Q: How do you define success, especially in your line of work?
Hong Wei Liao: For me, success is not just about outcomes—it’s about continuity. In the world of family wealth, we often think of success as assets growing or portfolios performing well. But long-term success is measured by whether those assets serve future generations. Are families staying together? Are values being passed down? That’s harder to measure, but much more meaningful.
Q: You’re known for combining financial planning with wellness and education. How did that idea come about?
Liao: I watched too many families struggle with stress and burnout, especially second-generation inheritors. They had money, but their health suffered. They felt pressure to meet standards they didn’t choose. So we started asking different questions: Are you sleeping? Do you have balance? That’s when I realised wellness and legacy must be planned together. That became one of the core ideas behind the Botrich platform.
Q: What has your background taught you about success from a cultural perspective?
Liao: I was born in Hunan, China. In Chinese culture, there’s a deep respect for ancestors and for planning ahead. But there’s also sometimes a silence around emotional matters. I see this in other immigrant communities too. People work hard, they build wealth, but they avoid talking about what happens next. That silence can damage the very legacy they worked for. Success, to me, includes creating a culture of open conversation across generations.
Q: What challenges have you faced building a cross-disciplinary platform like Botrich?
Liao: Integration is always a challenge. Financial advisors, lawyers, health experts—each one speaks their own language. Bringing them into one conversation takes time and effort. But the reward is seeing a family feel supported in every area of life. One example that stands out: we helped a family restructure their estate while also supporting a child with a long-term illness. That required financial work, medical coordination, and emotional support. Success, in that case, was peace of mind.
Q: You’re involved in youth development and women’s leadership. What role do those areas play in your view of success?
Liao: I believe success must be inclusive. If we don’t invest in young people and women, we’re building on a shaky foundation. I’ve worked with organisations like the Canada Youth Funding Association and the North America United Global Women’s Association for that reason. One programme we supported helped teenage girls learn negotiation skills. One girl told me, “No one ever taught me how to speak up in a room of adults.” That moment, for her, was success.
Q: You’ve received several awards, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Do you see awards as a mark of success?
Liao: Recognition is meaningful, of course. But I see awards as acknowledgements of service, not endpoints. They remind me to keep working. The King Charles III medal in 2025 meant a lot because it reflected community impact, not just business outcomes. To me, success is about being useful—not just being known.
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to define success on their own terms?
Liao: Start with your values, not your goals. Goals change. Values are steadier. Ask yourself: Who do I want to serve? What do I want to leave behind? If you can answer those questions, success will take shape in a way that feels authentic. Also—be flexible. The world changes fast. Your version of success at 25 may not serve you at 50. That’s normal.
Q: What’s something you’ve learned from failure that shaped your view of success?
Liao: I once spent months building a programme that didn’t gain traction. It was well-designed, but it didn’t speak to what people really needed at the time. I learned that listening is more important than planning. Now, before we build anything new at Botrich, we hold listening sessions. Real success means responding—not assuming.
Q: Final thoughts—what do you wish more people understood about success?
Liao: That it’s not a finish line. It’s a rhythm. Success comes from building a life that matches your principles. It’s not a one-time win—it’s what happens when your work, your relationships, and your impact stay aligned over time. If you can find that rhythm, you’re already successful.
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