Upon graduation, the idea of working in a renowned bank with a great variety of products lured me into banking. However, with the bureaucratic structure, as well as promotions being based on seniority, good career prospects and substantial pay rises were totally out of the question. In contrast, as a financial planner, the sky is the limit. As long as the production targets and requirements are fulfilled, one can get promoted. This career gives me total autonomy in career development and earnings.

There is a dream for everyone. Since my childhood it’s been my aspiration to run a business and own a waterfront house. Now working in the financial-planning industry, I am literally running my own business at no cost. The harder I work towards my dreams, the greater the rewards I gain, and so far my total income from my first two years has been in the seven digits.

My reluctance to sell insurance to friends was an obstacle. But this psychological barrier has long gone, ever since my first successful medical insurance claim of $120,000 for a friend, which helped him out of an awkward financial situation. I also came to realize that ‘proposing’ an excellent financial-planning solution is just like recommending a good movie to a friend, simply because good things are worth sharing. The commission system was certainly a big worry when first entering the industry. Nevertheless, I was later inspired by my mentor, who said: ‘It is this very system that allows you to have a pay rise whenever you justify it.’ Now the commission system has become my greatest source of motivation.