Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun​

Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun​

Why You Must Love the Problem You Solve - Caleb Avery - S6 - E11

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Will Gray, Chief Operating Officer at Potomac, to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, discipline, personal development, and how creating structure can lead to greater freedom in business and life.

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Guest Info

Will Gray

Will Gray is the Chief Operating Officer at Potomac, an asset management firm serving financial advisors with investment solutions and risk management processes.

Originally from Australia, Will developed a passion for problem-solving during childhood visits to his grandparents’ chicken and cattle farm, where fixing equipment and finding practical solutions were part of everyday life.

After university, Will spent a year traveling the world before moving to New York with little more than a backpack and a goal of working on Wall Street. Through persistence, networking, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty, he built a career in financial services.

Today, Will lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and two young children. He combines his passion for systems, operational efficiency, and decision-making with a disciplined approach to family, health, and personal development.

About this Episode

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Will Gray, Chief Operating Officer at Potomac, to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, discipline, personal development, and how creating structure can lead to greater freedom in business and life.

Highlights

  • Early Inspiration: Developed a problem-solving mindset while working on his grandparents’ farm in rural Australia, learning to make the most of whatever tools were available.
  • Career Turning Point: Traveled the world before arriving in New York with a backpack and pursuing his ambition of working on Wall Street.
  • Professional Mission: As COO of Potomac, focuses on solving operational challenges and improving processes in asset management and financial advisory services.
  • Family Perspective: Moved to Washington, D.C., to build a life near his wife’s extended family and give his children the experience of growing up surrounded by relatives.
  • Health Philosophy: Years of competitive cycling taught him discipline, consistency, and the importance of maintaining routines even when motivation is low.
  • Life Integration: Uses time blocking and structured daily routines to reduce decision fatigue and protect time for family, health, and professional responsibilities.
  • Pivotal Moment: Moving to New York without established connections taught him resilience, persistence, and the importance of creating opportunities through relationships.
  • Leadership Philosophy: Systems and processes reduce unnecessary decisions, allowing leaders to focus their attention on the challenges that matter most.
  • Core Advice: Choose opportunities based on their potential rather than simply the highest paycheck, and continuously improve your decision-making process by learning from mistakes.

Resources

👤 Connect with Today’s Guest – Caleb Avery

Website: https://potomac.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williampcgray/

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