In this episode of The Capital Play, CJ Hawkins sits down with former pro basketball player turned investment banker, Varun Ajjarapu. After playing overseas in Croatia, Varun made an ambitious pivot into high finance, breaking into the industry without the traditional background and rising through the ranks at two boutique investment banks.

From deal flow to mindset, Varun shares how competitive athletics shaped his approach to the world of M&A, what it’s really like working at lean boutique firms like Thunder Rock Capital, and why relationships, not resumes, often open the biggest doors. Whether you're eyeing a career in finance or just love a good underdog story, this episode delivers game from both sides of the court.

In this episode of The Capital Play, CJ sits down with Chris West, a New Orleans native whose story is anything but traditional. From breaking into elite M&A at Rothschild to deploying billions in private equity at HarbourVest and H.I.G. Capital, Chris carved out a high-impact investing career before pivoting into operating roles at high-growth companies across the U.S. and Africa.

Now pursuing his MBA at Stanford GSB, Chris opens up about:

• His unconventional path from humble beginnings to high finance
• The real lessons from billion-dollar deals in PE
• What drew him to the search fund model and how he's approaching it
• The moment that reminded him most of game-time decision-making
• Advice for students and professionals trying to play at the highest level

This one’s packed with insight, real talk, and sharp strategy.

In this debut episode of The Capital Play, CJ sits down with Jake Chasan to unpack his journey through some of the most competitive corners of high finance — from investment banking at Goldman Sachs to venture capital at Sapphire Ventures, and now the MBA program at Stanford GSB.

They dive deep into the real differences between IB and VC, not just in terms of work style but in mindset, pacing, and how relationships are built. Jake shares two standout stories from his career that reveal how much nuance there is behind closed doors.

Whether you’re just breaking into finance or trying to figure out your next step, this conversation offers clear insight on how to navigate the game, spot the right opportunities, and stay grounded while aiming high.