Head of Sales & Marketing, Nikko AM NZ, James Wesley Talks Funding Dreams
What advice would you give your 20 year-old self?
Work hard, play hard, travel – and make sure there’s time for family and friends amongst all that! I was raised with a belief that success, or rather satisfaction, comes not just from hard work but from embracing risks. Enjoy the process … life isn’t a dress rehearsal so make it rewarding.
How do you stay motivated?
Firstly by making sure all the basic foundations are right – the common sense stuff like regular exercise, a balanced diet and surrounding myself with good people. I like new music, so listening to those feeds is super important too.
From a career perspective, it’s about progress – learning, pushing, challenging – but also then being able to tune out every now and then to reboot. Every five years I take a few months off work to travel somewhere new.
If you didn’t need money, what would you do?
Build a Baldface-type lodge in the mountains outside of Queenstown: a spot for snowboarders, for good times. Masses of snow-covered terrain and cats to take you up the hill in the morning, creating some of the best shredding memories of people’s lives.
What is the worst mistake you’ve made and how did you fix it?
I’ve made plenty, but one that seems relevant now was following a hot tip on a stock in my early 20’s. Needless to say, the company proved to be a total dud. While it was only a very modest amount, it didn’t feel like it at the time. But it taught me a valuable lesson … leave the stock picks to the pros!
What is your advice for people to fund their dream?
Start investing now – preferably via our managed funds! To turn $10K of savings into a $50K fund, you need to make your money work for you – and regular savings and compound returns are some of the best ways to do this. We talk a lot about time in the markets, rather than timing the markets – and as Buffet said, someone’s sitting in the shade today because they planted a tree a long time ago.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
The Ledbury, Notting Hill, London.
What is the secret of living a longer, more successful life?
Love many, trust few and paddle your own canoe.