Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Manning
Hi Sara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story started when my parents decided to migrate from Venezuela. The process took longer than they expected. I was ready to finish high school and go to college in Venezuela, but my parents wanted me to wait and finish high school here in the US. During the moving process, due to paperwork, I ended up losing a year while we were waiting. When we finally got to Houston, I had waited a year and was eager to go to college, as my friends back home were already in college. This whole situation gave me a sense of falling behind, which influenced a lot of my actions in the following years as I felt the need to catch up. Now I realize how unnecessary that was, but that was my 17-year-old self.
When I got to high school, they advised my parents to set me back a year to 11th grade (instead of 12th) so that I could improve my English and be more prepared for college. Luckily, my parents took this advice, even though I was not thrilled with the idea of being set back another year. When I got to 12th grade, I had plenty of credits and a lot of time to fill. I had just gotten my work permit and wanted to work. I saw that my school had a class called “Career Preparation,” in which they would try to find you a job that was somewhat related to what you wanted to go to college for, and they would let you leave early from school to go to work. At the time, I knew I wanted to work with numbers, and my only ideas were math majors or accounting; I didn’t know what other options were out there. That program ended up helping me find my job at The DRL Group, a financial investment firm. I started doing assistant work a few hours a day while I went through my senior year. After that year, I decided to go to college for Finance. I had fallen in love with the work and, even with the little I understood at the time, I was passionate about learning more and discovering what else I could do.
I continued to work part-time and go to school full-time at the University of Houston. I took as many classes as I could and enrolled in all summer and winter classes to graduate as quickly as possible. I was eager to finish due to wanting to catch up, but also because the company was growing, and I could see that they would offer an opportunity as a trader if the timing was right. I wanted to finish before all positions were taken. During my last year in college, I started taking the tests for the licenses I needed to become a trader after college. This was a very challenging year for me, as I was taking extra classes every semester, working, and studying for the tests. My job that year had also become very stressful and challenging; I was managing one of the biggest projects we had done at the time. It was IT-related and very sensitive, so it required a lot of long, late hours. When I finished school, I was almost ready to go. I was only missing one license, and it felt like all my hard work had paid off. I ended up double majoring in Finance and Human Resources because I became very interested in how to work with people and deal with different personalities, and I have been learning about people ever since.
At some point, I considered changing schools to a different city, but I decided that work experience and the relationships I had at my current job would be more valuable than going to a different school.
I finished taking my licenses after school, and I was ready to go a few months later—the real trading began! Trading is a skill that takes years to understand; there are so many patterns and influences that there is always something to learn, which keeps it fun and interesting!
For the next 10 years, I focused on my trading skills and understanding how technology was impacting our markets. We have been developing technology for the last 15 years, and it has been incredible to see what we have accomplished and how quickly our markets are changing.
A significant part of my focus has been on technology, specifically learning how to bridge the gap between our needs as traders and portfolio managers and the developer’s world. By thoroughly understanding the intricacies of trading and identifying our team’s needs, I have initiated projects that directly benefit our operations. My focus has been on pinpointing areas of disconnect, identifying our key pain points, and addressing our weaknesses. This has been pivotal in my career, enabling me to identify our needs and understand how developers can create solutions that are both efficient and cost-effective. Over the years, I have honed my ability to communicate effectively with both our team and our developers to achieve the best possible outcomes and meet our goals.
My current role as principal has been a long-term goal. Achieving this position required a deep understanding of our markets, clients, and compliance requirements. I began studying for the necessary licenses in 2019, and it took about three years to complete them all. In retrospect, obtaining the licenses was the straightforward part. I have been fortunate to have the guidance and trust of our team, and it has taken years of learning and navigating various situations to be prepared to take on the associated risks and provide effective leadership.
I will forever be thankful for the decisions my parents made all those years ago to move and put me on the right path!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has not been entirely smooth, particularly because I am in a very male-dominated field. This was especially challenging at the beginning of my career when I felt the need to prove myself more than others. Being an immigrant woman can easily lead to being overlooked if you allow it. I had to work hard to learn how to carve out space for myself and others, which is not always well-received.
Taking my licenses at a young age was also a significant challenge. I had to learn much more quickly and with less experience than many of my peers, but it was an opportunity I fought hard for and could not afford to pass up. I knew I could succeed, and that it would be the start of my career.
Going to college shortly after moving to the US was another learning experience. We had to navigate a new education system, which involved making some costly mistakes along the way. My resources to pay for school were limited since I was still living in the US on a visa. However, I was determined to attend college because, in my mind, I needed to catch up. Balancing a full-time school schedule with work to pay for my education required me to be very disciplined with my time and adhere to a strict schedule.
Working in a family business has its own set of challenges. Fortunately, I developed a strong relationship with my mentor early on, and by the time discussions about business and career began, my work ethic and values were already well established. I believe that taking my time to thoroughly understand the business and how it operates was crucial in earning the family’s trust and being able to step into a leadership role.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize in the bond market, helping provide fixed-income solutions for our clients. You can expect this singular focus from the DRL Group. “We are Masters of One”, having spent decades doing one thing well: fixed-income investing.
All clients receive the personal attention they deserve. We take the time to understand each client’s needs based on their tax bracket, age, goals, and financial situation. We continuously analyze and update strategies to meet our clients’ evolving individual objectives for income, growth, and asset protection. And, our clients deal directly with the owners of the firm—not junior advisors or a call center. We know our clients’ time is extremely valuable, so when a client calls, we pick up the phone. You can always expect good, old-fashioned service.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
It is hard to choose just one, but here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:
Having a mentor can change your life. I cannot imagine where I would be without mine. He changed how I saw the world and what I was capable of, gave me an opportunity when I needed it, and has helped me navigate life ever since.
Making myself uncomfortable is another important lesson. I believe in doing things that scare me—asking the tough questions, seeking out opportunities, taking on jobs that challenge me, taking chances that might pay off, and enrolling in courses on subjects I’m not familiar with but find interesting. I always look forward to adapting to new situations and staying focused on what I want to achieve.
Always looking to learn new things has also been crucial. The willingness to continuously learn keeps me growing and evolving.
Knowing how to work with different types of people can make all the difference. Understanding how someone operates, identifying their strengths, and helping them develop those strengths is key. Not everyone will be the top performer in every area, but fostering loyalty, camaraderie, and honesty can lead to success. Businesses thrive when everyone is working to their strengths, and building camaraderie is challenging but essential. Learning how to balance friendliness and guidance can strengthen relationships and teams.
Learning to manage different personalities is not always easy. It requires taking the high road or deciding who you allow to influence your life. This is a continuous learning process that never truly ends.
Finally, being accountable is essential. Understanding that your actions are yours alone and being honest about the consequences will always serve you well.
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