Regents Bank – Dan C. Yates

Hello Readers,

Today I had the privilege of meeting Dan Yates, who is the President & CEO of Regents Bank. Upon entering the building, one could tell that this is not a commercial bank – plenty of mahogany furniture with an English-like theme. After speaking with the lady at the front desk, she directed us to the offices upstairs, where we were graciously greeted by some of the staff and offered refreshments.

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Before I introduce you to Dan Yates, let me tell you a little bit about the bank. Regents Bank is a specialized bank dedicated to serving small to mid-size businesses ($5 million to $75 million in revenues). They pride themselves on being a bank that offers strategies and solutions to business owners and are known for their Entrepreneurial Banking. Their “top priority” is to build relationships and be a resource for their customers’ financial success.

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After walking into his office along with 4 others, I introduced myself and firmly shook Dan’s hand. I sat across from him and listened to his journey to becoming CEO. Upon graduating from SDSU with a BA in Finance-Business Administration, he found himself in a place where most post graduates usually reside – stuck, not knowing where to go or what to do in life. So, as to prolong his decision process, he decided to join a Manager-In-Training program at a bank. Only after the program, did he realize that he didn’t want to be a manager at a bank. However, he decided to stay and commit to the bank since they invested time and money into him. Nineteen years later, having worked at a couple other banks, he discovered his true passion and started his own company – Regents Bank. It took Dan years to find his direction in life and he took risks to reach after what he wanted. This is what I admire about entrepreneurs – they are not afraid to take risks.

Here are some of his nuggets of wisdom:

- Be a sponge, take chances, and explore

- Learn how to fire and interview people

- Join organizations and engage with people from different walks of life

- You learn more from failures, than successes

- Spend time figuring out how to get job interviews without a resume

Interesting side observation: If you have ever read Guy Kawasaki‘s book, “Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions”, you will know what I’m talking about when I say that Dan has a natural “George Clooneyesque” smile.

2011
12/05
CATEGORY
Project CEO
1 comment

Where do you find robbers nowadays?

Hello Readers,

Be aware the next time you sit at Starbucks with you computer and belongings laying on the table. Yesterday I was at the Starbucks on Balboa/Genesee with Brandon Hoang (aka DJ Nom), studying for my advanced open water scuba certification, when out of no where we hear, “HEY, HEY, MY PURSE, MY PURSE!!!!” By the time I looked up, the robber bolted out the door and disappeared. My roommate, former cross country athlete, chased the criminal down 2 blocks and came to a halt when the robber hopped over a fence. The young female adult was devastated, but fortunately, by the grace of God, no one was hurt. Ultimately, things can be replaced, but a life can never be returned to you.

Moral of the blog: Don’t leave your valuables out on the table in Starbucks, at least not on the Balboa/Genesee one.

2011
11/16
CATEGORY
Patrick
2 comments

Time to put on some boxing gloves

Hello Readers,

It is Monday morning…enough said. It’s another start of a long week ahead. On my way to work, half-asleep, and I saw a beat up, faded purple car in front of me with a sign spanning the entire back wind shield saying, “Please help, my wife has cancer”.

What is my role in this woman’s life? What is your role in this woman’s life? It is so easy to look at that sign and think, “Damn, that’s sad, but I’m sure someone else will help.” Readers, the ugly truth is that no one will help because every other car is thinking the same thing you’re thinking. How many times a day do you see a husband’s love for his wife in desperation for some help, the homeless person on the side of the street begging for a second chance, or a co-worker who eats by themselves?

Every morning we wake up, we have a choice to fight against complacency or fall into it. Whichever way you choose to fight, either by striking a conversation with that co-worker during lunch or giving a few slices of an orange to a stranger, I hope you choose to put on some gloves and get in the ring.

2011
11/14
CATEGORY
Patrick
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The Dark Side

Hello Readers,

I’ve been avidly watching the Tennis US Open and it makes me reminisce back to my days of playing competitive tennis.  The rush of adrenaline, fist pumps, screams of victory, and screams of defeat. It was a riveting roller coaster, and one that I would ride over and over again until I throw up. Do you know what I’m talking about? It’s not the same as playing for fun with friends. I’m talking about training and practicing to win at any cost, even if it meant, given the opportunity, intentionally hurting your opponent so they wouldn’t be able to continue and have to forfeit.

As you can already tell, I played dirty. I would smack talk you when you were down and scream, “C’mon!” after winning every point just to annoy you. If we were both at the net during a point, I would purposely aim for you, hoping to hit you and forcing you to withdraw. Man, those were the days…

…2 hours later…

I just signed up for a tennis tournament next weekend on September 10 @ North Courts UCSD. Come watch me play!

2011
09/02
CATEGORY
Patrick
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Hey you, bee ah meng!

Hello Readers,

This is a story about Peter and Alice.

Fun. Colorful. Bright. Happiest place on earth. You guessed it…Disneyland! One day, Peter and Alice decided to go to Disneyland with Kyle and Michelle on a double date. It was a great day of laughter and fun. About halfway through California Adventure, Michelle randomly asks Alice, “Hey Alice, do you think Peter could ever beat up someone for you?” On hearing this question, Peter puffs up his chest as if he already knows the answer. A sense of courage and pride rushes through Peter’s face. There is not a doubt in his mind that Alice will answer boldly, “Of course!” However, with a prolonged pause and laughter, she answers, “Ummmmm…….no”.

What a blow?! It was like a knife straight in his heart with a twist to finish him off.

