Pursuing and providing the American dream

I never liked math when I was growing up, so I am sometimes surprised I found my calling as a financial professional.

I went into banking because, after coming to the United States as a child and a Cambodian refugee, I had a strong desire to understand the American financial system. I wanted to learn how I could achieve the American dream and share that dream with members of my community.

I developed a commitment to helping others from my mother, who told me to act as an interpreter and a sort of cultural guide for other refugees. That created the “why” that has motivated me throughout my career.

After eight years in banking, I discovered that financial services provided even greater opportunities for me to achieve my goals and serve others. A light came on when my father was retiring, and I saw how difficult that transition was for him in addition to other financial challenges my parents faced. I set out to learn how to ease that transition. That led to a career change, and I soon provided my parents with life insurance coverage.

I’ve been in this business for 10 years now, and I’m still learning. A great thing about our profession is that learning never stops. Every time I meet someone, a colleague or a client, I’m inspired by their story. It’s refreshing, and it makes me better at what I do. I hope my story may similarly inspire others in our industry.

Embrace a career with challenges and rewards

You must make yourself uncomfortable to succeed in this business. Each individual is their own biggest limiting factor. For example, if you are a very private or introverted person, it can be tough. But there are introverts in our business who are highly successful. To do well, especially as a young advisor, you must test your limits.

If something isn’t working for me as a professional, I need to have resilience and put myself in a position where I am growing. If the outside world is not giving me that, then I need to chase after it and put myself in a position to find success. Successful advisors don’t wait for opportunities to happen.

For me, when I moved from banking to financial services, I had to become accustomed to not working a rigid 9-to-5 day. In our business, you set your own schedule, and that requires discipline and self-motivation. You’re trained in our profession to produce, but you’re not really trained to run a business. Fortunately for us, there are many successful agents and advisors willing to share their knowledge. I’ve gotten to know many of them through my NAIFA membership. Networking with colleagues in a very genuine way, asking the right questions and taking it all in has helped me greatly in my career.

Mentors are also important. I encourage every advisor to have someone you can go to with questions and concerns and who can show you a process that works for them. Their process may not be perfect for you, but chances are good there are parts of it you can use to improve the way you run your own business. That’s another great thing about being an advisor — it’s a profession you really can make your own, and where you can create a strong imprint and be your own brand.

Be true to yourself

I tell everyone I mentor to find a passion and to volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to them. It makes you humble and keeps you grounded. It also puts you in the mindset of a student and inspires you to keep learning. It often will give you guidance in your professional life.

As an immigrant myself, I understand many of the challenges of serving the immigrant space. For example, immigrants may be less likely to seek help or trust an advisor. I grew up in a multicultural environment and pride myself on being able to connect with almost anyone.

As a proud foodie with a passion for fusion food, one way I do this is through the cuisines of various cultures. Food is a great conversation starter that brings different cultures together. I meet so many people with one thing in common: We share an interest in foods from all over the world. Finding a shared passion is always a great way to break down barriers.

You often fail in this job. But when you help a client, you really do leave an indelible mark. I work with a married couple who are immigrants and never received even basic financial education. At our first meeting, I sat with them for three hours simply creating a household budget. I know that couple will never forget me, and they frequently send me referrals.

Our profession pays you well and also allows you to give back in a way that makes you feel aligned. It really has helped me achieve my American dream, but I’m not finished. This profession offers new inspiration and challenges every day.

My work isn’t over. It’s just beginning.

Rith Nou is a financial professional in Waltham, Mass. She has been a NAIFA member since 2017. She may be contacted at [email protected].