Today’s Notable Young Professional is finance, insurance and tax professional Shiv Oberoi, who helps business owners and professionals optimize tax efficiencies using a variety of insurance products. What was the inspiration for his career route? Find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
Working in the insurance, finance and tax world, my job is to help business owners and professionals optimize tax efficiencies using a variety of insurance products. Unlike the conventional approach to insurance, our strategies provide clients with creative long-term investment alternatives.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Since I work in a family business, ever since childhood I have been surrounded by the insurance and finance worlds. Upon completing university, I quickly realized the potential to further expand and grow the business. Five years ago when my father passed away (founder of the company), it had become clear that it was our responsibility to carry on his legacy and continue what he started. It goes without saying, that my/our inspiration and motivation come from the desire to continue and grow what my father started.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Without a doubt the best part of my job is continuously meeting new people and building new relationships. This allows me not only to get to know people on a professional level, but also enables me to build personal relationships with my clients and associates. I consider myself very lucky to have met so many different people from various fields of work.
Most challenging part of my work is properly educating people with the right information. People are continuously bombarded with information and it is important they filter what is relevant and what is not. A challenge that I love to tackle!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Doing exactly what I am currently doing, in addition to growing our Toronto office. We would like to be seen in the eyes of our clients as the most trusted and creative advisory firm in Quebec and Ontario.
What does success look like to you?
Success is achieving happiness in all aspects of your life, not only in your career.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
In 2012 being recognized as the top associate advisor in the province of Quebec by one of our major partners. At the age of 29, having achieved this was a testament of all the hard work put in over the last few years.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
To work very hard and to be patient! Nothing in life comes for free and nothing comes easy. Everybody faces obstacles and it is very easy to give up and lose motivation. With hard work and patience, you will be able to reach all your goals and take your careers to new heights!
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I am currently involved in a couple of charitable organizations, one of which is AYTF (Aditya Youth Trust Foundation) where we help children develop linguistic, math and other skill sets required to excel at school and in life. Providing young children with the right resources and knowledge is imperative to their future success. I am also involved in the Casino against Cancer benefitting the Montreal Cancer Institute. The aim of the foundation is to raise funds for local cancer research initiatives. After feeding off the success of our inaugural event in 2012, Sept 20, 2013 will represented our second year where we made it even bigger and better than last year!
Having been very fortunate in my career at a young age, I feel it is my duty to be able to give back to the community as much as possible. Not everyone is fortunate, but we must be able to do our best to give everyone a chance at success.
What to you is notable?
Notable is hard work, perseverance and following your dreams to achieve what you believe in the most.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
I am old school and love my BlackBerry!