We were lucky to catch up with Billy Guan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Billy, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
Naturally, I am a very reserved and shy person. I feel very uncomfortable and awkward in a lot of social situations such as parties or conferences where there are a lot of people I do not know. But I am also a networker and a professional so I can navigate those environments very well. It is just not something that comes natural to me. I learned how to flip the switch and turn it “on” when it is time to put in the work.
I learned and developed people skills. I treat everyone the same, with respect, integrity, and sincerity. That skill is an art-form that requires a lot of trial and error and life long practice. I am pretty good at it, but I am still continually sharpening that skill.
I worked in sales all my life so I have had to work with people. I needed to learn how people would be moved to action based on my interactions with them. I sharpened my social skills through working in entertainment and real estate.
Prior to my Financial Coaching business, I worked as a Magician. I would perform magic and essentially sell myself to the audience and people that may potentially hire me. I learned how to be charming and make people feel good.
I started working in Real Estate afterwards, and that industry requires a lot of smooth talking and subterfuge. While I learned sales skill and techniques through that industry, I realized that I did not like the manipulative kind of verbiage that was used in business by other realtors. I developed my own style of working with individuals based on partnership instead of Hardcore Sales.
Through those experiences, when I implemented the skills I developed into my financial coaching practice, it propelled me into the Seven Figure Producer club.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am one of the top Financial Consultants in the country. I work with clients to help them establish retirement portfolios with Tax Advantaged assets that are guaranteed to never lose equity value. I also provide Financial Coaching to those clients to help them steward their finances properly so that they can build long lasting wealth and get out of debt.
It is a very special business because it truly impacts people in a deep and meaningful way because Financial Education is not something that is really taught in schools. One of my most impactful testimonials is that a client that I was working with who was living paycheck to paycheck in the Bay Area, in One year’s time working with me was able to knock out $30,000 worth of debt and build up $25,000 in emergency savings with the same level of income just by changing a few things in the orders of operations on how to manage her money.
I also work with a lot of internet influencers behind the scenes as their financial coach which has been extremely exciting for me. I am partnered with a few of the biggest social media creators out there which has been an extremely big blessing because I never thought I would ever meet people in this sector.
I am currently creating a division in my business to specifically work with user generated content creators to develop financial and business skills so that they can have a long lasting and thriving business. I am looking to work with more content creators in exchange for testimonials about their experience working with me as their financial coach to create a bigger proof of concepts that this program is important for people wanting to get into the social media world.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
People Skills, Financial Education, and Integrity.
Those three traits have been extremely important in developing my business but not only that, my network. It is so important to have a track record of personal conduct because in my line of work, my character is all I have. I work with people’s livelihoods and Money so it is crucial that I am not only perceived as a trust worthy resource, that I am a competent and transparent professional.
To develop these traits, one must always do the right thing by others as well as be open to learning and continuously improving their knowledge either by getting a coach, training, or mentorship.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m looking to partner and work with more people in the social media and user generated content space. I am non-judgmental so I work with creators in all industries. I work with Musicians, Models, Magicians, Actors…etc. I do not charge any fees or commissions, I just want to create more impactful testimonials and develop partnerships so that we can impact more people.
They can connect with me via my Instagram. My handle is @TheBillyGuan.
Contact Info:
- Website: Billyguan.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/TheBillyGuan
Image Credits
Mark Tsui Alta Stewart Jon Shorter
