It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the suburbs of New York City, often spending time in Manhattan as a teen and young adult as well as the woods and forests of Rockland County. This gave me a balance in my life between the innovation of New York and the quietude of the suburbs. Suburban life definitely has its advantages in the sense that you have access to technology and an education that allows you to explore your interests. I was not a great academic student. I hated learning from a course or class that was predetermined. I am a tactile learner. I touch. I feel. I play around with things. I had a great teacher, Mr. Kaminsky in high school who was the first teacher to let me just do my thing and explore my talents and grow my skill set in content creation.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I have always had an interest in technology and innovation. From a young age. I am drawn to it. Pulled towards it. I see how to use it and connect the dots immediately, that’s one of my strengths, and I use that in my businesses daily. Whether helping companies update their businesses to meet the demands of our digital lives, or helping investors find new sectors for growth, I am always on the cutting edge learning about what is next and using it to help others succeed.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
During the pandemic there were many challenges we all faced, myself included. I had to reinvent myself and find new strength and I did so in the financial and investment world. I realized I loved it. I was fascinated by it and I was good at some elements of it. So realizing that and starting Transend Capital was a major turning point because it showed me that we can all be what we put our focus on and not to be too attached to anything, to explore, learn, and grow.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I was going on air live for China Global once as a contributor and it was my first TV experience so I thought I was going to show up and be in this big elaborate studio. Turns out, it was just a dark room with one camera and an earpiece, which was even more nerve wracking. But the interview worked out and I learned to not take yourself so seriously and to have a good time, always.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Right now I am working on helping investors find opportunities that support the metaverse, smart cities, telecom, and IoT. These industries have the capability of being tremendous growth vehicles and I feel will change our modern day lives. We are looking at opportunities to support these industries through investments into securities, private equity, and commercial real estate.
What are your “3 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
The three things I was someone told me would be:
1. When building a business you have to focus on the money in. Businesses need revenue to function so take care of every single customer you have and learn to sustain first before trying to grow too quickly. I have had businesses succeed and fail over the years and the main lesson is to work hard for what you have and not be distracted by what you want. It will come.
2. Be patient. Real growth takes time. It will not happen overnight so buckle in and keep going. Each day counts and compound success is a real thing. Money comes and goes but the lessons and your skills are what matter so keep getting better and evolving. I had to learn so many lessons over the years in order to bring me to who I am today.
3. Solve problems, businesses are about solving problems for people and then asking for payment. If you are not solving problems you are not creating value and it won’t last. I realized how much easier everything was once I focused on communicating in this way. Listen to customers or clients, figure out their problems, and then map your services or products to that problem as the solution.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
My movement would be about being true to yourself. Too many people get caught up wanting to be Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, or Jeff Bezos. The world needs you, uniquely you, to be yourself and come forth with what you were meant to manifest in this life. Don’t judge your business, your talent, or your expressions of life. Stop looking outside and turn in and pursue the things you feel a pull toward. Do it with an open heart and mind. And keep growing. Stay in gratitude and embrace happiness. It is always available.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I met my teacher or guru SimranJi in 2012. And through her encouragement I started my first business, Grace Innovation, which I still run today. She was the first person who made me feel like I could actually even start and run a business. Before that I hadn’t even thought of it. So through her vision, her insight, and her encouragement I was able to do all of this. And she is the seed that sparked any success or growth I have today. Even in the dark times her mantra was “keep going” and “do all things with love” and she continues to inspire me today with her way of being and teachings. We all need people in our lives who can support us and who can show us the light when we lose our way, because we all do at times.
How can our readers follow you online?
The best way to stay in touch with me and follow me online would be my LinkedIn page. I do not use much personal social media anymore, but I am very active on my LinkedIn page. I enjoy helping in any way possible, so please feel free to message me directly.