I left Japan in 2004 and moved to New York. It turned out to be quite an adjustment for me, having no friends or family in the US. I decided to throw everything I had into launching my own financial planning business. Starting from scratch, I followed one piece of advice I had learned from successful entrepreneurs: “Give, give, give.”
So I gave. I started out by giving away information that I knew could be helpful for others in the Japanese community that were living here in the States. At first, I focused on information about how to prepare for college in the US by making the most of the financial aid system. I shared what I had discovered by giving seminars and writing reports.
The first few years were extremely challenging. I made no profit whatsoever. However, the positive side of those early days was that I was truly able to experience the impact that my company had on the lives of individuals. On several occasions, I saw how a single piece of information could drastically change someone’s life for good. Looking back, I have to say that I’m proud of those days, even if clients weren’t knocking down my door. I may have been eating a $2 pizza slice nearly every day for lunch, working out of a studio apartment in Woodside, NY, but I had conviction. I knew I was doing the right thing and that eventually it would make a tremendous difference to the community.
Giving financial advice became my passion. Every day, I would wake up and head out to find what the community needed. I was committed to doing whatever it took to research, learn and share what I found with the people who needed it, and present it in a way that anyone could understand. More than anything, my most rewarding experiences came in those moments when I succeeded at educating clients. I could see the light bulb go off above their heads and the look on their faces meant everything to me.
Today, 10 years have passed since that lean morning when I landed at JFK with nothing more than a suitcase and some hope. My clients have grown steadily year over year and my business is thriving now. We currently have $20 million in Assets Under Advisement thanks to some really wonderful people who I have been privileged to help along the way. What is truly amazing, though, is that one thing that has never changed from those very first days. My company and I really only want to give our clients that “aha” moment that leads them to financial success.
We give our clients the same advice and access to powerful information that we would give to our own family members. I tell it like it is- good news or bad. My goal every day is to be absolutely certain that by the time a client leaves my office, they are fully equipped with the knowledge and wisdom they need to make the right choices for their lives. I want to be sure that my clients reach whatever it is they want to achieve.
Contact me to learn more about what it takes to achieve your life goals and provide security for your family over the long term. My company and I would be delighted to share with you all that we have learned over the years. We are looking forward to being your life-long partner for financial success.
SHUNSUKE JIMMY FUKUSHI
President
- Certified Financial Planner™ Professional
- Securities Licenses: Series 7, 63, & 65
- Insurance License: Life Insurance #0F50677
- Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from Hitotsubashi University