ELFA - Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Equipping Business for Success

Ask a Leader: Interview with Kayla Perlinger

Kayla Perlinger

Learning from a Leader: Career Development Advice

Kayla Perlinger, Vice President, Syndications, Oakmont Capital Services

October 2024

Interview conducted and edited by Tim Cooke, Commercial Solutions Director, Equifax Inc, member of the ELFA Emerging Talent Advisory Council. Learn more about this interview series.

Emerging Talent 2024

What are a few things that come to mind when you think about the job application process and becoming a new hire?

A few things that come to mind include:

  • Make sure to research the company beyond the technicalities of the role.
  • Read reviews from current and prior employees to obtain insights into what the employment experience will be like.
  • Research the company’s culture, values and avenues of growth.

It’s somewhat cliché, but you really are interviewing the company as they are interviewing you. There may be less flexibility in interviewing the company at the beginning stage of your career. However, it’s not good for you or the company if either side isn’t a fit.

Inquire about onboarding programs and opportunities for growth and development throughout the coming months and years. How does the company evaluate success? What is the collaboration like within the team? Larger companies may have more sophisticated training programs but don’t overlook the opportunity for growth within small companies. Smaller companies may offer opportunities to get your feet wet in all areas of business and this experience is invaluable. Don’t only think about where you will be on day one but also where you could be after a year and beyond. The company should have some type of path for desired growth, provided you are willing to put in the effort.

Also, don’t overlook the PEOPLE at the company. The people you surround yourself with will not only assist in determining your career growth, but your surrounding team will also affect who you become as you develop throughout your career. The importance of working for and with the right people cannot be overstated. This doesn’t mean that everyone will be like you or that you will never have conflict with anyone. In fact, it is better to have a variety of personalities on the team. Work with a team that is encouraging and that influences you to make a powerful and positive impact. The perfect team will provide knowledge and healthy collaboration, hold you accountable, be respectful and, if you’re lucky, will be a group of people that you can laugh and have fun with while you do good work.

 

What would you recommend to someone once they are hired and looking to grow within their company?

I think it’s important for new hires to take accountability for fully utilizing all the programs & opportunities available within the organization and beyond. Learn the role you were hired for as thoroughly as possible. Don’t cut corners that will hurt you in the long run. It’s better to obtain the base knowledge at an acceptable pace. If you need to, be the turtle long enough to gain knowledge and then start your sprint.

If you have the desire to grow beyond your current role, don’t rely on someone holding your hand to get there. This will cause you to wait longer than necessary. Raise your hand when a project needs attention or completion. Inquire about how you can help even before you are asked. Eventually, upper management will know that you have the desire to learn, and as long as you prove your value, opportunities will come.

Volunteering could be anything from a small project within your department to putting a spreadsheet together for another department or even volunteering on a work committee (philanthropy, etc.). Try your best to collaborate with colleagues and familiarize yourself with individuals from different departments. This approach will enable you to build connections outside your own team and, in the process, acquire a vast amount of knowledge by engaging in conversations with people from various positions within the company.

Most importantly, act! I find the most value I have added has been to projects and tasks that I saw a need for that I was never even asked to complete. Throughout my career, I have asked myself a few times, “What can I take off my superior’s plate?” or “How can I make my own department or another department better?” Share your thoughts with the right individual and obtain their feedback. It's an excellent method to demonstrate your worth and gain knowledge simultaneously.

Additionally, consider joining industry associations and pursuing your CLFP designation. The journey of studying and earning this designation is a priceless experience that offers limitless benefits. It also facilitates connections with colleagues both within and outside your organization, allowing for the exchange of industry knowledge and obtaining invaluable connections.

 

What has your path looked like in ELFA, and what would you suggest to someone wanting to get involved?

My journey with ELFA started almost 10 years ago when I started attending the ELFA Funding Conference. I immediately had a desire to learn more about the association and become active in any way that I could.

I have since attended many ELFA events and served on many different committees in our industry connected to ELFA, NEFA and the Monitor. I’m currently on ELFA’s Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee, which consists of individuals from companies involved primarily in transactions under $250,000. It’s an impactful committee to contribute to as we can keep a finger on the pulse of the industry and discuss how different trends are impacting our sector of the industry.

If you're interested in getting involved, just raise your hand! Engage in conversation with a member of ELFA or any acquaintance who is engaged with or linked to the association. ELFA has a variety of committees, and I believe there's a place for everyone to get involved!

 

If you had to pick one, which is more important when considering a hire: a soft or technical background?

Great question. The popular answer is typically “soft skills” and for very good reason. Beyond our industry, my answer would be dependent on the role. If I’m getting heart surgery, please provide me with a surgeon with better technical skills. If hiring for a role within our industry, I believe soft skills are more important provided the candidate demonstrates potential to acquire the technical skills needed for the role. If a candidate has strong soft skills, then the individual should be good at teamwork, adaptability, problem solving, time management and critical thinking. All of these will provide the ability to learn what is needed for a role within our industry. 

 

How do you identify a mentor or sponsor and who are some mentors/sponsors in your life?

Start by observing the people around you. Who would you desire to gain insights from, and who seems open to offering advice? Many mentorships happen naturally. However, if you need to ask someone to mentor you, be clear about your expectations so they can confirm whether they have the capacity to support you.

Additionally, it's important to acknowledge that it’s okay to have multiple mentors. Don’t put so much pressure on one person. You may have different mentors for business, family, personal relationships and other areas of life.

I’ve had a few professional mentors during my career. Two of my current mentors happened naturally and include Daryn Lecy and Joe Leonard. They are both willing to guide me and provide their feedback and expertise while allowing me the freedom to explore my strengths and interests. I tend to be insatiably curious, ask a lot of questions, and strive for perfection, sometimes to a fault. They possess immense and distinct expertise in our industry and I'm fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to absorb some of their knowledge due to their willingness to spread what they know.

 

What was the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?

The most memorable time period of my career was being a part of the team that helped to form the Minnesota branch of Oakmont Capital Services in 2018. There were a lot of unknowns and risks to the expansion, but I trusted the team we had built. I knew that we were more than the sum of our parts and we would make anything work if we stuck together and worked hard. This was a collective effort of individuals from both Minnesota and Pennsylvania. We were all dedicated to growing Oakmont’s business and creating a thriving company.

We have achieved tremendous expansion in recent years, and it’s been incredible to be a part of it. It’s fun looking back on the Minnesota team of 11 working in a basement with no sunlight. Some nights, we would leave the basement and log back on our laptops at home until we went to bed. None of this was forced upon us, we were doing it out of true passion and the desire to succeed together. There’s an endless amount of respect among the team that helped to grow Oakmont in 2018 along with an endless number of inside jokes that will forever connect us.