Name:
Location:
Market:
Peter Bielagus
Bedford, New Hampshire
Teaching financial literacy to young America and teaching
parents how to get their kids excited about money.
Fiscal Role Model
When did you know you wanted to be
a professional speaker? When I realized I
had to become a professional speaker.
Shortly after publishing my first book, Getting
Loaded, I learned most authors initially make
money through speaking than writing. So I
started speaking and soon fell in love.
What was your day job before you
became a speaker? I had a slew of different jobs in the financial industry, as a financial advisor, real estate broker and tax
consultant.
What makes you an
expert? I’m one of the
few licensed financial
advisors who specializes
exclusively in young
America. But I’m also
that guy—six months
into my freshman year
of college I was $5,000
in credit card debt. I
did every dumb thing
that I now advise students not to do.
What do you bring to
the platform that is
unique? I make finance
—a topic that typically
wreaks of boredom—fun
for young America, an audience that far too many
believe are simply not interested in this stuff (and can you blame
them, the way it’s typically presented?).
When did you realize your message was ready for prime time?
When, as a completely unknown
author with no business in place (no paid
speeches, no Web site, no brochures, no
business cards), I landed an international
book deal with one of the largest publishers
in the world.
What do you most want to accomplish as
a result of being a part of this profession?
I want to change forever for the better the
financial lives of every young American. I
want people to realize they have more
than they think, they can spend less while
having more fun, and no matter how young
or old, today is the perfect time to get
started on their financial life.
What is the scariest moment you’ve ever
had when presenting to an audience?
Ahhhh, I broke that NSA dictum of taking a
speaking engagement I was unqualified to
give. Being young, stupid and desperate I
said cheerfully, “Sure, I speak on that.”
Ooops. I was nervous from the moment I
hung up until two weeks after the speech.
New speakers: stick to your niche. You’ll feel
better and make more money.
How did you find NSA? My good friend Sean
Stephenson kept on me to join. We agreed
that if I hit my target goal of speeches this
past year then I would join. When I hit my target, I joined. And I’m glad I did.
What contributions would you like to
make to NSA? I’d like to see more young
speakers join. At the National Convention it
was revealed that there were shockingly
few speakers under age 40. I’d like to
change that.
