Girish has more than 15 years of experience as a financial executive, leading transactions, capital management projects, corporate turnarounds, and spearheading financial and accounting improvements for numerous companies nationwide.
Prior to joining TSG, Girish served as Chief Financial Officer of The Bay Club Company, where he led all aspects of the company’s financial management and strategy. Previously, Girish was Chief Financial Officer of Pasta Pomodoro Inc., a California-based restaurant chain. Earlier in his career, Girish held roles at Alvarez & Marsal and Arthur Andersen LLP where he advised numerous consumer, apparel and retail clients on the creation and execution of performance improvement strategies. Girish earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Fordham University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Q&A
What was the first job you had?
I was a bank teller. It was a great lesson in the importance of financial literacy and personal financial discipline as so many people came into the bank with all sorts of easily avoidable problems for which they ended up paying dearly.
How do you build trust with entrepreneurs you’ve just started to work with?
I listen and I don’t judge. I know how hard it is to build a business and am intimately familiar with the day-to-day grind. I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked in start-ups while having my own share of successful and not successful entrepreneurial endeavors. I think this gives me a unique ability to not only relate to the issues they’re facing but also give them perspective on how to address those issues.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to an entrepreneur who is trying to take their business to the next level?
Invest the time and money into bringing in a great team and empower them to help you achieve your vision.
What brings you the most joy in your job?
Seeing the impact my work has on the portfolio companies and the P&L.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“You can’t just lead a horse to water, you have to make it drink.” It was another way of saying that although the process may be important, results matter more.
How would you describe your working style?
We spend so much time at work that I want to make sure I am enjoying what I am doing. If you see me listening to music in my office, you can rest assured it will be hip-hop to help me power through the day. I am fairly laid-back and try to keep the mood light and collegial. That being said, I am still very analytical and operate with a high sense of urgency. I like to balance the two so that I neither burn the team out nor myself.
The Operating Partners, including the members of the TSG Vantage Leadership Team, listed herein are either independent contractors or employees of TSG or one or more of its affiliates. Operating Partners provide valuable advice, services and insights to TSG and its portfolio companies for the benefit of TSG’s limited partners. Operating Partners are compensated directly or indirectly by TSG portfolio companies, TSG funds or TSG, and in the latter case, TSG is entitled to reimbursement from TSG portfolio companies and/or TSG funds for such compensation.