Muffie on Markets

Muffie Benson-Perella (muffie AT muffmarkets.com) was an Associate in the Investment Banking Division of a “Bulge Bracket” bank. She holds a B.A. in French and Art from Vassar College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She concentrated in Contemporary French Poetry at prep school where she was awarded the exclusive premiership of the school’s “French Club.” Today, Ms. Benson-Perella is the Founder and Managing Director of “Muffie on Markets” (http://www.muffmarkets.com), a deep dive into capital markets, finance and investment strategy. She is also the Founder and Managing Director of Muff Cap, LLC., an invitation only, private investment vehicle for prestigious and accredited investors only, employing an actively managed, long-short strategy.

Investing is hard work. It requires a certain kind of dedication. It is not for everyone and there are any number of temptations to lure one’s focus away from the important tasks at hand. That’s why invitations like this just break my heart:

From: “xxx xxxxxxx” <xxxxx@FOXbusiness.com>
Date: April 14, 2008 8:10:28 AM CDT
To: <muffie@muffmarkets.com>
Subject: Fox Business

Hi,

I work for the 5pm show on Fox Business called Happy Hour and we would love to have you as a guest on the show. The show is live from 5-6pm at the Bull and Bear in the Waldorf Astoria (49th and Lexington). I look forward to speaking to you soon.

Best,

xxxxx
Fox Business Network

212-xxx-xxxx

I really don’t even know that I have the heart to tell her that I am too busy to attend. Especially because cocktails at the Waldorf Astoria sounds like so much fun! Plus, I’ve always wanted to meet Cody Williard!

Cody runs his own hedge fund, you know. I guess it started really small, like $15,000 AUM (that’s “assets under management”) or something really small. But that’s just what I heard. I’ve never met him.

I guess he must not get along with his parents very well or something if he didn’t start with more. That must be connected to the whole songwriter and musician thing he has going on with his band and all. Still, I can’t figure why his uncle or his grandfather didn’t help him out. Uncles and grandfathers (but particularly uncles) are great sources for capital when parents are in a mood. The sibling rivalry really kicks in and smart investors will use any advantage they can to leverage this for themselves.

I will have to think before I reply to Fox Business. I mean, I think I would look fantastic on the show, and I really think my particular brand of investment wisdom would really fit with the young, “on-the-go” Fox Business viewer, but, you know, focus focus focus.