J. Travis Prewitt is vice president of investments at Spokane-based UBS Financial Services, Inc., where he also serves as a director and financial advisor of The Pruitt Group. He is registered as a financial advisor in 12 states, mainly in the western region. Mr. Prewitt, a 1973 Whitworth alumnus, worked previously as an investment executive for Piper Jaffrey, also based in Spokane. He is a member of the Spokane Central Lions Club and El Katif Shrine, part of the Spokane Scottish Rite Bodies. He has also served as an associate instructor at Indiana University in the graduate studies program.
Mr. Prewitt presented important points for the students to remember as they venture into the business world:
- When you are in business, you have a brand – whether you know it or not: It is better to consciously manage and create your own brand than to do damage control later.
- Never look down on honest labor: Your worth is not based on your job position. Not everyone can be rich and famous, but everyone can be honest, hardworking and kind.
- You are not defeated until you blame someone else: You cannot succeed if you do not take responsibility.
- Successful people have, at one point or another, someone who believed in them: If you have someone who believes in you, you can succeed.
- The magic in business is being committed to something: Keep exploring to be committed, then you can be successful.
- It does not matter what you know, it is what you do that matters: To know and not to do is to not know.
- The most valuable business book is How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie: The only things you learn that will matter are the ones you incorporate into your DNA. (You can purchase the book at http://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034.)
- Being able to inspire and and get along with people is essential: This will be the majority of what you do in the business world.
While Mr. Prewitt was a student at Whitworth, he traveled to Antarctica with faculty and students. He documented their adventures in his film Journey to the Ragged Edge.
Mr. Prewitt also gave students recommendations on how to become a millionaire:
- Live below your means: Choose financial independence over social status.
- Do not accept economic support after you have left your parents' home.
- Choose the right occupation.
- Never borrow money that will not increase in value: “If you have to pay off debt you can't take risk.”
Mr. Prewitt concluded his presentation with final words of advice for the students:
- Take risks when your are younger: You have less to lose and taking risks now can lead to a more successful future.
- Find the right floor and sweep it: Employers are much more likely to hire attitude and train skills.
- Don't be afraid to start at the bottom: It's better to do your best in each position, as this will eventually help you get noticed and move up the ladder.
Student Contributors: Raimond Rogers, Kerra Sivonen, Spencer Joice
