How Identity Influenced a Wealth Advisor's Career at Buena Vista Financial Planning
AK, a founder and wealth advisor, initially viewed their childhood experience with divorce as a negative, believing it "meant that you were kind of broken." However, navigating relationships between two sets of parents unexpectedly fostered strong empathy and relationship-building skills, proving invaluable in "navigating just human relationships" with clients and colleagues, and helping them "make sure they're on the same page."
Empathy, Relationship Building, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Client Relations
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
AK Mashhoon
Founder / Wealth Advisor
Buena Vista Financial Planning
Cuesta College and Cal Poly, SLO
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student, Student Athlete, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Empathy and relationship building are crucial skills in his career as a wealth advisor, helping him navigate complex client dynamics and foster understanding.
2. His childhood experience provided unexpected tools for career success by enhancing his ability to mediate and understand diverse perspectives.
3. He views his childhood experience as having initially felt like a negative but ultimately transforming into a source of strength that benefits his career and relationships.
Transcript
As someone who identifies as a child of divorce, how has that impacted how you've navigated your career?
I always thought being a child of divorce meant I was kind of broken and had to be really careful with my relationships as I got older. There's definitely an impact there.
However, in terms of how it's helped me navigate my career, when you're dealing with two sets of parents who don't get along, I found myself really trying to get along with people and help them get along. I think that has really benefited my relationship with my clients.
I deal with a lot of couples, and I want to make sure they're on the same page. Even with something as simple as a client unhappy with their CPA, I try to get my client to understand where the CPA is coming from. I'm always trying to understand where my clients are coming from.
So, I think it's really taught me a lot about empathy. It's helped me navigate human relationships in my career, with clients, colleagues, and industry professionals. It's been a big positive, and I really felt like it was a negative all my life. I had no idea it would have given me tools that would benefit me later.