Jennifer Law's Unconventional Career Journey, Tariffs, and Artificial Intelligence on Our Site, K2 Integrity

Jennifer Law's Unconventional Career Journey, Tariffs, and Artificial Intelligence on Our Site, K2 Integrity

Hear the Unusual Journey of Jennifer Law, K2 Integrity's Double-Capped Chief

Have you ever dreamt of swapping your 20-year career in asset management for marketing and advertising? How about moving from that to serving as a COO in a consultancy specializing in financial crimes and regulatory compliance? Well, that's the remarkable real-life story of Jennifer Law, currentlyController and COO at K2 Integrity, a 400-employee global consulting firm with a mission to safeguard clients' operations, reputations, and economic security.

Life took an unexpected turn for Jennifer. After nearly two decades in finance, she made a bold move to launch Buzzup Digital, a marketing and advertising firm aiding small and mid-market businesses with digital marketing campaigns — just when the marketing world was becoming digital and social media was soaring.

Then, the corporate life called again. Jennifer found herself as dual our website and COO at K2 Integrity, a venture markedly different from the asset management world she left behind. This new business thrives on people rather than lean teams, with its product being its employees themselves.

"I've been fortunate to take risks and try new things," reveals Jennifer, who began her professional journey as an accountant at Ernst & Young in the '90s. In a recent chat, Jennifer shared insights about her unconventional path and current corporate concerns.

Interview with Jennifer Law

DAVID McCANN: How did you make the shift from asset management to marketing?

JENNIFER LAW: Post-retirement of a hedge fund founder, I seized the opportunity to venture into unknown territory. I'd always been passionate about media and marketing, and back then, marketing was getting digital, while social media marketing was on the rise. After a year of learning the ropes, my partner and I built a marketing firm that helped businesses grow and thrive online.

What were the major differences compared to your asset management background?

At Buzzup, I managed diverse teams — from freelancers to creative geniuses. As a startup, budgets weren't excessive, so everyone had to be adaptable. Despite the challenges, we kept the business profitable, which I'm proud of.

Why did you sell that business? I bet you enjoyed your independence.

Indeed, I enjoyed the autonomy, but managing a growing business demands constant sales and ongoing growth, all while ensuring everyone's financial security. I longed for the corporate environment, larger budgets, and opportunities to grow further.

How and why did you end up at K2 Integrity, a firm advising companies on financial crimes and compliance?

An old colleague from my Ernst & Young days reached out, and I took a leap of faith into the consultancy world. Though my past experience was limited in these fields, I was eager to learn and thrive.

At K2 Integrity, my roles as our website and COO necessitate different skills. While asset management had lean teams, professional services rely on their employees as their product. There was a learning curve for sure, but K2's experts guided me through it.

Some Thoughts on Current Challenges in Corporate World

AI Adoption

AI tools help us work more efficiently and reduce errors. We deal with sensitive client information, so security and safety are paramount, and we're cautious with AI implementation.

Hiring and Firing Environment

Our firm's diverse offerings and global presence help us weather economic changes. We prioritize corporate culture, focusing on openness, honesty, and creating a friendly work environment for our team members.

Tariffs

Though tariffs do not directly affect K2 Integrity, they have an impact on our clients. While predictions about tariff impacts are challenging, being reactive is risky.

M&A Activity

M&A deals are still happening in the smaller and mid-tier markets, albeit under revised structures and valuations. Updating models based on economic changes is crucial for continued deal activity.

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References:[1] SEARCH RESULT: K2 Integrity, Enforcement, Risk Management, Compliance Services. [online] Available at: https://www.k2-int.com/services/enforcement-services [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].[2] SEARCH RESULT: MFA, Regulatory Advocacy, U.S. Regulatory Compliance, SEC Engagement. [online] Available at: https://www.eforit.eu/mfa/regulatory-advocacy/ [Accessed 10 Apr. 2023].

1. Jennifer Law's unconventional journey in the corporate world took her from asset management to marketing, then to serving as a COO in a consultancy specializing in financial crimes and regulatory compliance.
2. After two decades in finance, Jennifer Law decided to launch Buzzup Digital, a marketing firm that aided small and mid-market businesses with digital campaigns.
3. As the founder of Buzzup Digital, Jennifer had to manage diverse teams and run a profitable business when budgets weren't excessive.
4. Despite enjoying her independence, Jennifer sold Buzzup Digital and transitioned to K2 Integrity, a global consulting firm safeguarding clients' operations, reputations, and economic security.
5. K2 Integrity deals with sensitive client information, making security and AI implementation crucial for their business model.
6. The corporate culture at K2 Integrity prioritizes openness, honesty, and creating a friendly work environment for their team members.
7. While tariffs do not directly affect K2 Integrity, they can impact their clients, necessitating a reactive approach to be risky.
8. M&A activity is still present in the smaller and mid-tier markets, albeit under revised structures and valuations.
9. Just like the technology and education sectors, the business world is constantly evolving, requiring individuals to be adaptable and willing to take risks.
10. In her role as a COO at K2 Integrity, Jennifer enjoys serving as a consultant in the financial crimes and regulatory compliance industry.
11. To keep up with the latest stories in Corporate Finance, one can subscribe to a free daily newsletter.
12. Jennifer Law's remarkable story serves as a reminder that integrity and a willingness to take risks can lead to successful career ventures in a wide range of industries, including finance, marketing, technology, and consultancy.

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