Ryan Lemenager

Entrepreneur Building RJ Stevens | Husband and Father | Former Investment Banker | Chicago Booth MBA | Long Time Suffering Fighting Illini Fan

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Left my investment banking job 5 months after my son was born. Why?

80-hour weeks meant I was missing everything. First smiles. First laughs. The tiny moments that make life worth it.

Knew I had to build something different. Something meaningful.

We named our new company RJ Stevens - after my son (RJ) and my dad (Steven), who taught me that golf isn't just a sport. It's where bonds are built and memories are made that last a lifetime (not to brag but we are the reigning father/son champions at his local club).

Yes, I'm still working long hours getting this off the ground. But now when I look up from my laptop, I see my son. And I'm building something that will help other families create those same special moments.

Here's what we noticed: Most kids' golf gear is just boring, scaled-down adult equipment. We're changing that with colorful headcovers, gloves, and towels specifically designed to bring smiles to kids' faces on the course.

Because when kids are having fun, they fall in love with the game. Parents tell us their kids now BEG to go to the range. They're proudly showing off their gear to friends. That spark of passion? That's everything to us.

Received this photo from one of the first customers to receive their gear with the text "My 4, 6 and 8-year-old haven't taken off their RJ Stevens glove since they arrived"

We're just getting started, but these are moments that help us realize it's all worth it.

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Still nothing better than seeing kids fall in love with the game. Glad we could be a small part of it!

[Tim Michaels - Franchise Consultant @kickstartmyfran]

Nothing better than playing golf with your son! He loved his new RJ Stevens glove

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@kickstartmyfran Looking good! He’ll be beating you in no time!

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

I think "being the father you wanted to be" is different for everyone.

I was still working 70-80+ hours each week which considered of 12-1am most nights and almost every Sunday starting around 10am.

I knew plenty of VPs/Directors that were dads and were making it work for their family, so I knew it was possible. Just wasn't what I wanted for mine.

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

I think "being the father you wanted to be" is different for everyone.

I was still working 70-80+ hours each week which considered of 12-1am most nights and almost every Sunday starting around 10am.

I knew plenty of VPs/Directors that were dads and were making it work for their family, so I knew it was possible. Just wasn't what I wanted for mine.

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

I absolutely did. I think my main point is if you want to get into banking, which people who want to make a shit ton of money but understand they will work significantly more than average, there is no better place to do it than Baird.

Maybe it needs to be adjusted to Baird outside of industrials but hard to say.

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

I was not in industrials but my banking experience at Baird was extremely different. I did hear that industrials was much different than all of the other groups but I stand by it was the best bank I could’ve worked for.

We were compensated just as much if not more than other banks especially if you consider that our bonuses were 100% cash vs other banks having a vested stock component.

I worked 3 Saturday’s in my 3 years. One time I worked on Saturday because I was at a bar waiting for my wife to finish a nail appointment. I immediately got a call from my director telling me to never do that again and on Monday my MD reinforced that message.

I left because I knew I couldn’t be the father I wanted to be while doing banking but I stand by that there is no better place to do investment banking than Baird.

[Boring_Business @BoringBiz_]

Recent anecdote on work culture within Baird industrials

> consistent 4 AM nights
> ridiculed for going to gym during week
> no respect for weekend policy

If you worked in this group or a similar sweaty culture group, would love to hear more about your experience

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Top 5 day of the year. Let’s hope this lives up to the hype!

[Fried Egg Golf @fried_egg_golf]

Saying goodbye to friends and family to watch golf the rest of the day

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@kickstartmyfran @CostaKapo Appreciate the support!

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@theraleighwill How did you balance going all in on one business vs continuing with multiple?

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Love this advice. Maybe a glove from https://t.co/gAQkzcb6c9 but agree it’s all about helping them fall in love with the game on their own!

[Bendelow Greens @BendelowGreens]

My advice to all parents with toddlers and you want them to like golf. You don’t need to spend $1,000’s of dollars on clubs and lessons.

1. Buy a $25 set of Little Tikes clubs
2. Buy foam balls and throw the plastic ones away
3. Leave golf on TV.

Kids are literal sponges at that age, they are very good at mimicking. Don’t force it, show them the correlation, just leave the set by the tv and watch. Don’t worry about grip, swing or anything. Toddlers watching is the better than any parent or pro coaching. You will thank me 😉

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@BendelowGreens Love this advice. Maybe a glove from https://t.co/gAQkzcb6c9 but agree it’s all about helping them fall in love with the game on their own!

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Every dad out there can relate to this experience.

Love every part of the Par 3 contest.

[ESPN @espn]

"No, no, no, no, Sophie. We can't eat that. ... I don't know what that is."

Jordan Spieth mic'd up while chasing his daughter around is too relatable 😂 #themasters

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@_jameslincoln Digital

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@garydamatogolf @Wisdotgolf Thanks for stopping by and taking some time to speak with us! It was great to meet you and look forward to growing the game for the next generation!

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

As he mentions you can find everything you need spark your kids love for golf on our website! https://t.co/gAQkzcb6c9

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Gary spends a lot of time writing on all things golf and we are very honored he used a bit of that time to write about us.

It was a great weekend at the Milwaukee Golf Show and we loved meeting everyone who came out!

Can’t wait to continue growing the game we all love!

[Gary D'Amato @garydamatogolf]

The Sweet Spot: What we liked at the Greater Milwaukee Golf Show; plus, the PGA Family Golf Championship at Kohler courses https://t.co/uiAO7Tft1P via @wisdotgolf

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@iamnickyates Truly in a league of their own!

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

Had a wholesaler buy 50 headcovers yesterday.

We typically ship everything in custom poly mailers but because I’m bringing them to the Milwaukee Golf Show, I needed to put them in boxes.

These are the only ones I had available.

Can’t tell if it helps or hurts coming from a kids brand, but at least they know we’re authentic!

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@emailmaxxing Online at https://t.co/gAQkzcb6c9

[Ryan Lemenager @ryanlemenager]

@katynugent42 Anything to get by in the early days!