Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Chen.
Hi Anthony, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I figured out that the financial advisor career path was early on at age 17. The initial career path was computer science during High School, as the traditional advice from guidance counselors was to go for our passions. Being the nerd that I was or still am, the initial thought process was designing and testing computer games was the ideal career path. After three years of schooling down that path, the idea of sitting in a cubicle for the next 30-35 years of my life coding no longer appealed to me nor seemed as fun as playing the games. While I was considering a career path change, an accounting teacher Mrs. Sonia was recruiting students for her accounting 101 class. Figured it would be a useful life skill for understanding taxes or reading and doing the books of a business, I registered. I fell in love with accounting and the aspects of money and finance, however, this was a lateral move in my mind. Instead of staring at the monitor at lines of code, it’ll be staring at the monitor at lines of numbers in excel. Looking to find a middle ground to merge my love for finance and accounting with being able to leave the office, I thought helping people understand and managing money would be a career path. Little did I know, after a google search, this field has been around far longer than I had initially thought.
Fast forward to 2008, graduating from UB with a finance concentration. My parents were understandably concerned and over a phone conversation in allaying their fears by listing companies I was lining up interviews at. MetLife was one of them. This was when I learned that our household had a financial advisor from MetLife. Little did I know, this advisor came to our household while I was a few weeks old. Convinced my parents to start early with college savings and to have life insurance. It was because of that advisor was my college tuition planned and paid for. After hearing this, once MetLife made the offer, I accepted and started my career with them and having everything come full circle.
What I did not know at the time however, was that prior to the advisor and my birth, my parents moved back to Queens, NY where my father’s extended family was. They tried to chase the American dream in building their own business, so he came in with the saved up financial capital to open their Chinese restaurant. Unfortunately, without consulting any business professional, whether legal, tax, financial, or consultant of any kind. He partnered with someone and put their name on the joint business bank account. On the day of the opening, the money was gone and the partner nowhere to be found. I only learned about this on that same phone call.
So now, my life’s goal is to help others experience the positive impacts of having an advisor in the household and to avoid the mistakes my parents suffered.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I was naïve in thinking that it would be an “easy” field, considering my own view in prioritizing finance. I could not have been more mistaken and realized this early on within two weeks of being in the field. It also didn’t help that I am a natural introvert, which at the time I did not take into account that networking and relationship building will be necessary skills to be successful. It was by intervention from very kind colleagues at work and mentors who guided me both professionally and general life skills that I was able to make it this far. Without their direction, I would have easily fell into the statistics of failed advisors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We help provide direction and guidance for clients to reach their financial goals. I am known as the “Financial GPS” in my network and Chambers. What sets me apart from others in the field is my perspective and philosophy towards money. What I would define myself as a successful advisor for my clients is that on the day of my client’s death bed and the check bounces, I call it good timing. Why? Not because they ran out of money, but rather I helped them spend every dollar and penny to live the quality of life that they wanted. We cannot take it with us, so why not use it to experience life, build memories with family and friends, or give to the community and or leave a legacy? Money is only a tool, not an end itself.
I am most proud in helping clients chase after their dreams and ambitions. Whether it is reinventing themselves during what would be considered “traditional retirement years” and going for another career, opening their own business, or pouring their energy and passion into a project like a non-profit because it is what fuels their meaning of life. The products that we have access to and provide for clients, from investments to insurance products, are merely tools to build their castle. The real value is helping the client realize that the castle in their mind can be put on a blueprint and be built into reality.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there is one advice, I’d give to myself starting out or before completing schooling. Network. Network and build relationships like mad. Relationship capital is more valuable than knowledge capital. Knowledge can be learned through self-study or being taught by others. Relationship capital requires early investment and takes time for it to come to fruition. Don’t be afraid to network, even if you are an introvert! There are other introverts out there thinking and feeling the same thing!
Contact Info:
- Email: anthonychen@lfnllc.com
- Website: www.lfnllc.com
- Other: https://businessradiox.com/series/familybusinessradio/
