Generally, I’m a free spirit when it comes to how I approach life but when it comes to work, I’ve always done what I should do opposed to what I want to do…until now. The path has been a bit bumpy but I wouldn’t change it for the world. With every twist and turn, there was something to be learned and unexpected opportunities.
I was born in Iran to a Chinese-Vietnamese mother and a German-Scottish father. Due to my father’s job, we traveled around the world twice before my fifth birthday. Once I started school, we moved to the United States so I could get a ‘proper’ education. We lived in North Carolina, Southern California, Arizona, and Texas. I now live in New York and call it home, but I’ll always be a Texan at heart. I adore the unique collection of experiences and relationships I’ve built over the years.
At 15 years young, I entered the workforce as an entertainer -- Chuck E Cheese. I got paid to have fun and make people happy – not bad for a first job but hardly a calling.
After college, my first ‘real’ job was with a big 4 consulting firm. Consulting is a great job for people, like me then, with no idea what they want to do yet eager to enter the business world. A consultant is exposed to different industries and jobs and surrounded by smart, ambitious people. Over the course of my consulting career, I was a Y2K tester, process engineer, requirements gatherer, CRM programmer, trainer, and an Organizational Adoption Manager. Anything but glamorous, but I did have the good fortune to work in Texas, California, London, Paris, Singapore, Sydney, Buenos Aires, and Toronto.
Ultimately, I realized the consulting lifestyle was not what I wanted and decided to go back to school for my MBA. There, on my first trip to Wall Street, I was introduced to Private Wealth Management and was intrigued. My summer internship solidified my interest in the field and desire to change from advising corporate clients to private individuals. Not only do I get to build my own business, but I navigate the complexities that come along with wealth advisory services and I get to help people achieve their financial goals (hopefully with a bit more education and fun than the average advisor). It is the perfect mix and I am very happy to be doing what I do. And, along the way, I've learned some valuable lessons:
#1: Learn to take risks. I left the security of a big firm to go to a small start up during the tech boom. I can’t say I made much from my stock options, but I experienced the growing pains of a new company and was presented opportunities (some good, some bad) that stretched my capabilities. As a wealth advisor, I made the decision to change careers and assume ownership of building my business. A huge risk. But I love my job and have yet to have an ounce of regret.
#2: Take ownership in your career development. Be proactive. Ask for work. Seek out mentors that are invested in your success. When appropriate, don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. I learned this the hard way when I went to work in London on a 7 month assignment -- as the saying goes, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ – and came back only to be passed over for promotion.
#3: Set goals AND boundaries. I knew I wanted to be at a certain level by a certain age. What I didn’t realize was how this might cost me some of my most important relationships. Now, I work hard so I can enjoy life – both personally and professionally. I have learned to put things in perspective and make time for what matters to me outside of my career: my faith, family, friends and collecting those “free spirit” life experiences.
#4: Surround yourself with positive people and good girlfriends. Life isn’t always easy and when you are in the ‘fog’ (as I call it), it’s your support group that reassures you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
#5: Give Back. It really is that simple. Whether it is getting involved in your community, serving as a mentor, or supporting causes that are meaningful to you, give back. And, this is the reason why I’m thrilled to be a part of Damsels in Success.