Real money, real people.

This week, I got to sit down with my friend Gav, the CEO of WOLF Financial, to ask him questions about money, risk, and personal and professional development.

Gav is the CEO and voice of WOLF Financial. He hosts weekly spaces that cover anything related to finance and investing. His platform, WOLF Financial, has amassed over 300,000 followers on X.  Previously, he worked at Goldman Sachs before venturing out on his own to start his business. He is currently 25 years old and building a successful business, so I asked if he’d sit down with me to discuss his thoughts and feelings about money.

Here is how it went:

What is money to you?

Gav believes that money is not stagnant. He subscribes to the belief that money has different meanings depending on your status in life. To Gav, when he was beginning, money was his lifeline. It was what allowed him to survive and get through to another day. Having built out his business, Gav sees himself at a point where money has become a tool. Now he has rotated to viewing money as something that can allow him to grow personally and professionally. He also says it allows him to give to others in need. At the highest level, which is where Gav intends to end up, he believes that money can signify trust. This level allows people to recognize someone’s hard work and what they have achieved in a quantifiable way.

Gav also explained that he believes money can be a huge stress reliever. Having access to it can elevate your security around purchases and allow you to live more comfortably.

What is risk to you and how do you mitigate or accept it? 

As it pertains to personal finance and investments, Gav subscribes to a very long-term mindset when it comes to risk. He understands that investing does carry risk, however, he ensures he is in a position to take risks.

Gav says that as things get riskier, he decreases the size of his positions. This lets him mitigate any catastrophic events in the event something doesn’t work out as he planned.

At the end of the day, Gav tries to stack the odds in his favor based on his personal risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. He has preached a long-term mindset to so many people that he fully believes in it himself.

Outside of your business, what are ways you invest in yourself?

Outside of his business, Gav tries to stay focused on ensuring his physical and mental health are cared for. He says that one of the greatest perks of having money is that you can allocate more dollars to your health and well-being.

Gav began working out consistently around 8 months ago and got a coach to assist with his workout regimen and diet.

Gav also monitors and tracks his sleeping patterns. He said previous poor sleeping habits brought him to track his sleep. I agree with Gav here! Sleep is incredibly important and without proper sleeping schedules, you will not be operating very efficiently… Coffee can only take you so far.

Gav mentioned that he carves out time to spend with his family and girlfriend. It is refreshing to see that young professionals and business owners are taking care of themselves. It is important to understand that investing in your health and well-being can be a key to success.

If you had any advice for young professionals looking to start their professional journey, what would it be?

Gav had some great responses to this question. He started with hard work. Gav says that working harder than others will always be recognized, even if not at first. Over time, this will compound, and people will realize and respect your work ethic.

One of the easiest ways to display hard work is through follow-up and persistence. Gav says that without persistence, he would likely only be generating half as much revenue as he is right now.

Gav is the ultimate believer in trustworthiness. He urges young professionals to be confidential when it is expected of them. 

In today’s world, a lot of business is done over Zoom or a phone call. Gav states that there is no reason to be late to meetings. Especially if someone is paying for your services. Showing up on time is one of the easiest ways for young professionals to show their care for a client. If a meeting must be postponed, there are too many forms of communication not to give someone notice. I fully agree with Gav. Showing up on time is one of the easiest ways to display professionalism and show your clients and boss that you care about your work.

Gav finished our conversation by saying, “No one will care about your vision, profession, or business nearly as much as you. You can’t expect others to understand your passion, you have to show them. The best way for others to relate to your passion is by showing them how much you care, the amount of time you put in, and your dedication.”

This was my favorite thing Gav said during our conversation. At the end of the day, no one will care as much as you do. However, when you’re building a business or career people will eventually respect your vision as they see how dedicated you are to your craft. I think that is incredibly useful for anyone who is beginning a career or starting a business.

Check me out on X/Twitter, whatever we want to call it now:

Have a more specific question or want to get your finances in order? Feel free to reach out to [email protected] for a free consultation!