Kashane Walters is a finance manager at RCM Motorsports in Edmonton, Alberta, a position he has held for nearly 15 years.
He graduated from college with a degree in Business Studies, which imbued him with the necessary skills to become an effective finance manager. In his younger days, Kashane was an athlete, competing both on his varsity high school football team and the school’s track and field team. When he has free time, Kashane Walters enjoys snowmobiling and jet skiing.
What do you currently do at your company?
I’m currently a finance manager at RCM Motorsports, located in Edmonton, Alberta. Some of my duties include data analysis, liaising with financial institutions, and writing reports on various subjects. There is also an advisory component to the job. But basically, I work with our customers to devise payment plans enabling them to own one of our vehicles.
What was the inspiration behind your career?
My training is primarily in business. That’s what I studied in school. So, I knew that once I graduated, I would pursue a career of some kind in that realm. The way I came to work for RCM Motorsports took place fairly organically. I’ve always been a motorsports enthusiast. As far back as I can remember, I’ve loved jet-skiing and snowmobiling—things like that. So, when the position of finance manager opened up at the company, it seemed like a perfect fit. I applied and they hired me based on my credentials. In the 14 years that I’ve worked here, I’ve built up a solid reputation and client base of happy customers. I love it here, and I’ve never felt the need to seek employment elsewhere.
What defines your way of doing business?
If I had to characterize my way of conducting business in a few words, I suppose they would be ‘thorough,’ ‘approachable,’ and ‘results-oriented.’
What keys to being productive can you share?
In my case, I’m a big believer in something called ‘deep work.’ It’s a concept wherein you block off a substantial section of time to address your tasks totally free of distraction. Every workday, I spend a few hours with my phone turned off and my door closed, and I apply all my concentration and effort to my important duties—the stuff that requires prolonged thinking. It only works for a few hours, though. No one can keep up that level of intensity all day. So, after I’ve finished with my deep work time, I do all the other things I need to do in my job, such as take meetings and make phone calls.
What would you tell your younger self?
If I could somehow go back in time and speak with my younger self, I would tell him to invest early and often. ‘Time in the market is superior to timing the market,’ or so the old business saying goes. If I had managed to put a few thousand dollars into some stocks when I was a teenager, it would’ve helped me out a great deal later in life. But I never thought about doing that at the time. I think I was too busy studying, playing football, running track, and having a good time. I suppose it’s typical for a teenager to live exclusively in the present, but if I had the opportunity, I would recommend that my younger self think more about the future, at least from a financial standpoint.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through the course of your career?
Never take anything for granted. And I mean anything. Always ask questions and conduct your own research before making any kind of important decision.
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
As I said before, I absolutely love motorsports. It’s one of the great passions in my life. Whenever I have a day off, I can’t wait to get outside in some sort of recreational vehicle. If the weather is warm, my favorite thing to do is find a lake somewhere and hop on a jet ski. If the weather is cold, which it often is in Edmonton—we’re pretty far north in Canada—I love to snowmobile in the wilderness. These activities help me to relieve stress and allow me to appreciate nature.
How would your colleagues describe you?
I think my friends and coworkers would describe me as ‘easy to get along with,’ but also ‘hard-working’ and ‘forward-thinking.’
How do you maintain a solid work life balance?
After almost a decade and a half in this position, I’ve finally trained myself to truly separate my professional life from my personal life. When I’m working, RCM Motorsports gets every ounce of my talent and effort. When I’m off work, I make sure to be present, whether I’m spending time with friends or family, on a snowmobile trail somewhere, or just relaxing at home. When I say it like that, I make it sound easy. But it’s not. It’s actually quite difficult.
What is one piece of technology that helps you the most in your daily routine?
It’s a bit of a boring answer, but I use my smartphone a lot. It’s the main way I communicate with my clients. I also use email to do that, as well.
What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?
Someone that I respect very much once said to me, “Kashane, if you can find a way to get paid for doing something you love, you’ll be more than halfway to a contented and fulfilling life.” I’ve always taken those words to heart and used them to guide my professional decision-making process, which is a big part of the reason I accepted my current role at RCM Motorsports. Heeding that advice has worked out very well for me.
What advice would you give to aspiring to succeed in your field?
Pay attention in school, be forthright with people, and whenever possible, take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. I genuinely think that these are the three pillars on which a successful career as a finance manager rests.
