decision to join Stacks. Through conversations with the leadership, he became aligned with their vision for the firm and the opportunities for leadership within the Chicago office. His experiences at larger firms underscored the value of individual responsibility and a strong team culture.

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