About Lane Murphy
Lane Murphy is the co-founder of Mast Hill Fund Management. As a chief operating officer and head of investor relations, he carries his expertise in financial and investment strategies along with relationship building. He has successfully grown the firm for the last seven years, and his relevant skills and strategies have made reaching the $70 million mark possible. He believes in empowering small businesses with fast, flexible financing, with an aim to achieve his goal of $100 million in assets under management by the end of 2024.
Blue Ocean: How has your professional journey evolved over the years?
Lane Murphy: My career path has taken some interesting turns. After spending five years in the retail industry, I decided to pursue a master of business administration (MBA) in Finance and enter the world of private wealth management. I honed my skills at prestigious firms like Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse then I joined Goldman Sachs. The highlight of my time there was being part of a team that managed to raise $1.4 billion for high-net-worth individuals and family offices in New England.
During my last days at Goldman Sachs, a close friend of mine approached me with an investment opportunity in his hedge fund. However, we saw a different path and instead co-founded Mast Hill Fund Management. Over the past seven years, we have grown the firm significantly, reaching the $70 million mark. With a strong and relevant strategy, we are confident we’ll achieve our goal of $100 million in assets under management by the end of 2024.
Blue Ocean: What does your usual workday look like?
Lane Murphy: As the chief operating officer (COO) and head of investor relations, my day is a blend of communication and strategy. I manage administrative tasks, but a significant portion of my time is dedicated to interacting with investors. This includes regular communication with existing Limited Partners (LPs), keeping them updated on fund performance, and addressing their inquiries. I also connect with prospective clients to build relationships and generate interest. Additionally, I spearhead the creation of our quarterly update newsletter that provides a clear look at our anticipation and future goals. You can say that my usual workday is a blend of communication with existing LPs, conversations with prospective new LPs, as well as administrative functions.
Blue Ocean: What challenges do you encounter daily?
Lane Murphy: One of the daily challenges in my role is managing information flow during client communication. While we strive to equip potential investors with all the necessary information they need to make informed decisions, there can be occasional requests for highly specific data points that fall outside our standard reporting. This can necessitate creating new documents or compiling data not readily available in our system, which require a lot of time and effort.
Blue Ocean: What are the recent trends and developments in your industry that fascinate you the most?
Lane Murphy: The rise of alternative financing solutions for small businesses is a trend I find incredibly fascinating. At Mast Hill Fund, we specialize in providing short-term financing to small-cap companies. All small companies require growth capital to run their businesses but cannot keep up with traditional institutional financing. Traditional lenders often require significant collateral, which can be a major hurdle for these growing businesses.
We bridge that gap by offering flexible solutions that consider a company’s overall potential alongside traditional risk factors. Our approach allows these businesses to access the capital they need to thrive, whether through loan repayment or strategic equity conversion. It’s an exciting way to support their growth journey.
Blue Ocean: What is something unique you offer to your clients?
Lane Murphy: We empower small businesses with fast, flexible financing. Our streamlined underwriting process allows us to provide funding opportunities within the first three weeks, giving companies the capital they need to seize opportunities quickly. We also go beyond traditional financing by offering flexibility in repayment options. This fosters long-term partnerships, as evidenced by our 30% repeat borrower rate.
Unlike some lenders, we don’t pressure companies during defaults. Instead, we work collaboratively, managing stock liquidation strategically to minimize disruptions. We do not apply heavy downward selling pressure to the stock, rather we leak it out slowly matching the trading volume. We believe in the potential of small businesses and offer to become true growth partners.
Blue Ocean: How the leadership roles have shaped you on a personal and professional level?
Lane Murphy: Leadership roles have become a defining force in my personal and professional growth. I find myself naturally gravitating towards taking initiative and motivating those around me. I encourage my employees and share the success of the business along the way. I strive to make an impact where the change is felt and seen by everybody.
Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Lane Murphy: Focus on the fundamentals! If you want to become a US ambassador to France, you must know French. Similarly, if you want to be in the field of business, you must know the basics of sales. Ultimately, revenue drives everything. So, prioritize developing both technical and soft skills, including communication and problem-solving.
My marketing professor’s words still ring true: “Never underestimate the value of the skill of being able to sell.” So, my advice to my younger self would be to jump into public speaking courses, actively engage with people, listen to them, and hone those communication skills.
Blue Ocean: What passions and interests do you follow outside of work?
Lane Murphy: Fitness is a huge part of my life. I pursue professional bodybuilding. But, I also find joy in staying active with my family. We regularly play football, basketball, and baseball with my two teenage boys. My hobby revolves around being active and leading a disciplined life.
Blue Ocean: What are your sources of happiness and inspiration outside of work?
Lane Murphy: Seeing my boys thrive in sports brings me immense joy. Coaching them was incredibly rewarding, and it fuels my desire to spend more quality time with my family in the future. Ideally, I’d like to achieve an early retirement to focus on those moments.
Blue Ocean: What is your favorite quote?
Lane Murphy: “Get busy living or get busy dying” from the movie Shawshank Redemption (1994).
Blue Ocean: What is something that you are grateful for?
Lane Murphy: My family is an endless source of gratitude. My wife and two children have been my constant source of love and support. They have always been my cheerleaders through every decision, big or small, and their unwavering belief in me means the world.
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