Kevin Hicks, Wilmington Market Manager for the Center for Private Business, sat down with Greg Stephenson of 910 Advisors to discuss how young professionals in Wilmington can reach their full potential.

Kevin: “Managing a team doesn’t come with a rulebook. Do you approach leadership with a specific philosophy?”

Greg: “I once had a boss who made me feel like I could conquer the world even after I’d failed miserably. They asked the kinds of questions that helped me learn from my failures, and I try to model that.”

Kevin: “So you’re approaching your team with deep-rooted trust that they will succeed in the long run?”

Greg: “Absolutely. I’ve always looked to hire good, bright people. I’ll give them the tools and guidance they need but then let them lead. There will be growing pains, but experience is a great teacher.”

Kevin: “Experience is a great teacher. What a great motto. Is there a word of caution you would give to an eager professional who wants to conquer their role?”

Greg: “First and foremost, take care of the job you have. I’ve seen younger employees so focused on the next role that they lose sight of their current responsibilities. Keep your head down, do your job exceptionally well, and you won’t have to worry about the next step—it will find you.”

Kevin: “What management advice would you give to a C-Suite professional?”

Greg: “Don’t be afraid to hire people smarter than you.”

Kevin: “Let’s pivot to talk about exit plans. How has 910 Advisors approached an exit plan?”

Greg: “We recognized early on the importance of forming with the end in mind. My partners have been part of company exits in past roles, so we’ve benefited from that hindsight in shaping our approach. To drive home the point, it is never too early to plan and always refine your plan as the business environment changes.”

Kevin: “What advice would you give a company focused on exit planning?”

Greg: “The right time to think about exit planning is from the very beginning. It forces you to ask questions you might otherwise avoid, and it influences how you build and structure your company with the future in mind.”

Kevin: “Building with structure in mind is a perfect way to put it. At the Center for Private Business, we’re eager to help Wilmington companies connect with seasoned leaders who have walked-the-walk before and be the bridge for East Coast businesses looking to work on their business skillset as a whole.”

Learn more about professional leadership development and Succession planning with the Center at cpb.wfu.edu. Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us @centerforprivatebusiness to learn about business events happening in Wilmington in early 2026.