Utility is one of my favorite concepts from my time as an econ major in college. At its core, utility is the satisfaction or benefit you get from something. It’s about your personal enjoyment. It’s subjective—what fills my cup might not move the needle for you, and that’s the beauty of it.
I still remember the fall of 2006 (!) when I was trying to figure out what to do after college. I had double majored in economics and Spanish, but—like many graduates—I had no clear idea how (or if) I wanted to use either one. After rounds of interviews, I was choosing between two totally different paths: a buying program at a nationwide luxury retailer or a job at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo) as an annuity analyst. Full disclosure: I didn’t actually know what an annuity was at the time!
I talked it through with my dad, and he said, “Why don’t you take the job at Wachovia—then you can afford to buy the clothes from the retailer.” That logic clicked. And here we are.
In my 20s, my utility came from experiences—travel, shopping, spontaneous meetups with friends. Now, as I (quickly) approach my 40s, what brings me joy has shifted. My greatest fulfillment comes from being at home with my family. Like many of you, I’ve realized that time—not money—is my most valuable resource.
That shift is what ultimately led me to business valuation. It brings together the things I love professionally and personally. Professionally, I get to hear people’s stories and integrate them with their financials. Personally, it enables me to work from home and be present for both the big and small moments.
Once I was deep into valuation work, I started to notice opportunities for improvement—places where we could save time without sacrificing quality. That’s really how Ranger Docs came to be. I’m type A and I take my responsibilities to my clients seriously. I will not cut corners. But if there’s a tool that helps me produce excellent valuations more efficiently? I’m all in.
Ranger Docs gives me that. It delivers a level of review that’s incredibly thorough, catching more than I ever could on my own, and it saves hours, leaving me more time for what truly matters.
What about you? What brings you the most utility—personally or professionally?