What a Musician Taught Me About the Word “Investment”
Sometimes the most memorable conversations happen when two worlds collide. A few days ago, I joined a casual hangout where everyone was introducing themselves. One person proudly said she was a musician. When it was my turn, I introduced myself as an investment advisor, and the moment I said those words, her face lit up.
“Oh! So you invest in upcoming artists?” she asked excitedly.
For a second, I realized we were talking about two completely different types of investment. She thought I was the kind of investor who finances musicians, helping them produce songs, shoot videos, and build their careers in exchange for a share of future earnings. It's a business model that's becoming more common in the entertainment industry. I had to explain that my work is different. I help people invest their money through licensed fund managers so their savings can grow over time. My focus is on financial planning, wealth creation, and helping people achieve long-term financial goals.
Her excitement quickly faded. Instead of becoming interested, she immediately objected. She said those investments sounded fake and couldn't imagine trusting someone to save her money. It wasn't the reaction I expected, but it reminded me of something important. Many people don't reject investing because they dislike growing their money. They reject it because they don't understand how it works, or because they have heard stories that make them skeptical. Trust is one of the biggest barriers in financial advisory.
As advisors, we often assume that once we explain an investment product, people will automatically see its value. But that's rarely the case. Every person brings their own experiences, fears, and misconceptions into the conversation. This encounter also made me appreciate how the same word, investment, can mean completely different things depending on who you're talking to. For a musician, investment may mean someone funding their dream. For an entrepreneur, it may mean raising capital for a business. For a financial advisor, it means helping people put their money to work through regulated investment opportunities. None of these meanings are wrong. They're simply different perspectives.
I left that conversation a little disappointed that I couldn't help her see the value of investing financially. But I also left with a valuable reminder: before explaining what you do, first understand what people think you do. Communication isn't just about speaking clearly. It's about meeting people where they are.
Through this experience I have learnt that people are at different stages of their education journey, and information is not evenly spread. People naturally focus on what they know best, but basic financial literacy is not taught in school, and that is exactly why I love educating people every day.
You don't have to be ready today for me to close you. My aim is to educate you and share information, so that when you feel comfortable enough, or after burning your fingers or losing time elsewhere, you remember that there is someone ready to walk with you on your investment journey.
Because every meaningful investment begins with trust.
