Nikolas Bregeda was recently promoted to Account Manager – Inside Sales here at Stride Capital and we had the opportunity to sit down with him to discuss the exciting career development. He shared what he’s looking forward to in his new role, some info about his experience as a Sales Coordinator leading up to his promotion, what initially interested him in the industry, and more. Keep reading to learn more.
Congratulations on your recent promotion to an Inside Sales Account Manager! What are you looking forward to about your new role?
I’m super excited for the jump to Account Manager! The relationship development aspect of our industry is crucial, and the ability to collaborate with numerous parties involved in the financing process is a key component for success. I’m looking forward to maintaining the existing relationships that the Stride team has developed over the years, while continuing to expand our reach with new Lenders, Brokers, Vendors, and Clients every day. New challenges and hurdles to overcome can be daunting and stressful, but I’m excited for the opportunities that will allow for continued growth in my career, both professionally and personally.
Can you tell us about your experience leading up to your promotion, both with Stride and before?
Throughout the first two years of my career with Stride, I have learned invaluable skills and gained an abundance of knowledge in the equipment finance industry. I have had constant support from my colleagues and our executives on a variety of projects, including stickhandling multiple portfolio tranches with other lenders. As my first job post-university, I entered my Sales Coordinator role at Stride as a fresh face, ready to learn but with limited experience. My previous employment experiences in landscaping & lawn care, window & framing services, and exposure in an abundance of sports may not have provided me specific financial knowledge. However, as a student-athlete working those jobs during my Economics degree, I learned the importance of work ethic, time management, critical thinking, and respectful, effective communication. As a Sales Coordinator these last 2 years, primarily supporting the Sales Team, I quickly learned how Account Managers navigate their role, watching as they continue to learn every day and communicate with other industry professionals. I’m excited for this next chapter in my career with Stride and I know I’ll have my colleagues to lean on as I continue to grow.
What interested you in working in the financial industry initially?
Throughout my Economics degree, I knew I wanted to work in the financial industry as my career—I just hadn’t a clue as to what sector. I stumbled my way across equipment finance via relationships I had developed through sports and was immediately intrigued. Supporting the industries and workers that are the pillars of the Canadian economy is a gratifying feeling. As a young kid, I was always fascinated with heavy equipment and machinery—this industry allows me to combine that interest in equipment with my strength in financial analytics, peer collaboration, and relationship development. We facilitate transactions for a variety of clients here at Stride. Providing equipment financing for a single owner operator, or fleet equipment for a large commercial company demonstrates Stride’s ability to support a diverse pool of clients. I believe Stride can become one of Canada’s leading equipment lenders, and I’m so thankful to be a part of an amazing team with such a bright future.
What do you like the most about working at Stride Capital? What valuable lessons have you learned throughout your time here?
Stride provides the resources for every employee to succeed. No matter your role, there is opportunity and our team supports each other to achieve both business and personal goals together. As the cliché saying goes, we are like a family. With a smaller staff, all our departments must work in unison. We are able to maintain similar, if not faster, turnaround times than many other lenders in the industry, primarily due to the work ethic instilled in Stride’s culture.
I’ve learned so much in the first two years of my career with Stride, but some simple concepts specifically stand out for me—always carry a positive attitude, respect everyone, work hard, and be willing to learn each and every day. These are simple ideas that stand true for thousands of careers, jobs, and roles, however, they’re not always put into practice. I’ve learned plenty about the financial sector and how to analyze client financial statements, equipment and machinery specifications and values, etc. In my opinion, being communicative and personable are two of the most important characteristics to uphold in this industry.
What is your life outside of work like?
Away from the office, I like to spend my time with my fiancée and my dog in the mountains, on walks around our home in Calgary, or with friends out in the city. I also spend a significant amount of time at local ice hockey rinks, playing on multiple men’s league hockey teams. I have been around the sport for nearly 20 years and continue to play the sport I love. I am fortunate to have been born and raised in the Okanagan Interior of British Columbia and have now called Calgary home for the last 7 years—two fantastic geographical locations in Canada for the outdoors.
7 days ago
