Aravind Nair, a Vice President at Nolan & Associates, joined the team in 2017. As part of our Meet the Team series, we spoke with Aravind about his early experience in investment banking, his role at Nolan, and his interests outside the office.
How did you get started in your career, and what inspired you to choose this path?
My interest in finance began early during my studies at Case Western Reserve University, where I pursued both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Finance. I took on three different internships in Portland, OR, and later gained hands-on deal experience at a middle-market investment bank, where I helped close a sell-side transaction and two IPOs.
Those experiences sparked my passion for advising business owners and gave me an early window into the impact thoughtful M&A advice can have. That passion led me to Nolan in 2017, where I was one of the earliest junior hires.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part is helping business owners navigate one of the most significant milestones of their lives. I enjoy being involved throughout the process, from preparing materials to managing diligence to facilitating meetings with large strategic buyers and private equity groups. I take pride in knowing my work helps unlock meaningful value for our clients.
What is the best piece of professional advice you have received?
The best advice I have received is to leave ego at the door, roll up your sleeves and focus on doing good work every day, no matter what role you are currently in. That means being willing to do whatever the situation calls for, whether it is leading from the front, working quietly behind the scenes, or simply supporting the team in whatever way possible from the sidelines.
What is one thing your colleagues might not know about you?
In my free time I like to write poetry and short stories. It’s a fun break from my usual finance work and a way to put ideas on paper in a different way. I usually keep what I write to myself, but it’s something I enjoy just for fun. Sometimes it’s just a few lines that come to me during the day, other times it turns into a longer piece. I don’t take it too seriously, but it’s a creative outlet that helps me see the world from a unique perspective.
How do you like to spend your time outside of the office?
Outside of work, I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts, especially ones that focus on storytelling and topics outside of business. Music is another big part of my life, I’m a huge 60s, 70s and 80s rock fan and love going to rock concerts whenever I get the chance.
I enjoy exploring Portland, whether that means trying new wines, checking out new coffee spots, hitting up a hole-in-the-wall dive bar, or experiencing the city’s incredible food scene. At home, I like playing board games and video games with friends, and I spend plenty of time with my cat, Chusi. Living here also gives me plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the outdoors.
What’s an interest you’ve always wanted to pursue but haven’t yet?
Two interests I have always wanted to pursue are music and languages. As a classic rock fan, I have always wanted to learn guitar so I can play along with some of my favorite songs. I am already bilingual, but I would like to get more fluent in Spanish, which I studied in high school, and also learn languages such as Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Russian.