Konstantin Lichtenwald

Konstantin Lichtenwald is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur and business leader with more than 15 years of experience in accounting, corporate compliance, financial management, reverse takeover services, and IPOs. Presently, Konstantin serves as an executive and senior leader at three Vancouver firms, including Zeus Capital Ltd., Reverse-Takeovers.com, and Lichtenwald Professional Corporation (LPC).

A seasoned CPA with extensive expertise in corporate accounting, corporate finance, and initial public offerings, Konstantin offers the value of in-depth knowledge and insight to businesses across two important global financial markets, including the German-speaking regions of Europe, and North America. Konstantin’s financial and accounting skills inform and drive his multi-tiered approach to problem-solving and strategic management, as does his expertise in corporate financial reporting, finance, taxation, valuation, and business consulting.

As Managing Director at Zeus Capital Ltd., Konstantin provides boutique corporate finance services in the areas of corporate restructuring, business partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, public listings, fund raisins, and strategic investments. Konstantin has served at Zeus Capital since 2019.

As Co-founder at Reverse Takeovers, Konstantin leads a team of reverse takeover and IPO process experts who work with businesses aiming to go public. Konstantin founded Reverse Takeovers in 2019.

Additionally, Konstantin serves as Partner and leader at Lichtenwald Professional Corporation, which specializes in financial reporting, taxation, corporate finance, accounting, and consulting solutions for public companies and small businesses.

Konstantin also serves as CFO at Level 7 Global Holdings Corp (2017-present), a Vancouver-based holdings firm, and as Accounting Instructor at Vancouver Community College (2016-present). As Instructor, he teaches classes in both Vancouver and Umgebung, Canada.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I have an extensive background as a CPA, and I have worked directly with public companies of various sizes. I had seen firsthand what companies go through at each stage of development and growth. Equipped with that experience, I felt it was time to start my own company and put that knowledge and skillset to the test. I wanted to utilize what I knew and what I’d seen and take things to the next level and provide companies the tools needed to navigate the IPO process and pursue their own growth objectives. I know this field well and believe both my team and I offer a one-stop-shop experience unparalleled in this area.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

What’s really great about this role and what I do is that there is no “typical” day. Every day and every situation is different, which provides an ongoing and exciting professional and intellectual challenge. That said, managing the dynamics of this office and field require a solid approach to time management. An effective time management strategy is key to making each day as productive as possible. My aim is to get the most out of every hour and make everything I do count, and I think that perspective has continually helped ensure we get the most out of every meeting, call, conference, and task we undertake.

How do you bring ideas to life?

We work together, both as a team and with our clients, to zero in on problems, brainstorm ideas, and map out creative solutions that deliver the best pathway for going public and achieving client objectives. We work closely with clients to identify potential problems and present creative solutions that empower opportunity and growth.

For us, collaboration, open communication, and transparency are the keys not only for developing outside-the-box solutions but ensuring effective, efficient implementation that benefits clients and furthers their interests from end to end.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Of all the trends and innovations sweeping across the business community, I think cryptocurrency is among the most exciting. It’s still a fairly new and disruptive technology, and it’s so dynamic. It’s not only challenging what we know about currency and commerce, but it’s also shaking things up in terms of finance, investing, and so on. There are so many players and so many moving pieces, and new cryptos and tokens are seemingly entering the field almost every day. I’m excited to see where it goes and how it evolves.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit I think impacts both my outlook and productivity is my workout routine. I work out on a regular basis. I believe it not only helps keep my body in shape but provides the energy and stimulation to remain clear-headed and keep moving and tackling new challenges every day. It’s hard to be successful as a business owner and leader without consistent stamina and mental clarity, and I think that workout habit contributes to that in a significant way.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Keep networking. Don’t stop networking. Always work on cultivating those connections and building new ones. The business world is all about relationships, and no matter who you are and where you happen to be in your career – or even who you work for – those relationships can and will provide a vital resource that can help support and further your objectives in a variety of ways. Keep nurturing those connections and never stop building new ones.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Nothing really comes to mind on this one. I believe in the value of hard work, collaboration, and cultivating relationships, which most, if not all, of my colleagues would wholeheartedly agree with.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I’m always seeking new opportunities to expand my knowledge and grow my skill set. I’m committed to education and staying on top of the latest news and technology affecting my field and the process of taking a business public. That said, I wholeheartedly recommend every serious business leader and entrepreneur make a similar commitment to education and professional betterment. It’s impossible to know too much or have too much knowledge, especially if you’re aiming to survive and grow in a fast-paced business environment. Education and constant learning are critical for entrepreneurs, and success is difficult to achieve without them.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I think one of the biggest things at the core of our growth and success as an operation has been our commitment to sincerity and honesty. Always being honest and upfront with partners and clients at all times has been paramount. We pride ourselves on being trustworthy and transparent in every situation and with everyone we work with. Otherwise, our integrity would be nil. Without that foundation of trust, it’d be hard to maintain efficiency, much less move forward or maintain the relationships that drive our success.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Not every project works out, and every failure is an opportunity to learn. It’s important, essential even, to take every mistake or failure as a learning opportunity, build from it and use it as an example of what not to do in the future. You certainly will make other mistakes down the line. It’s inevitable. But those mistakes or failures are how we learn and grow, both as professionals and as organizational leaders. Don’t dwell on past failures, certainly, but understand their value and how they can make you better in the future.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I’m not really sure I have a solid business idea to give out at the moment, as I am extremely focused on what I do and ensuring an efficient process for each client. All I can say is that if you have a good idea, don’t be afraid to pursue it. Innovation doesn’t happen without entrepreneurial will. I know that’s advice, but that’s the best I have at the moment.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I recently spent money on improving my office space, which has brought new energy to the office and has resulted in increased productivity. It was a small spend that has made a big difference.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Microsoft Excel is perhaps the most used software tool in our office, and it’s definitely a big part of maintaining high levels of efficiency and productivity. Our business is all about numbers, processing numbers, getting the math right, et cetera, and Excel provides the framework for that and for tracking everything we do at each stage of the process. It’s all about Excel.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I would have to say Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear. The author does a great job of breaking down what habits are and how to build good habits from the ground up. It’s a pretty practical guide for how to change your behavior and engage in the habits that empower productivity and success. I highly recommend it.

What is your favorite quote?

“Until we can manage time, we can manage nothing else.” – Peter Drucker. This is so true in my situation, and I believe it is so apt for anyone running and building a business.

Key Learnings:

• Practice good time management. If you have a solid framework for managing your time each day, you’re better prepared for whatever comes your way tomorrow, no matter the challenge.
• Always be networking. Relationships are the lifeblood of any business. Never stop building them. Always focus on creating new connections and growing your network of support.
• Failure is opportunity. In business, mistakes are going to happen. It’s those that choose to learn from those failures that are best equipped to overcome them and realize their full potential.