As Seen in

Authority Magazine

"From Staten Island Snow Shoveler to Wall Street Success Story"

Authority Magazine recently profiled Steve Thomas about authentic leadership in finance and what it really takes to succeed on Wall Street without sacrificing your soul. In this candid conversation, Steve shares his unconventional journey from cleaning trading floors to closing million-dollar deals, proving that success doesn't require losing yourself in the process.

On Building Trust in Finance

"Trust is the currency of Wall Street, but most people try to buy it in bulk. It doesn't work that way. Trust is built brick by brick, deal by deal, relationship by relationship. Take it from someone who once had to lie on a conveyor belt in Burlington Coat Factory because his pants split before a client meeting – sometimes building trust means embracing your humanity, even when it means showing your ass (literally)."

The Real Secret to Wall Street Success

"Everyone wants to know the secret formula for making it in finance. Here it is: Success in this industry is deeply relational. In my book, I call them REALationships. The three rules are simple: people need to like you, they need to trust you, and they must know you can deliver. Everything else is just moving decimal points around."

From Underdog to Industry Leader

"My path to finance wasn't exactly traditional. Started on Staten Island with a sub-2.5 GPA and a smile, hustling through the forgotten borough. Made it from the back office to the boardroom by learning one crucial lesson: authenticity beats pretense every time. Want proof? My Staten Island accent that everyone said would kill my career? Became my secret weapon."

On Modern Leadership in Finance

"The finance industry evolves fast, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. When I was asked to sell convertible bonds – a product I had never worked with – I got comfortable being uncomfortable. That's the superpower most people miss: adaptability. If you're unwilling to evolve, someone else will eat your lunch."

Transforming Wall Street Culture

"I'm trying to inspire a movement focused on holistic well-being in finance. The industry's default mode is burnout, but it doesn't have to be. Through my journey – from sauna sessions to creating killer playlists and building authentic relationships – I've learned that success requires more than just technical skills. It requires nurturing your mind, body, spirit, and social connections. Health is wealth, literally."