A young Gen Z couple planning to invest and save. they are sitting in a cafe
Much of the financial advice given to today’s youth disgusts Adam Struck.
A South African-born, Los Angeles-raised venture capitalist, Struck says today’s young people have more access to personal financial tools and information than any previous generation. But it also exposes them to far worse advice.
“I think influencers, especially those targeting Gen Z, are prematurely recommending investments in risky asset classes that are not understood,” he said. “Technology has democratized access to investment options that are esoteric for Gen Z, who is just beginning his financial journey. It’s important to approach investment options.”
The 35-year-old has some knowledge of investing. After earning his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown Law and his Management Certificate at Kellogg, Struck spent some time at Kirkland & Ellis as his M&A attorney. Despite landing what many would consider his dream job at one of the world’s largest law firms, he felt an entrepreneurial craving that the role could not drown out. was
In 2011, Struck left the company to start Long Island Brand Beverages, which he sold a few years later. By 2015, Struck owned his $25 million investment fund. By 2017, he was named Forbes One of His. 30 Under 30 for venture capitalAnd by 2020, he will be Investing on behalf of Hollywood celebrities Like Leonardo DiCaprio. Today, he manages hundreds of millions of assets between Struck Capital, Struck Crypto and Struck Studio.
“I was lucky to have good mentors around me who steered me in the right direction,” Strzok says of his early financial success. The best advice he received at that age, he says, was, “Take care of the pennies, and take care of the dollars yourself.”
Who you invest in is as important as your business plan
Social media content often portrays wealth primarily as an enabler of a luxurious lifestyle. But for Struck, becoming a millionaire before his 25th birthday didn’t stop there. It was the starting point for the next phase of his career.
“Exiting at a relatively young age put me in an entrepreneurial position,” he said. “That it leads to a more sophisticated investment lens where it’s not just investing in the space, the market or he KPIs, but also investing in founders and assessing the soft skills that really make a difference in tough times. I noticed.”
Don’t be fooled: digital currency is here
Many speculate that the recent collapse of major cryptocurrency exchange FTX will be the beginning of the end for digital currencies. But he thinks Struck is really just the beginning. He expects physical currencies to be replaced by digital alternatives, especially in countries experiencing hyperinflation and currency manipulation.
“We envision a future where all forms of assets can be tokenized on the blockchain, freeing individuals and businesses from brokers and third parties who do nothing more than ‘tax’ and delay transactions. to enable the exchange of ownership and value associated with assets. ” He said.
Basically, don’t count crypto. But the FTX meltdown should alert young people about investing in risky or unregulated assets, Strzok said, adding that the episode could lead to increased scrutiny of the industry. He added that he hopes to
“Regulation has always lagged behind innovation in core technology,” said Struck. “We believe the collapse of FTX will spur a wave of regulation that will make cryptocurrencies safer for consumers in the future, paving the way for mass adoption.”
Never forget that social media is not real
But Struck’s main financial advice for the next generation has nothing to do with money. He said that social and his media paint a dangerously inaccurate image of wealth, leading many to neglect what really matters in life and to covet a life of luxury.
“Money is important, but it’s a means, not an end,” he said. “You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have strong partners and good people around you, it really doesn’t matter.” Blockchain is central to the future of finance.
Grasp the future before it happens
As a venture capitalist, Struck says his job is to think about the world 10 years from now and invest accordingly. For example, we believe that the combination of financial digitization and strong surveillance will enable future generations to weather the kind of economic storms we are facing today.
Strzok also believes the future will also be shaped in large part by what he calls the “new industrial revolution” as the world moves from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
“The core technologies needed to make this happen will be tremendous wealth drivers, allowing us to more easily overcome macro tailwinds and various economic storms,” he said.
There is a lot of bad advice out there. While there are no completely provable bets, for Struck the only reliable path to success is to find leaders who are aware of tomorrow’s realities, who are not swayed by broader investor sentiment, and who have both the vision and the ability to execute. That’s it.
