Name: Vicki Zhou
Job Title and Description: Co-Founder and Co-CEO of WiseBanyan, the world’s first free financial advisor
College Name/Major: Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Math and Biomedical Engineering/Johns Hopkins University
Website: www.wisebanyan.com
Twitter: @vickizhou1
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Vicki Zhou: I have the same mission everyday (grow WiseBanyan!), but each day itself is different. Here are three main things I am consistently focused on: Learning, doing and teaching.
“Learning” can entail a session with our strategy and product team to gain deeper insight into our evolving landscape in order to craft an updated product roadmap. “Doing” means execution; if there is a roadblock keeping a team from finishing a project, or if they are struggling to stick to the timeline, I can help my teams to clear any hurdle and complete any task. “Teaching “means sharing our culture and mission with the team in order to clearly communicate our vision.
In addition to our current internal mission, we also endeavor to teach and educate people outside of our company about WiseBanyan and how they can better save and invest for the future.
What is the best part of your job?
VZ: The amazing team I work with is hands down the best part of the job. We’re working on something big, and that means disrupting a large and entrenched industry. It’s almost an understatement to say that it’s an incredible challenge, certainly one of the biggest problems I’ve ever tackled. This can’t be solved by one person alone, and the team I work with every day is filled with some of the smartest, most passionate people I’ve ever met.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
VZ: I work in the fintech (finance and technology) [industry] now, but my first experience in the financial services industry was at GE’s FMP program and later investment banking at Citigroup, both of which I got by applying to as many programs while in school as I could.
My first adventure into entrepreneurship was offering viola and violin lessons. Since I was not old enough to drive, I did this out of my parents’ living room. As I look back, I realize that I learned a lot about customer acquisition, time management and the importance of scalability (which this was not!). For example, I found students by putting up flyers in schools and libraries and giving info sessions at neighborhood schools. My educational background is in biomedical engineering, and many years after this first adventure, I co-invented a surgical device for open abdominal surgery and co-founded a medical device company.
What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?
VZ: Personal finance is extremely important. It’s rarely taught in schools, but as an adult it affects every part of your life. If you are better at managing your money and income, you will have more financial freedom and security for example, being able to buy a house sooner or retiring earlier).
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
VZ: Oh, this one is hard! There are almost too many people. I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with some downright amazing individuals and mentors, who I still learn from everyday. My grandparents have greatly influenced both my personal and professional lives. They immigrated here right before I was born. Before they came to the States, they were highly-educated professionals working office jobs similar to my jobs in finance. However, once here, they had to start all over, often time working long hours earning minimum wage. They taught me the value of hard work and to never give up.
What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?
VZ: Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Another one: “There’s no substitute for hard work. Always be humble and hungry.”
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
VZ: Not asking enough questions. While I was working on the medical device startup, there were many areas about the industry, like how to complete the FDA approval process, that we did not understand or have experience with. We spent a lot of time and resources trying to figure it out ourselves because we thought that was what we were supposed to do. After all, we were building the product and company from the ground up.
Now, I know better. This is why my co-founder and I have been able to build such an amazing team. We are always asking questions and when we do not have the answers, we work to find people with the experience and expertise to answer them. This is how we’ve built and continue to grow our team.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
VZ: Signing the lease for our second office last year. Now we’re (nearly) bicoastal in New York City and Las Vegas. It’s been incredible growing our team and both offices. We’ve nearly doubled in size and we’re building and creating at an incredible pace.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
VZ: Someone who is driven, self-motivated and a problem solver. We’re creating and building solutions that haven’t been built before. Our team is filled with people who are great learners, thinkers and problem solvers who are ready to tackle big, unsolved challenges. We know if we do this right, millions of people will be on their way to a better financial future.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
VZ: Hustle and be hungry. Work hard. Always be learning. Make mistakes and fail (and learn from those too). Find good people, and do all the above with them too.