By Jessica Y. Jung, CFP® – President, Vast Wealth Advisors
I was just two years old when my family left Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States. We didn’t have much. Like many immigrant families, we were starting over—new language, new culture, new rules. My parents, especially my dad, never let that stop us. Instead, they taught me that challenge is simply the starting point of growth.
As I look back on my journey—through elite schools, into the finance industry, and eventually building my own wealth advisory firm—I realize that some of my most powerful leadership traits were shaped not in boardrooms or classrooms, but around our dinner table, watching my parents navigate life in a new country.
This blog is a reflection on those lessons. If you’re from an immigrant family, you’ll probably recognize many of these values. If you’re not, I hope it gives you a window into the quiet leadership forged in resilience, sacrifice, and love.
Lesson #1: Discipline Is a Daily Practice
My father is one of the most disciplined people I know. A finance professor by trade, he approached every aspect of life with intention and structure—whether it was continuing to expand his knowledge, staying physically fit, or showing up early for every commitment.
Discipline wasn’t about perfection. It was about consistency. He used to tell me that taking care of your body helps sharpen your mind—and that if I could control my habits, I could direct my future.
In a world that often glorifies shortcuts, I learned that the real edge comes from showing up, every day, whether or not it’s convenient. That’s something I carry into my work with clients. Long-term wealth is built the same way: not overnight, but over time, with focus and discipline.
Lesson #2: Hard Work Is the Baseline, Not the Goal
Growing up, I never saw my parents take a break. My mom juggled work and home, making sure we had every opportunity she never did. My dad worked long hours, all while mentoring students, reading constantly, and still finding time to help me with school.
There was no entitlement in our house. Success wasn’t something you were owed—it was something you earned. And once you earned it, you had a responsibility to use it well.
This shaped how I lead my team and serve my clients. I believe in earning trust through action. I don’t assume anything is “beneath” me. Whether it’s building a complex estate strategy or taking time to walk a client through the basics, I do the work because that’s what leadership is—serving others with excellence and humility.
Lesson #3: Perseverance Doesn’t Shout, It Endures
There were moments when things didn’t go smoothly for our family—financial stress, cultural misunderstandings, even discrimination. But my parents never let adversity define them.
They pushed forward, quietly and steadily, often without recognition. That’s the kind of perseverance you learn when quitting simply isn’t an option.
As a business owner, I’ve faced my own versions of those trials—client concerns, economic downturns, roadblocks that made me question if I was on the right path. But I kept going. Why? Because I had watched two people model resilience for me my entire life.
Perseverance is a quiet strength. It’s what allows leaders to stay steady in chaos, calm in crisis, and hopeful in uncertainty. That steadiness is something my clients feel when we work together—and it’s rooted in what I witnessed growing up.
Lesson #4: Learning Is a Lifelong Habit
My dad didn’t just teach finance—he lived it. He was always reading. Always learning. And he passed that on to me.
To this day, I read about 50 books a year. That habit was never about achievement—it was about curiosity. It was about never assuming you know it all.
In financial planning, that mindset is essential. Tax laws change. Markets evolve. Client needs shift. Staying informed isn’t optional—it’s the standard. But more than that, continuous learning keeps me grounded. It reminds me that the best leaders don’t pretend to know everything—they stay inquisitive, ask better questions, and remain open to growth.
Lesson #5: Success Is Not Just About You
In immigrant families, success is rarely an individual pursuit. It’s communal. When one person thrives, the whole family moves forward. And with that comes a deep sense of responsibility.
That’s why I’m so passionate about financial literacy and giving back. I support causes like Autism Speaks, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Nashville Rescue Mission—not just because they do incredible work, but because I believe that wealth should lift others, not just benefit ourselves.
As a leader, I try to live that every day. Whether I’m mentoring a young advisor, advising a family on how to build multigenerational wealth, or volunteering in my community, I lead with the understanding that success is most meaningful when it creates opportunity for others.
Final Thoughts
The lessons I learned from my first-generation immigrant parents shaped not only the way I live—but the way I lead.
Discipline. Hard work. Perseverance. A growth mindset. Responsibility. These aren’t buzzwords on a corporate values poster. They’re the foundation of a life—and a business—built with purpose.
If you’re from a first-generation family, I hope you know how much strength is in your story. And if you’re working with leaders from different backgrounds, take the time to learn what shaped them. You might find that the most powerful leadership lessons aren’t taught in business school—they’re passed down, generation to generation, around kitchen tables just like mine.
Jessica Y Jung, CFP® is the founder of Vast Wealth Advisors. She helps business owners and high-net-worth individuals align their resources with their goals through customized wealth strategies. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc, a broker-dealer member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Vast Wealth Advisors are not affiliated. Cambridge does not offer tax or legal advice. Fixed insurance services offered through independent insurance carriers.