From Tradition to Triumph: The Journey of Nelson Soh

I first met Nelson Soh during my franchise business days. He was a young man full of ambition and ideas, referred to us because he wanted to combine his passion for fitness and accounting—a bold departure from the traditional CPA career path. It wasn’t about following the status quo for Nelson; it was about carving out a space where his passion, purpose and skills could intersect.

Right from the start, Nelson made an immediate impact. In his first year with us, he uncovered over 11% in expense savings, followed by another 9% in the second year. But the challenge he faced was financial. Pursuing a non-traditional CPA pathway didn’t come with the typical remuneration of a standard accounting career. When he sought my advice, I gave him the same guidance I’ve shared with many young people:

“You can climb the corporate ladder for immediate gratification, or you can triangulate your passion, purpose and skillset to carve out your own niche. It takes longer, but it’s infinitely more fulfilling.”

Nelson took those words to heart. However, at the end of his contract, he secured a role with one of the largest airline carriers in the world, working as a CPA. We kept in touch because, as I’ve learned, staying connected with bright, driven people like Nelson often leads to great things. Sure enough, he eventually reached out to me, expressing his restlessness. The day-to-day grind, while stable, wasn’t enough. He knew he had more to offer.

As fate would have it, a former client approached me for business advice. Some of their questions were beyond my expertise, so I called Nelson to see if he’d be interested in joining a boutique start-up focused on providing financial support to businesses. Though cautious, Nelson agreed—on the condition that this would remain a side hustle while he maintained the stability of his corporate role.

And so, we began a new journey together, the journey of? uncertainty of entrepreneurship—a path that wasn’t inherently part of Nelson’s professional or cultural DNA. His impact was immediate. For our first client, we helped drive a 92% increase in gross profits over a single year. Yes, the timing (amid COVID) played a role, but Nelson’s meticulous financial strategies sealed the deal.

Nelson’s growth extended beyond numbers. When an opportunity arose to co-author a book, Life Literacy: Real Life Knowledge and Resources for the Next Generation, Nelson didn’t hesitate. Published by Morgan James, the book allowed him to share his insights with a wider audience, even becoming a core piece of college curriculum.?

Then came the TEDx Granville Heights stage in December 2022. Although reluctant at first, Nelson took the leap, delivering a talk titled Financial Literacy and the Social Media Generation. That talk has since garnered nearly 200,000 organic views, proving to be a pivotal moment in his journey.

Inspired and aligned with his ultimate aspirations, Nelson left the corporate world behind to become a financial entrepreneur. He created financial literacy courses, built a virtual team and began leading fractional financial support services. Today, in our fourth year of business, Nelson has grown our monthly recurring revenue (MRR) to over $20,000, firmly establishing himself as a leader in the financial entrepreneurship space.

This journey is not the road most traveled. It’s a story of decisions, sacrifice, trust and relentless belief—in himself, his family and friends and his teammates. Through it all, Nelson continues to show up where many others have bowed out. It’s no surprise, then, that Nelson Soh has been recognized with CPA BC’s Early Achievement Award, a well-deserved honor for a bright young professional whose journey is only just beginning.

Congratulations, Nelson. Your future is as inspiring as your past.

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