IPN Spotlight: Shafiq Jadavji (Financial Advisor, Principal Financial Group)
Shafiq is a Financial Advisor with Principal Financial Group in Atlanta where he works with growing businesses and professionals. Shafiq creates long-term financial strategies for individuals and business owners with a focus on helping clients create personal wealth and a well-planned financial retirement. Prior to moving to Atlanta in 2011, Shafiq served as a Director with Deutsche Bank in New York. Over the 17 year career on Wall Street, Shafiq worked in various sectors in transaction banking and spoke at numerous conferences.
Shafiq led IPN in the Southeast from 2012-2015 and has been involved with various national IPN initiatives. Currently, Shafiq serves as a Board Member with the Johns Creek Arts Center and as a Mentor with Leadership Johns Creek.Shafiq holds a MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a BS from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
What skills have helped you in your career?
I believe relationship building has been an extremely valuable skill set for me. This skill has allowed me to establish lasting friendships with smart and caring people. I am of the philosophy that people make things happen in life and if you are privileged to be around doers, you will eventually become a doer yourself.
Learning to be an effective leader has also helped me built character. I have spent tremendous time reading, listening and watching leadership in action. I enjoy watching movies where leadership is exemplified. To be an impactful leader is not easy, but it becomes fun once you master the art.
I have also come to realize the value of saying “NO”. As you become good at something, the demand for your time increases but there are only 24 hours in a day. To remain focused on things that are important to you and also have fun in life, it is extremely important to learn to say no.
What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I have always been a risk taker, but I wish I had taken greater risk earlier in my career to be more entrepreneurial. I got caught up with the comfortable corporate lifestyle and realized in my 40s that I like creating things and should give myself the opportunity before it is too late.
What is next for you in your career?
I made a career change in 2013 and decided to go from banking to financial advisory. It has been an interesting journey, but my timing could not have been better. There are a lot of changes coming up in the industry due to regulatory and technological innovation. The disruption that has occurred in other industries in the recent years is about to happen in the financial advisory and wealth management businesses. My goal is to take advantage of this opportunity and create an organization that comprehensively caters to the life cycle financial planning needs of individuals and businesses throughout the country.
What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
As a Financial Advisor, it is extremely important that I stay on top of my FINRA and State Licensing requirements through continuing education. Furthermore, since my focus is in the retirement segment, I do my best to stay abreast of regulatory changes impacting retirement planning for those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, approaching retirement and in retirement. I spend a good 10-15 percent of my time becoming knowledgeable about new strategies. I also attend industry events on a regular basis to learn from others.
What advice would you offer to others?
Be passionate about your career and life in general. Don’t do things just to make money. Spend time to understand what you like and focus your energy towards your core competencies. Figure out a way to use your career to make an impact in the lives of others. Build a Personal Brand for yourself so you can stand apart not only for your knowledge, but also for your integrity. Be a valuable friend in good and bad times. Embrace risk. You will be surprised how much we learn about life when we fail. Make failure your best friend.
More importantly, always STAY HUNGRY. Change is one constant element in life, but the only way we will succeed in the changing world is to stay hungry for knowledge. As Ismailis, we have been blessed to have the guidance of our Imam. Pay attention to what He says and the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Lastly, have FUN. Life is short, enjoy every moment of it and when it is all done, ask yourself “Did I Matter?”
Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Financial planning input and careers
• Civic Engagement
• Leadership
• Cricket / Jubilee Games
Shafiq was honored to Captain the USA Cricket Team at the inaugural Golden Jubilee Games in Nairobi, Kenya and at the most recent Jubilee Games in Dubai, UAE.
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