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Eric Hinderberger is a hustler who throws everything he has into everything he does. Want proof? Just look at the answers below. They are thoughtful, comprehensive, and when you’re done, you see a pretty complete picture of who he is and what makes him special. Read on to learn more about Eric, his take on why salespeople are so important to the industry, and what he’s likely to be drinking on his way to the Catalina Wine Mixer.
Name: Eric Hinderberger
Job Title: Strategic Growth Partner
Company: Provana
Length of time at current company: 2.5 years
Length of time in industry: 9 years
How did you get your start in the industry?
This is actually a funny one.
My first job out of college was working in a gym. I quickly fell in love with the billing and management platform we were using, which happened to be a privately owned software company out of New Jersey. Eventually I joined that company and spent several years cutting my teeth selling enterprise billing and management software.
One of the things I became known for with clients was helping them recover their 90+ day receivables. I worked with a collection agency in New Jersey and almost in real time we would start to see checks show up in the mail. Gym owners would use that money for capital improvements — buying treadmills, fixing showers, investing in marketing back when early Facebook ads were still effective. It was tangible impact.
At a health and fitness trade show I met the CEO of that agency. He kept telling me how incredible the accounts receivable marketplace was and I wanted nothing to do with it. About a year later we bumped into each other again and he basically forced me to sit down and listen.
I’m incredibly thankful he did.
That conversation led me to First Credit Services, where I really began learning the industry. I owe a tremendous amount to Raj Chabbria for bringing me into this space.
What is your career highlight so far?
Honestly, it’s the trust.
Over the better part of a decade I’ve had the privilege of working closely with owners and operators across the industry. When people trust you enough to have honest conversations about what’s really happening inside their businesses — the good and the bad — that’s where real improvement starts.
Those moments of vulnerability and transparency are what allow better strategies, better systems, and better outcomes to surface.
When or how are you most productive?
Early in the morning before the house wakes up.
Most of my career has been spent working with East Coast companies that have global footprints, so starting early became a natural rhythm. That quiet time lets me think strategically before the day gets noisy.
If someone is looking to change how they approach productivity, I highly recommend the book “Deep Work“. It’s a great framework for retraining your brain to operate with more focus and intention.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I admire leaders who are willing to rethink how this industry works rather than simply defending how it has always been done.
The people pushing modernization — through compliance innovation, technology adoption, and better consumer engagement — are the ones moving the industry forward.
One person who stands out to me is Steve Kusic. His ability to think about where the industry is going, while staying grounded in operational realities, is something I really respect.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I’m very good at connecting dots across the ecosystem.
I’ve spent time around operations, compliance, technology, and client strategy, which allows me to see patterns others sometimes miss and translate those insights into practical action.
What do you like most about this industry?
It’s constantly evolving.
Regulations change. Technology changes. Consumer expectations change. That forces the industry to keep learning and adapting.
If you like solving complex problems, it’s a fascinating place to work.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
The perception gap.
Externally, the industry is often viewed through a very outdated lens. Internally, many organizations are investing heavily in compliance, technology, analytics, and better consumer experiences.
There’s an interesting paradox: the industry is quietly becoming far more sophisticated than people realize.
My contrarian view is that a lot of the real innovation in financial services infrastructure is actually happening inside the ARM ecosystem — it just doesn’t always get the credit for it.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Something entrepreneurial around the maritime world.
I spend a lot of time around sailboats, shout out Chris Runci, so there’s a very good chance I’d be building businesses somewhere in that marketplace.
Describe a typical work day.
One thing that’s probably different about me compared to a lot of sales professionals is that I genuinely enjoy the hustle.
I’m constantly on the phone — setting meetings, advancing deals, disqualifying deals, gathering information. My job is to get to yes or no.
At the end of the day, salespeople are information gatherers. We acquire the data.
In many ways, salespeople are the metadata layer of the industry. We connect signals across clients, vendors, technology, and strategy. That feedback loop helps move the marketplace forward — whether it’s toward better technology, stronger agencies, or smarter operating models.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Herbal tea and sailing.
Preferably both at the same time. ping me if your are in Long beach, ill take you out for a dance on the pacific
What is the best advice you have ever received?
I’ve always liked the philosophy of Dick Marcinko: ask forgiveness, not permission.
Most big organizations move slowly because everyone is waiting for consensus. The operators don’t. They move, gather real information, and adjust.
Action creates clarity. Everything else is just meetings.
Less talk. More action may just be my next tattoo..haha.nice.
What are you currently reading?
I recently discovered Clive Cussler and I’m completely hooked.
It’s this incredible mix of exploration, adventure, and a sort of blue-collar James Bond energy with a military twist. Absolutely addictive reading.
Highly recommend.
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
I am always looking to learn
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Seth Peters & Austin Hawkins
