Eric Harrison, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of IEQ Capital, recently joined Scott Marshall, President and CEO of Semester at Sea, on the As Unexpected podcast to share his journey—from his transformative experiences in Japan to leading IEQ Capital. Through resilience, adaptability, and strategic thinking, Mr. Harrison’s career path offers valuable insights for professionals navigating change and uncertainty.

Raised in Golden, Colorado, Mr. Harrison’s early global perspective was profoundly shaped by a transformative Semester at Sea program, which he joined after graduating from high school. The experience broadened his view of international opportunities and ultimately led him to move to Japan. There, he joined Ricoh’s mergers and acquisitions team, where he gained valuable insight into deal-making, though he found large corporate transactions slower-moving than he preferred.

After leaving Ricoh, Mr. Harrison launched a software distribution business in Japan during the country’s 1992 economic downturn. However, he quickly recognized the challenges of the economic climate and made the difficult decision to change course. Reflecting on this chapter, he observed, “Knowing when to pivot is as important as perseverance.”

Upon returning to the United States, he joined Hewlett-Packard before earning his MBA from UCLA. He then transitioned into venture capital and private equity, identifying opportunities in undervalued assets during the early 2000s tech downturn. Notably, he co-founded a private equity firm and played a key role in the growth of Digital Realty Trust, now a major publicly traded company. These experiences reinforced his belief that strategic thinking and tenacity are essential drivers of success.

A defining moment in his career came with the co-founding of IEQ Capital, marking his transition into wealth management. “Don’t fight the tide,” he advised, explaining how aligning his natural ability to build trust-based relationships with his professional aspirations enabled him to co-create a firm recognized by Barron’s and Forbes. “Lean into your strengths and let them guide your career,” he emphasized, underscoring the importance of self-awareness in professional growth.

Beyond wealth management, Mr. Harrison is a strong advocate for financial literacy and lifelong learning. He views financial education as a tool for informed decision-making, from budgeting to investing, and encourages individuals to connect real-world events to their personal finances. By understanding economic forces, he believes people can make more empowered financial choices.

For young professionals, his advice is to balance passion with strategic planning. “Play for the dream” but “take calculated risks,” he said, emphasizing that setbacks are not failures but lessons that pave the way for future success. This philosophy aligns with his belief in big-picture thinking, inspired by figures like Tony Robbins. His long-held vision of creating a community gym exemplifies his approach—dream boldly while methodically overcoming obstacles. “Dream big. Visualize it. Imagine all the building blocks that would become problems, and then knock them down one by one,” he shared, illustrating his mindset for achieving ambitious goals.

Mr. Harrison’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, strategic vision, and aligning career choices with personal strengths. His insights encourage professionals to embrace challenges as opportunities and to approach their goals with resilience and purpose. As he aptly put it, “Ride the horse in the direction it is going,” reminding us that success often lies in recognizing and embracing our unique paths with clarity and determination.

The views and opinions expressed by Eric Harrison in this interview are solely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of IEQ Capital, LLC.  Any statements made are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer or solicitation of an offer, or any advice or recommendation, to purchase any securities or other financial instruments, and may not be construed as such.