Our lunch with Warren Buffett

Nina Gerson is a senior studying Finance with a minor in Latin American Studies. Today, she’s a guest blogger sharing her experience on a recent trip to Omaha.

A group of twenty Olin Business School students had the chance to take a trip to Omaha, Nebraska and meet with Warren Buffett, one of the most legendary investors of all time and the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

The trip began with visits to two of Berkshire Hathaway’s subsidiaries, Nebraska Furniture Mart and Borsheims Fine Jewelry. As we listened to the subsidiaries’ management speak about their partnership with Berkshire Hathaway, we were able to glean insight into Mr. Buffett’s leadership style and his ability to build an empire.

We had the opportunity to have lunch and a Q&A session with Mr. Buffett, and all questions were fair game. With refreshingly witty anecdotes and impressive knowledge, Mr. Buffett commented on the pressing issues of today, from nuclear weapons to income inequality.

Mr. Buffett did not shy away from reflecting on his personal life. He emphasized the importance of family and true friendship, saying, “You don’t feel bad about your life if you feel good about your family.”

He had an outstanding ability to simplify his investing strategies, so that his advice was practical and accessible, while still being profound and cutting-edge. Mr. Buffett opined, “People make the game hard because it is so easy.” He spoke about the importance of investing where you are knowledgeable and being brave when the market disagrees, particularly in tough times.

Although many of us may had already read his books and heard stories of his successes, we all appreciated hearing this wise man speak about his life and his outlook for our generation. A key takeaway for me was witnessing Warren Buffett’s humbleness and sincerity, even when speaking about himself and his success.

I have no doubt that this unforgettable experience will have an enduring impact on all who were present that day on the future perspectives of both their business and personal lives.