Today’s Notable Young Professional is Ryan Shoemaker, who’s dedicated his career to helping young people navigate the often overwhelming financial landscape. We caught up with him to find out what inspired this route and where he likes to wine and dine in Toronto…
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1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I improve my clients’ financial well-being. I provide clients with the value of getting started investing early, and I provide them with a financial roadmap to help navigate an overwhelming landscape inundated with information.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
I wanted to make sound financial advice accessible to young professionals.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Achieving what I set out to do by the time I was 30 at 27.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
I picture myself in the same chair with my same view. I plan to foster the relationships I have developed and see my clients through their firsts: first homes, first children, first business ventures.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Set your expectations and goals for yourself so high that they make you laugh; you will surprise yourself. When you surround yourself with the right team, attitude, and people, amazing things happen.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Yes, my alma mater, Queen’s University. My wife Lisa and I support them through annual contributions to ensure that they are able to provide the same creative and inspiring environment that we were afforded in our time there. We also donate our time in the Toronto community with the Queen’s University Alumni Association.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
My age – I am 28. My age stopped being the greatest challenge to my career when I decided that it was going to be my greatest asset.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Difference. I always try to define myself in terms of what differentiates me from my peers. I have to be different; I have to be unique. Being the same as everyone else is boring, and people like excitement – even when it comes to their financial planner. You have to be able to offer something different to be notable.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Bar Isabel. It’s one of the only places I’ve found where there is always a new handcrafted cocktail to try, and a chef who is happy to design a tasting menu even if it’s just for you and your guest.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Internet: Bloomberg. Most Played song: anything by Mumford and Sons.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
My friend Elamin S. Abdelmahmoud, who is also the Social Media Editor for Buzzfeed. If you need a well-rounded perspective on any world event (elections to Gilmore Girls and everything in between), his social media channels are many peoples go to. Twitter: @elamin88; Instagram: @elamin88.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
My favourite countries to visit are India and Iceland. I plan on travelling back to Hong Kong with my wife and sons next year.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
I rarely experience FOMO because I’m always engaged in what I’m doing.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
The X-Files.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I wish I didn’t spend so much on cold pressed juice and wish I spent more on extreme sports.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
To me, success means balance. You can always make more money, and you can always buy more stuff. Time is the most precious commodity because you can’t make more of it. Success to me means being able to excel in my career and still have time to be able to enjoy my personal life.
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