Community Corner

Leader No. 18: Paul Lim Inspires the Asian American Business Community

The 28-year-old is local president for the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

Paul Lim is a financial adviser for New England Financial, but he has a nationwide focus as well.

Lim, 28, is San Diego chapter president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

As president, Lim works to support Asian American professionals in San Diego who are a part of a larger network of 3,000 nationwide. 

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Lim said he has more goals ahead and looks to entrepreneurs for inspiration.

“I have come to appreciate the fact that the self-employed and entrepreneurs are among the hardest working people in this country,” Lim said.

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“It was only after experiencing these lessons firsthand that I came to understand the many sacrifices that my own parents made to successfully operate a small business for over 30 years. 

“As far as future goals are concerned, I have certainly set some ambitious targets for myself, knowing that my own success can only be a manifestation of the good work that I do for other people.”

He said that “hearing about people like that makes you really want to get the most out of each day, knowing how valuable each moment really is.”

Advice for young people:

“When it is possible, I would suggest focusing the majority of your effort toward selecting the right people for your team.  I would estimate that this step will eliminate 70 percent of the most common issues that arise when orchestrating the efforts of a group.  I owe much of my success to the excellent members of my team who were, by their nature, compelled to produce high-quality work. When it is not an option for you to select your teammates/co-workers, you must strategically employ those methods that you find most useful for situations in which you are not naturally compatible with those around you.”


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