Paul Scribner of Raven Resources, a distinguished financier and philanthropist, has built a remarkable career characterized by his strategic business understanding and commitment to positive global change. Based in Dallas, Texas, Paul leverages his extensive expertise in asset-based financing, residential real estate, private initiatives, industrial development, regulatory compliance, and philanthropic endeavors to make a lasting impact in both the financial world and his community.
Over the past twenty-plus years, Paul Scribner of Raven Resources has adeptly managed complex business transactions, often under tight deadlines. He has worked with a strategic investment firm and a consultancy family office, where he led a multidisciplinary team to achieve significant business objectives. This diverse background has honed his skills in corporate finance, restructuring, and high-stakes deal-making.
Career Highlights
As a financial executive, Paul Scribner of Raven Resources has consistently demonstrated a knack for navigating complex financial landscapes. During his tenure as the Chief Financial Officer for a prominent mid-market construction company in Missouri, he oversaw financial operations and strategic planning, contributing significantly to the company’s growth and stability. His role involved representing a lumber company in asset sales, where his negotiation and deal structuring expertise ensured successful outcomes.
His work further exemplifies Paul’s proficiency in managing intricate financial transactions as a trust protector for a large trust organization. He orchestrated the capitalization and transfer of assets to a secondary company, showcasing his ability to handle complex trust management tasks. Moreover, his role as a chief restructuring officer saw him navigate the windup, liquidation, and deregistration of a company in Switzerland, demonstrating his strategic leadership and financial acumen.
One of Paul’s notable achievements includes leading the cross-border divestiture of assets for a Dallas-based family office. This complex transaction spanned multiple countries, including Australia, Ireland, Liechtenstein, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and England. His global perspective and ability to manage international financial dealings underscore his comprehensive skill set.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul Scribner of Raven Resources is deeply committed to philanthropy. He actively supports charitable organizations and initiatives, utilizing his financial insight and resources to drive positive social change. For over thirteen years, Paul was the executive director of a grant-making foundation he co-founded with his wife. Together, they have made over ten million dollars in charitable contributions and grants, demonstrating a steadfast dedication to improving the lives of others.
Personal Interests
Paul’s passion extends beyond finance and philanthropy to the world of art. An avid art collector, he recognizes the value of art as both an investment and a source of cultural enrichment. Paul Scribner Raven Resources has cultivated a keen eye for identifying exceptional pieces, building a diverse collection that reflects his appreciation for artistic excellence. He actively engages with the art community, attending exhibitions, auctions, and cultural events to stay informed about emerging trends and artists.
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What does your typical day look like, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts with going to my trading screens, then followed by a morning routine and planning my day. I prioritize my tasks using a to-do list and focus on completing the hardest tasks first. I make the hardest calls first. This helps me stay organized and productive throughout the day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life by “going wild” with ideas, to see what sticks, then creating a detailed plan. This plan includes clear objectives, actionable steps, and deadlines. I involve key stakeholders and team members in the process to get different perspectives and ensure all aspects are covered. Regular progress reviews and adjustments keep the project on track.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These technologies are transforming industries by enabling smarter decision-making, automating routine tasks, and creating new opportunities for innovation.
What is one habit of yours that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is not thinking negatively.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to not be afraid of failure. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace challenges and keep pushing forward.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that work-life balance is a myth and that the key is to integrate work and life seamlessly. By finding ways to blend personal and professional activities, we can achieve greater satisfaction and productivity in both areas.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I consistently invest in my team and others. By providing support, resources, and opportunities for growth, I help them reach their full potential. This investment not only enhances their skills and productivity but also fosters a positive and collaborative work environment.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I say out loud “I will not be overwhelmed.” This helps me regain my focus and approach tasks with a fresh perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career? Please explain how.
One strategy that has helped me is focusing on the most important task at hand and doing only that. This approach ensures that my efforts are concentrated on what truly matters, leading to more effective and efficient progress. Prioritizing the next critical task has consistently driven better results and overall success.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One significant failure was a product launch that did not meet market expectations. I overcame it by gathering feedback and analyzing what went wrong and evaluating my options from there.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea revolves around the principle that you can’t be more upset about a situation than the person most affected by it. If they aren’t worried, neither should you be. If they aren’t stressed, you shouldn’t be either. This mindset helps maintain perspective and emotional balance in business dealings and relationships.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Superhuman is an advanced email client designed to enhance productivity and efficiency. It offers a blazingly fast email experience, helping users achieve Inbox Zero with ease. Key features include the ability to automate typing with AI, and Snippets, which allows users to insert common phrases, entire paragraphs, or even whole emails quickly. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in communication across a team.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was on a small gorilla figurine that sits on the right side of my desk. This quirky addition has significantly improved my focus and productivity by serving as a fun and constant reminder to stay positive and lighthearted during work. Its presence helps create a more enjoyable and engaging workspace, allowing me to concentrate better and communicate more effectively.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast (or both) you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of my favorite books is ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear. It provides practical strategies for building good habits and breaking bad ones, which has been invaluable in improving my productivity and achieving my goals.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The “Godfather of Harlem” provides rich examples of strategic thinking, resilience, and leadership that are applicable to the business world. By studying Bumpy Johnson’s approach to his challenges, business leaders can glean insights into effective management, adaptability, and the importance of strategic alliances.
Key Learnings
- Morning Routines Matter: Establishing a consistent morning routine, including reviewing trading screens and planning the day, can set a positive tone and boost productivity by tackling the hardest tasks first.
- Embrace AI and Machine Learning: These technologies are transforming industries by enabling smarter decision-making, automating routine tasks, and creating new opportunities for innovation.
- Positive Thinking: Maintaining a habit of not thinking negatively helps in staying productive and focused.
- Integrate Work and Life: Blending personal and professional activities seamlessly can lead to greater satisfaction and productivity, challenging the conventional notion of work-life balance.
- Invest in Your Team: Providing support, resources, and opportunities for growth to team members enhances their skills and productivity, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Stay Focused Under Pressure: When feeling overwhelmed, using affirmations like “I will not be overwhelmed” helps regain focus and approach tasks with a fresh perspective.
- Prioritize Critical Tasks: Focusing on the most important task at hand ensures efforts are concentrated on what truly matters, leading to effective and efficient progress.
- Learn from Failure: Analyzing feedback and evaluating options after a failure, such as a product launch that didn’t meet expectations, can provide valuable insights and improvements.
- Maintain Perspective: In business dealings, understanding that you shouldn’t be more upset than the person most affected helps maintain emotional balance and perspective
- Use Productivity Tools: Leveraging advanced software like Superhuman can enhance productivity and efficiency, helping achieve Inbox Zero and ensuring consistent communication across teams.