David Deshong – Financial Services Professional & Financial Literacy Advocate
Personal Notes
I’ve been a working stiff most of my life. Determined to accumulate wealth despite encountering hardships, setbacks and disappointments, I worked hard, studied and ventured down many paths. Some were successful, others hit deadends. I’ve experienced firsthand how the financial industry is set up to enhance their own bottom line at the expense of the average saver/investor. And this made me want to provide a venue that would help guide the average person. I’m glad to say that venue/resource is me.
I became a stockbroker, registered investment advisor and got licensed in health and life insurance. I had the audacity to actually want to do what was right for my clients. I cycled through three different broker dealers, finding none to be reputable, I left the industry. Since then, I’ve been working with family and friends to help them with their finances.
I’m ecstatic since the opportunity to become a certified financial educator has become a reality. I’m highly motivated and enthusiastic to mentor and teach financial literacy. I know there are families and groups that want to turn their lives around and become bold, independent and financially astute.
If you do not want to struggle financially but rather understand with confidence a way to choose a prosperous path to a new world with new opportunities and satisfying choices, please feel free to contact me.
Bio
David Deshong, born in Oak Park, IL, grew up in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst, playing sandlot baseball but his love of playing basketball lasted well into his 50s. After high school graduation in 1973, he relocated to Minnesota to attend Bemidji State College, transferred to the U of M Twin Cities, where he not only dropped out to make films but met and married his sweetheart, Gayle. They have been married 40 years, have 2 grown daughters and are homeowners in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. They are hoping to become grandparents, soon!
Being a true Jack of all Trades, David enjoyed managing and owning rental property and did so successfully for 16 years. He returned to the U of M to study International Development. That ignited another interest-financial management. While working in security for Methodist Hospital, David pushed hard, self- studied and in 2000, passed his series 7 to become a stockbroker, series 63, life/health insurance license and finally, his series 65 to become a Registered Investment Advisor. He worked in the industry for 3 years but left due to unethical methods being embraced in the field. He knew integrity was more important than profit.
David decided to mix things up and get his hands dirty, so he entered the apprenticeship program of local 548 and became a journeyman Millwright (masters of factory relocation, machine installation, repair and maintenence). He listened to some of his co-workers stories of cashing large checks, burning through their wages to purchase beer, trucks, gambling-nearly everything but planning, saving, or investing for their futures. David began ‘advising’ many friends, co-workers and family members as his passion dictated; all to important and meaningful successes.
David is now retired from fulltime Millwrighting. He and Gayle began their own business 7 years ago and work part-time caring for seniors providing rides, companionship, light housework, laundry, grocery/clothes shopping-stepping in when necessary to make their seniors’ lives smoother.
In 2016, David, a lifelong learner, decided to become an NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructor, a teacher of financial literacy. This was a true calling! What a blessing to be able to mentor to individuals, families and groups about money, finances and becoming wealthy. This is David’s lifelong interest and a dream come true – a way to share his passion.