The world of finance can be an incredibly tricky thing to tackle. There are so many unknown variables it can make one’s head spin. Fortunately, there is an individual who took a leap of faith in the financial industry and made it work. Jason Vanclef is the CEO of Vanclef Financial Group and has grown his organization steadily over the last 17 years. Jason combines compassion and determination into his company to reach success. However, it should be known that Jason didn’t always start out as the financial leader that he is today.
His original career path led him to the criminal justice field. It is here where he learned that his greatest passion in life is helping people. However, he yearned for something more. While he could help people short-term in the criminal justice field, he wanted to set them up for something greater. Jason had an incredible interest in finances. He would eventually take a leap of faith and provide financial consulting services. It is here that he discovered his life’s calling.
Jason is now the CEO of his own company and provides financial guidance to help his clients reach their dreams. He believes strongly in the “teach a man to fish” principle and lives by it. Let’s take a closer look at Jason’s life to learn how he made it to where he is today.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject in school was always math. I felt like math came to me in the most natural of ways. There are so many different ways that we can read numbers and interpret them. Math has been instrumental in my various careers over the course of my life.
What was your first job?
My first job was working for the local newspaper. I would help deliver newspapers to people’s homes each day. I would always stop to read financial reports in those papers. I think this is where my interest in finances came from.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
While working in the criminal justice field, I felt my opportunities for personal growth were limited. I took a leap of faith and started my own financial consulting agency. It was here that I made plenty of contacts that would set me up for success later on. I am incredibly thankful that I took that leap of faith. My life would not have been the same without it.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Those hands-on experiences during that time were instrumental to my success. They reinforced the idea of discipline, study, and attention to detail which are instrumental for Financial Advising.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
I was thanked by a small business owner that I was helping. He was running out of financial options to keep his business above water. I suggested a few immediate fixes from tax issues to cash flow and business investments. Working together we were able to save his business. I was thanked many months later by him. He sent me a thank you card to my office and a basket of goodies. The feeling of helping him with his American Dream was so fulfilling. I consider that to be one of the best days at work that I’ve ever had.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
Helping other people keeps me motivated. Knowing that I am making an impact in their lives gets me out of bed every morning. I want to know that my work is making a difference in my clients world.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
My favorite kind of business ideas are the ones that center around common sense. It is amazing to me how many investments don’t stand up to the basic question of “does it make common sense?”, and inevitably fail leaving many to hold the bag wondering what went wrong.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
I do not believe in this nor would I recommend anyone do this for their business.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Writing and getting one of the largest publishers in the world, Wiley, to publish my book, The Wealth Code 2.0.
What wisdom would you have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
Take time to be true to yourself. Don’t try and please anyone else by doing something for them. You only have yourself at the end of the day. Get to know yourself better by doing what makes you happy.