Gregory Knox Jones is the Senior Partner and Co-Founder of the Edgewater Private Equity Funds, based in Chicago. On the sidelines, he serves on the Serves on the portfolio company boards of many notable businesses such as Brilliance Technology, Premier Safety, Reflective Apparel, and Unitech Aerospace. With his strong business acumen as the Co-Founder, past CEO, and Chairman of UBid.com, a reputable online auction marketplace, he successfully led the company’s revenue to over $500 million before its successful IPO.
Prior to joining Edgewater, Greg had held multiple positions as a CEO and Senior Operating Manager for various enterprises, including serving as the Senior Vice President of APAC Teleservices Inc. During his tenure, APAC increased revenues from $100 million to $276 million, reflecting Greg’s sharp, intuitive leadership.
Greg is a member of many prestigious organizations, including the Commercial Club of Chicago, the Chicago Commonwealth Club, and the Economic Club of Chicago. His vast knowledge of the industry and expertise in business has led him to receive the State of Michigan Leadership Award, the 1999 Earnest & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award, and recognition from KPMG as the Entrepreneur of The Year in (year). Greg and his wife were also recipients of the honorable Leadership in Science and Education Award at the Peggy Notabaert Butterfly Ball in 2018.
In the humanitarian aspect, Greg serves and was a past Chairman of the Board of Northshore University Health System. He also contributes to the boards of several renowned organizations, including the Accelerate Institute, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Lyric Opera of Chicago among others.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
As the senior partner of Edgewater Private Equity Funds, I oversee and collaborate with a team of dedicated colleagues in the management and growth of our diverse portfolio of businesses. With a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of the private equity landscape, I work to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and maximize returns for our investors.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Through diligent collaboration with my colleagues, I actively and persistently engage in the process of identifying and developing promising business opportunities. This involves leveraging the strengths and expertise of my team to uncover valuable opportunities, carefully analyzing market trends/potential risks—also devising effective strategies that capitalize on these opportunities for growth and success.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Artificial intelligence is a very exciting trend that I look out for. The things that technology can bring to help us minimize redundant tasks really help in eliminating the small tasks nobody wants to do. Though, I do believe that AI will go even further than what it is today. Very exciting to see what else we can do with AI and what the future holds.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Get up early and be productive before the day starts. This habit of mine helps me maximize the day while the sun is up. The more you’re awake, the more hours you have in a day and the more things you can get done.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stay focused and stay the course. You’re not going to get more things done by having too much on your plate. I’d tell my younger self to trust in the process and concentrate on the outcome that will eventually be rewarding.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Religious training should be part of education. While it is something that most people won’t agree with me on, I do believe that a foundational knowledge of religion and practices should be part of the education curriculum. I think that this can strengthen the younger generation’s faith and really remind them of what truly matters.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Work hard. Nothing is going to be accomplished unless you have the grit to do so; be persistent about your goals and make sure you work your hardest to achieve them. I think some people forget that they can’t expect other people to do the most for them—all you can rely on is yourself and your abilities to be able to pull through to be successful.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Workout. Exercising has a way of clearing my mind and helping me gather my thoughts. Some silence while you work out can provide you with the time to really sit with your thoughts while you improve your physical health.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Try to maintain a high level of work. More work means more possibility of getting the results you desire sooner. It also means that you can always be one step ahead of your competitors and become the best in your field. All hard work will come to fruition and it won’t betray.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Gut instincts are normally correct and don’t be afraid to follow them. Sometimes you know yourself better than everyone else. Your gut instinct will tell you what to do in times of hardship, especially when it comes to hard decision making.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Refuse to be discouraged. I believe that any business idea can turn into a billion-dollar idea if you refuse to be discouraged and stay persistent in chasing your goals. All you need is faith and a little push to make it happen.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Excel. Essential for business. I think everyone knows how to utilize Excel but most people don’t know how to make the most out of it. I do believe this one piece of software can help you get organized and address things in a cohesive manner.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
Buying a mental training book for my kids. I believe in investing in my children and the future generation. So I know that the best purchase I’ve had recently was training my kids from a young age to have a strong mental ability. I hope they learn a thing or two from it to apply it to times when they feel stuck or confused.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
The Hunger Games series. The series is a very interesting, captivating novel trilogy. While I know they adapted it into a movie some time ago, there are many other layers in the story when you read it straight from the book. I promise it will be worth your while.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. The movie explores the idea of human connections and how much a life means to other people, how your existence matters no matter what. It also has an optimistic view towards overcoming failures, which I think can move a lot of people to tears. I think this movie serves as a reminder that we tend to overlook the impact we can have on others and their lives. It’s a beautiful movie.
Key learnings:
- Work diligently to maximize productivity. This is the most effective way to find career and business growth.
- When feeling overwhelmed, take time off work and focus on physical health before returning to the task at hand.
- Don’t be easily discouraged, staying the course and remaining dedicated to your vision is the key to reaching your desired goals.