The Chinese High School

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - College of Business

Raffles Junior College

I build businesses. Co-founder & CEO, Alex Crown.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Alex Crown's mission is to create the most personalized and customer-centric shopping experience that inspires and uplifts. Our vision of the Future of Retail is one that is engaging, inspiring, and tailored to You.

We are building a new and better way to shop for luxury menswear that listens to customers, understands their preferences, and uses this knowledge to anticipate and curate options according to their style DNA. We carry the world’s finest luxury brands focused on the highest standards of craftsmanship, offered at a sensible price. We are redefining the concept of luxury e-commerce, one experience at a time.

At our core, we are a disruptive Fashion Technology startup that hates the status quo and wants to do things differently. Founded by a group of passionate serial entrepreneurs, we are combining our shared experiences in Data Science, Technology, Operations, Customer Service, and Environmental Sustainability to change the future.

Come work with us! Drop us a line at <a href="mailto:info@alexcrown.com">info@alexcrown.com</a>.

Alex Crown

Co-Founder & CEO

Invest  -  Build  -  Consult

Chay Capital is a private investment firm that builds and invests in companies focused on niche markets. We look for businesses that are solving latent needs and building raving fans through authentic relationships. We focus on opportunities in Fashion, Healthcare, Lifestyle Brands, and Fintech. We also provide consulting services to transform your business through better leverage of technology, data, and customer service.

Get in touch via <a href="mailto:ray@chaycapital.com">ray@chaycapital.com</a>.

Chay Capital

Principal

OppFi (Opportunity Financial) is a high-growth, online financial services company that leverages best-in-class Data Analytics and Technology to provide loans to the under-served. OppFi is heavily focused on the customer and firmly believes in providing the best customer service experience possible.

OppFi’s investors include Schwartz Capital Group, an entrepreneurial and dynamic Family Investment Office /  Private Equity firm, and Ares Management, a publicly traded, global asset manager with $150+ billion AUM.

OppFi went public on 7/21/21 under the ticker symbol “OPFI”!

-  Product
-  Operations
-  Business Development / Partnerships / Customer Acquisition / Digital Marketing
-  Strategy
-  HR
-  Analytics
-  Call Center Optimization

<a href="http://www.oppfi.com">www.oppfi.com</a>

OppFi

SVP, Product & Operations

GVW builds companies. Previously partnered with the Carlyle Group, GVW is a private investment firm and Family Office with 7 portfolio companies and a 20+ year successful track record of innovation.

GVW invests in, grows, and provides strategic and operational expertise to scalable, high-growth businesses. GVW's focus ranges from early stage companies to mid-sized mature business. GVW's global footprint encompasses diverse industries such as manufacturing, technology, distribution, big data, engineering, and energy efficiency.

-   Led M&A investments at the holding company and Corporate Development activity for the operating companies
-   Planned, managed, implemented, and executed on strategic and operational initiatives across portfolio companies
-   Competencies -- Finance, Strategy, Analytics, Operations, Business Development, Human Capital Strategy, Accounting, Talent Acquisition, Procurement, IT, and management of Legal Resources

Portfolio companies:
Autocar  -  GVW Parts  -  J.I.T. Parts  -  Triz Engineering Services  -  Aculocity  -  GreenOhm  -  GVW Investments

<a href="http://www.gvwgroup.com">www.gvwgroup.com</a>

GVW Group

Special Assistant to the Chairman

Gozent is a technology startup solution for end-to-end real estate leasing.

Gozent helps landlords manage their properties online by:
- 1) Posting rental listings to major listing websites
- 2) Collecting digital applications and viewing Experian Credit Reports
- 3) Signing digital leases online

-  Provided financial modeling expertise, financial advice, and strategic direction
-  Assisted Founders in capital raising activities, product pitch presentations, and human capital strategy

<a href="http://www.gozent.com">www.gozent.com</a>

Gozent

Enova is a global financial services provider that offers a variety of online credit products in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada.

-  Responsible for UK Installment Loan product --- Pounds 2 Pocket
-  Performed financial modeling, financial analysis, financial reporting, data analytics, and other corporate finance activities
-  Responsible for Corporate Development activity including market research, market sizing, competitive intelligence, deal modeling, and financial due diligence. One of first few inaugural members of Corporate Development team.
-  Performed data analysis for key metrics and led weekly financial and operational KPI updates to senior management

<a href="http://www.enova.com">www.enova.com</a>

Enova

Senior Associate, Corporate Development & Finance

Dare2tri is a Chicago-based nonprofit that aims to positively impact the lives of athletes with physical disabilities or visual impairments by providing opportunities to develop their skills in the sport of Paratriathlon while inspiring the community at large. Dare2tri believes that One Inspires Many.

Ray is deeply inspired by paraathletes who have an unrelenting desire to challenge themselves beyond physical and societal barriers. He firmly believes they set a positive role model for everyone else around them, disabled and able-bodied alike. Ray is extremely proud that Dare2Tri was represented by 2 paralympics at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Ray happens to be a former Ironman who is hopeful he can find time for another triathlon in the near future.

-  Been with club since inception in 2011
-  Board of Directors as Finance Chair (2012-2014) and Strategy & Operations Co-Chair (2014)
-  Provided financial analysis, financial advice, strategic direction, operational expertise, human capital strategic planning, and marketing & branding insights
-  Recipient of 2015 Dare2tri "One Inspires Many" award
-  Currently back to serving as a volunteer and an athlete guide

<a href="http://www.dare2tri.org">www.dare2tri.org</a>

Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club

Board of Directors / Finance Chair / Strategy & Operations (S&O) Co-Chair / Volunteer

Ernst & Young (EY) is a global “Big 4” professional services firm that provides Assurance, Tax, Transaction, and Advisory services.

-  M&A Consulting. Led financial due diligence and provided financial, EBITDA / Quality of Earnings, price / volume, margin, cost structure, and operational analyses as well as other diligence analyses.
-  1 of 3 hires in the select Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) rotation program that provided program candidates opportunities to gain both Transaction and Assurance experience.
-  Spent 3 years in the Assurance practice and rotated to TAS during the summer months. After 3 years, transitioned full-time to TAS.

-  M&A Transactions:
-  Executed ~30 deals with aggregate deal volume >USD $3 billion
-  Buy-side, Sell-side, Carve-outs, Divestitures, International deals, Joint Ventures

-  Industries:
-  Technology
-  Healthcare
-  Industrial Products / Manufacturing
-  Alternative Energy (Wind Energy)
-  Food & Beverage
-  Retail & Consumer products
-  Hospitality

-  Client Base:
-  Private Equity
-  Strategic Corporations

Senior Associate, Transaction Advisory Services

- Led engagement teams providing financial statement auditing & Assurance and internal control auditing services for both SEC Public Companies and Private Companies.

-  Industries:
-  Industrial Products / Manufacturing
-  Retail & Consumer Products
-  Food & Beverage
-  Technology
-  Financial Services (Hedge Funds & Mutual Funds)

Senior Associate, Assurance Services

Ernst & Young

Intern, Assurance Services

- Logistics / Planning for International Military seminars involving >25 countries
-  Collaborated with United Nations (U.N.) and US Military
-  Created and maintained a Military Intranet website

Ray Chay