I had the pleasure of speaking with Rory Douglas. With over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, Rory is a Financial Educator, High-Performance Life Coach and an International Best-Selling Author.
Rory Douglas began his career as a music manager, overseeing the careers of well-known talent including Bobby Brown and Blackstreet’s Dave Hollister to name just a few. With the changes to the industry brought on by streaming music services, he shifted his focus to financial education and literacy, with the goal of giving people the tools to find financial freedom.
Rory Douglas is also a highly accomplished motivational speaker who enjoys speaking to everyone from high school students to tech company executives across the country on how they can find financial independence and fulfillment in life. He recently collaborated with fellow entrepreneurs on the book Cracking the Rich Code, which gives readers tools on how to win in the current economy.
As a Master Coach, Rory Douglas is very passionate about helping people find their purpose in life. Using life coaching combined with principles of spiritual psychology, he encourages them to ponder and answer the questions “Who am I?”, What do I want?” and “How do I get it?” He uses the answers to help them out of limitation and into fulfillment. Rory Douglas has also authored several books on the subject of personal fulfillment including Fear to Freedom with Kim Roundtree, which offered strategies on how to overcome your fears and persevere in life.
An Interview with Rory Douglas
How did you get started in the business of financial education and high-performance life coaching?
I’ve always had a passion for business. I’ve worked jobs from sweeping the floor, washing windows, management and upper executive positions. Business in Finance is my passion. Helping people reach their full potential in life is my purpose. I was given my first opportunity in the Financial Business by a Financial Guru and mentor named Joseph Gelman. I was an intern in his firm where I learned from the ground up and eventually became a partner.
How has this changed your life?
I personally believe that opportunity is greater than money. If I did not have the luxury of having mentors who took me “underneath their wing”, I would have never been allowed the opportunity to live my dreams and my purpose. Never chase money, but always chase opportunity.
Tell us about your work as a financial educator, author and motivational speaker. What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most is speaking to massive crowds. I love to use my gift of connecting with people through education, motivation and speech knowing that they are walking away with something that will last them a lifetime and not a lunchtime.
Tell us about your Holla At A Scholar Podcast?
The podcast is a very informative and educational podcast. I take my life experiences in the areas of Financial Literacy, Artificial Intelligence, Motivation, Inspiration and Entrepreneurial Insights to encourage and motivate people to pursue their purpose.
Now about your books “Fear to Freedom,” “The Power to Get Wealth: No Money Required”, “Artificial Intelligence” and “Cracking the Rich Code.” What can you tell us about each of these?
Each of these books cover different topics. “Fear to Freedom” encourages the reader to get over fear and anxiety and to rise above their adversities. “The Power to Get Wealth: No Money Required” breaks down the misconception of “Wealth”. It teaches the difference between “Spiritual Wealth” and “Natural Wealth”. The readers are given seven “Key Success Principles” to apply to their life. “Artificial Intelligence” covers Technology, Social Media, Environment, Nutrition and Education.
It advises readers on how to get prepared for a rapidly changing society. “Cracking the Rich Code” is a collaboration with Power House, World-Renowned entrepreneurs including Jim Britt, Tony Robbins, and Kevin Harrington. “Cracking the Rich Code” meets the entrepreneur where they are at and guides them to where they want to be. It proves that there is a secret to success.
Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?
The hardest time I faced in the beginning of my journey was getting over my personal fears. These fears were deep-rooted which stemmed from my childhood. As I grew in my profession, I was steadily met with challenges of finding my niche, my passion and overall acceptance of self. I often asked myself “Do I have what it takes to make it?” It wasn’t until I met my mentor that I had a complete life transformation. What I’ve learned is that once you find your passion, you’ll find your purpose.
Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?
I always knew deep down in my heart that the reward would be greater than the challenges and risk.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Always think before you speak. I “bit off more than I could chew” early on in my career without being qualified to fulfill my obligations, which resulted in me running around like a chicken with its head cut off and eventually led me to failure. I’ve learned that in life there are never any “losses”, only lessons, so learn from your mistakes.
Any advice to entrepreneurs out there?
95% of those who call themselves Entrepreneurs are not. In fact, most people are Wantreprenuers; a word that I created. In order to be a true entrepreneur, you have to come in early and leave out late. You have to turn your “9-5” job into your “5-9” business. Which means you have to work at least 16 hours a day to be a true entrepreneur.
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months during COVID-19?
I am a very hands-on person and I like to talk to people face-to-face. I had to make a quick decision to transition my business into one that is run fully via the web such as Zoom and social media.
What’s next for Rory Douglas in 2020?
Although 2020 has been the most challenging year of our lives for many of us, my goal is to make this year my best year. My motto in life is: “Wherever there’s a problem, there’s always an opportunity”.
To learn more about Rory Douglas, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and on LinkedIn.
