Interview with Mike Giordano of Williams Wealth Management
“Curiosity is the key to success”
FB: BIRTH PLACE?
MG: Pittsburgh, PA
FB: TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?
MG: I enjoy living in Simpsonville,SC, with my wife, Malisa, 2 year old daughter, Ruthi, and infant son, Theodore. MY favorite thing about Greenville, SC is the overall vibe–the parks and the restaurants. The “must see” for anyone visiting the area is a trip to downtown Greenville. I don’t get to experience it as much as I used to because of the rug rats, I mean, children.
FB: WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Free time? Check back with me when the kids are out of the house and the social security check is in the mail. In those precious moments of freedom, I enjoy reading newspapers and magazines or grabbing my guitar and strumming some tunes on the front porch. I still faithfully support my hometown teams, the Steelers and Penguins
FB: SO PITTSBURGH TO GREENVILLE. I FEEL THERE IS A STORY IN THERE SOMEWHERE. WHAT WAS HER NAME?
MG: Lol, her name was television. After graduating with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University, I started my career as a newsman in Augusta, GA. I then made a stop in Johnson City, Tennessee before arriving at WYFF in Greenville to cover sports. In the Fall of 2013, I was up in Knoxville covering the Gamecocks visit. It was one of those perfect fall afternoons in Tennessee, so afterwards I walked the campus reflecting on my career. It was there I decided to make a change. Three months later, I joined Morgan Stanley.
FB: CURRENT JOB and TITLE?
MG: Mike Giordano Financial Advisor with Williams Wealth Management
FB: HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE THAT AS A CAREER?
MG: I love sports and television but I felt like a could better serve people by helping them make sound financial decisions. I was raised on budgeting, saving and investing. They were a part of daily life. I had many jobs growing up—mowing lawns, restaurant work, an evening paper route. My parents were concerned I might “throw away” my earnings into Nintendo video games so they encouraged me to put money into the markets. I still remember buying my first stock and then checking the newspaper each day to see how it was performing. It became habitual and quickly developed a passion that has never left. So that made leaving the anchor desk much easier. However, eight years later, I’m back! Well, sort of. You can still see me each Wednesday evening on WYFF News 4 discussing financial markets and investments. All my worlds are colliding and I’m grateful.
FB: NINTENDO, THAT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE SYSTEM. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE GAME?
MG: A hockey game…NHLPA 1993. I’m not sure why but, besides the Penguins, I loved being the New York Islanders. (That just gave me a rush of old memories, playing with my brother afterschool while eating soft pretzels)
FB: SIMILAR TO PHOTOGRAPHERS, THERE ARE AT LEAST A MILLION FINANCIAL ADVISORS IN GREENVILLE. WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM THE OTHERS?
MG: A million may be a stretch, but not far off! Communication is always the key ingredient. Financial advising is the art of harnessing the markets to help a person create more out of their life. We want clients to expand what they believe is possible for their lives then help them achieve it by making the best use out of every dollar. Just like GPS, the simpler the navigation, the better.
FB: ANY CLOSING THOUGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD OR PLUG (hint hint :)?
MG: Is that a leading question? Lol. I think what separates you is your curiosity and ability to listen. Your images evoke emotion and maximize personality. I’m grateful you’re willing to keep clicking until you capture that “wow” moment. Back in my television days, we called it the “money” shot.
FB: THANKS, THAT’S QUITE KIND OF YOU (AS I SLIDE $50 ACROSS THE TABLE TO MIKE)!
Mike Giordano is available at michael@wwmgreenville.com or 864-282-2935 to discuss your financial planning needs.
Contact Forrest Briggs at 864-336-3554 or email us here.
