She’s Got Moxie!: Meet Lynn Chen-Zhang

MEET LYNN

CHENZHANG

CEO, Chief Compliance Officer, Certified Financial Planner, Certified Public Accountant, business owner, philanthropist, wife, mother, and friend. Those are just some of the many hats worn by Lynn Chen-Zhang, and trust me when I tell you, she wears each of those hats very well. Unapologetically feminine and undeniably extraordinary, Lynn Chen-Zhang is a force to be reckoned with in finance. Serving as the CEO and Chief Compliance Officer of Zhang Financial (ranked the top fee-only RIA in the state of Michigan by Financial Advisor Magazine), Mrs. Zhang leads a team of exceptional financial advisors and support staff alongside her husband, Charles Zhang (who was just named the sixth top wealth advisor in America by Forbes.) When spending time with Mrs. Zhang, it is easy to see that she means business! Last month, the Moxie team had the pleasure of sitting with Mrs. Zhang for an afternoon of conversation and questions. We are incredibly pleased to kick off this She Means Business edition of Moxie Magazine with the wisdom and wit of Mrs. Lynn Chen-Zhang.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST CRUCIAL ELEMENTS IN STARTING A NEW CAREER?

A: Being flexible is one of the most crucial elements in starting a career. Steadily understanding how to adapt and perform your job rather than immediately getting satisfaction for things turning out well is essential to developing skill and character in the business world.

If every day is sunny, you won’t appreciate a sunny day.

If you struggle, don’t be afraid to pivot and change course. Find your strengths and utilize them. Always be curious about how you grow, evolve, and progress in your career.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN ADDING NEW EMPLOYEES TO THE ZHANG FINANCIAL TEAM?

A: Our highest priority is finding team members who are friendly, honest, kind, and service-oriented. While skills are critical, they can be trained. We pride ourselves on having a quality team who genuinely loves and wants to help people.

Another quality we highly value is curiosity and determination. Self-starters with a keen eye for detail are significant to our team’s success. These team members pride themselves on going the extra mile for clients, which is remarkably noticeable. So noticeable that Zhang Financial has several clients who have been with the firm for three decades.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB?

I love seeing how our work directly helps people’s lives. When clients see the fruits of their labor, it is the most fulfilling part of the job. I always want to be able to look my clients in the eye and say, “I did the best for your interest because I have no other agenda.” It is so gratifying for me to see

“A workplace culture that encourages communication is essential, and there should be confidence that we operate in an environment where discussion is welcome.”

the impact of our work on clients’ lives. At Zhang Financial, we live by the motto, “when you work with us, you don’t have to worry about the details; we do.”

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER TO THIS POINT?

HOW DOES ZHANG FINANCIAL ENCOURAGE ITS TEAM MEMBERS TO CONTINUE LEARNING AND GROWING?

It is imperative to help young people further their education, even after they receive their degree. Charles and I are committed to professional and personal development among our team. Charles started a book club targeting the firm’s younger staff. The club meets via Zoom for an hour each week. The club’s objective is to implement advice from other professionals into the firm’s culture and the routines of its young professionals. Recently they discussed The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey, which is one of my favorites! Intentionally instilling good habits into a routine is so important. Once those habits become routine, they become a part of you; once they become part of you, they are always there. I believe every employer and organization has a social responsibility to help young people grow.

WHAT IS ESSENTIAL IN KEEPING TEAM MEMBERS HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE?

Communication is vital! Leaders need to listen, but employees need to learn to communicate. My door is always open for my team, and I work with them to resolve their problems. A workplace culture that encourages communication is essential, and there should be confidence that we operate in an environment where discussion is welcome. It is important to remember that while the discussion is welcome, it does not mean that people always get what they want. Without a doubt, learning to balance life and work. Being the firm’s CEO, wife, and mom of two sons (now adults, both working in finance), it has at times been challenging to find any balance, but I have to admit, it all worked out in the end. It can become hard to maintain

“I believe every when you start getting busy employer and and are being pulled in ten different directions. I have organization has a found that making and social responsibility following a to-do list helps me to help young prioritize and stay on track.

people grow.” DO YOU HAVE A LIFE PHILOSOPHY?

If you put in the work and effort, there is nothing to regret in life. I always ask myself, have I given my all? Is there anything else I could have done? Things don’t always work out, but when I give my all, I can walk away with no regrets because I know I have given 110%.

YOU AND CHARLES HAVE GIVEN OUR COMMUNITY SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PHILANTHROPIC PROJECTS HAVE BEEN?

One of our first and most significant projects was the Legacy Collections Center at my alma mater, Western Michigan University. For years many of this region’s historical documents were housed in a dried-out, abandoned swimming pool. We partnered with WMU and built a state-of-the-art, safe place to house these precious documents which hold so much of the community’s history. The Legacy Collections Center is home to the WMU Archives and Regional History Collection and is the most significant archives building in southwest Michigan and was awarded the silver certification in energy and environmental design. Another favorite was inspired by my “third son,” Sparky (the Shih-Tzu) Zhang, Chief Financial Pawfficer, and was just completed. Charles and I are passionate about helping animals and were proud to partner with The Kalamazoo County Humane Society in their new Animal Care & Resource Center. The space has quality veterinary medical rooms, an education space, and a beautiful memorial garden to honor pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

The third and final project I want to mention is the new Portage Community Senior Center. So many of our clients and friends enjoy spending time at the senior center; we were inspired to partner with the City of Portage in building this beautiful center to serve the current seniors and many generations to come.

WHAT SPARKED YOUR PHILANTHROPIC SPIRIT?

When we arrived in Kalamazoo, we were young college students without much to give. This community supported and encouraged us in those early years. An old Chinese saying is, “when you are thirsty, and someone gives you a drop, you repay them with a spring.” That is the basis of our philanthropic spirit toward this fantastic community.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PARTING ADVICE FOR OUR READERS?

Ultimately, whether at work or in the world, most people want to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Always do your best and remember that even the slightest difference can significantly impact another person. Knowing there is always an opportunity to give and positively impact the lives of others keeps me motivated and moving forward.

Mary Miller

Mary graduated from Western Michigan University. She lives in the Portage area and enjoys visiting local coffee shops, restaurants, and stores. In her free time, she likes to read and go shopping.