If you are a man, you could imagine the things running through Peter’s mind. Weak. Pussy. Failure. Just a “nice” guy.

We could all learn something from this tragic story. Girls, when you’re put in this situation, reply quickly with a “Of course!” because you’ll be attacking his manhood and self worth if you don’t. While Alice hears, “could he”, Peter is hearing, “will he”. Every guy wants their girl to know that they will stick up for them if trouble came their way. Same thing goes for guys, tell your girlfriends they are beautiful, even if they may not look spectacular that day. Trust me, it will make their day if you mean it.

2011
08/31
CATEGORY
Patrick
2 comments

It’s been so long since I last blogged!

Hello Readers,

I can’t believe it’s been over 8 months since my last blog post. I was recently chatting with my friend, Grace E. Lee, and she is trying to blog every day in the month of August. Her determination is unrelenting and as the end of the month rolls towards us, her commitment to her fellow readers is holding strong. Props to you, Grace!

Have you guys heard of Google Reader? It lets you subscribe to all the blogs you want, regardless of the blog website. Google never fails to impress me by their programs. If I had enough money to buy $500/share, I would not hesitate to purchase some of that Google stock.

I wish I could tell you that I’m going to blog every day for the next month like my friend, but it’s just not possible. In late September, I have an 8-day cruise to Alaska (my goal is to take a picture of the Aurora Borealis) with my friends and immediately afterwards, I have a Vegas trip with my high school friends. Little to say, I can’t commit that level of blogging this month. However, don’t be sad readers, for you will hear shortly from me again.

2011
08/28
CATEGORY
Patrick
1 comment

Help Needed

Hello readers,

As many of you know, we live in a time where jobs are scarce. However, we cannot let this depressing economic time dictate and rob the everyday happiness that we all deserve. Moreover, we as a people of bloggers must protect what is most precious throughout every nation, every culture, and every religion. Do you know what I’m talking about? Some say it is naive to believe in it, others are blinded by it, and there are many who do not believe it even exists. Some people will die for it and other people would rather die than hear it. No matter your stance, no one can refute the power it has on a man or a woman. Yes my friends, you know of what I speak of, but yet, many persons around the world have never experienced this thrilling emotion. Some describe it as an intense sense of liking someone, other say it is like eating a tub of chocolate fudge brownie ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s, but many of you know it simply as……LOVE!

Ok, now that I’m done with my introduction, I’ll explain the current predicament of my good friend who needs some funds for his future engagement ring/wedding. Basically, this friend of mine is contemplating proposing to the love of his life, but one thing stands in his way from a life-time of happiness. That “thing”, my readers, is……MONEY!

Therefore, my friend look towards me for ideas to make his dreams come true. However, I am only one man with only so many ideas, so I now turn to you. That’s right, YOU! Feel free to comment and post any possible ideas  for making money as fast as possible (nothing disgusting please, he’s not into disgusting things and you shouldn’t be either!).

LET’S GET HIM MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!

2010
12/23
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
7 comments

camera + photoshop



2010
09/12
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
1 comment

from me.

hello world. my name is blog. yes, it’s unoriginal. my owner, a stranger whom i don’t even really know by the name of Patrick Chan, is a nice guy, but not so creative. and forgetful. one might ask “blog, why do you say that?”

well, world. i say it because he doesn’t remember me. i haven’t been written in for like MONTHS. nothing started. not a single post. why won’t you confide in me, mr. chan? why? is it because i’m too plain? not good-looking enough for you? are my widgets not customizable enough? because i can change, patrick. i really can. people want to hear from you, what you have to say. they want to hear about your trip to the San Diego Urban Project. something. anything.

*sniff* i miss you.

2010
08/27
CATEGORY
Uncategorized
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those eyes.

Don't you just wanna LOVE me?

Harro readers. Yes, that is how I’m going to start this post.

My name is Bryant Soong and I’m writing this in affirmation of Patrick Chan. Why? Because Patrick Chan, in my personal and professional opinion, may be the most effective motivator in the history of mankind. And the power of this motivation, this truly awesome superpower that he possesses, stems from one source. His eyes. Yes, it is true; for all of you who sitting there, shaking your head in denial, You try to say no to Patrick, whether it’s going to Rigoberto’s at 11:30PM or going to Starbucks to study or just hanging out playing a board game…Once he flashes you those big ocular motivators, you instantly feel guilty. It’s like little guilt spears poking at your soul, prodding you to say “Aw…okay, I’ll do it.” Some of us are more impervious to his attacks; to those brave souls who can withstand the onslaught, I applaud you. I am not one of you.

And don’t be fooled into thinking that his powers are not just restricted to whether or not you can see his eyes. Because he’s like a Pokemon; he’s a Motivator-TYPE, but his attacks have both short AND long ranges. Like when he calls you and you wanna say no, but your imagination kicks in and even though his person is nowhere in sight, those eyes pop into your mind and you kinda imagine him saying it to you and BAM! You say yes and he’s happy and there’s no way you can get out of it any more. The opportunity was lost and you wasted it. But that’s where the power of eyes goes into effect again, now because HE’S happy, you are happy that he’s happy and all of a sudden, your decision has been justified. Those eyes make you THINK you are happy because you made that decision, while the reality is is that you are happy because you’re happy HE’s happy.

Dangerous, isn’t it? Good thing he only uses his powers for good. In the hands of the Dark Side, it could be lethal indeed.

- Contributed by Bryant “Official Superhero Analyst” Soong

2010
04/29
CATEGORY
Bryant
2 comments
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