DES MOINES, Iowa — Money is a hard topic to talk about and it's one of the biggest stressors the average American has day-to-day.
But, one Iowa man has found a way to help others tackle those issues using his own life story.
Dave Won's message has resonated with so many people that he's now taking that to a TED Talks stage on Friday, Feb. 15 at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
"It's a stress that's present that's just not being addressed appropriately," Won said.
When Won is behind the keyboard crafting a post for social media, it's a story.
"The pain I experienced growing up was something I didn't want to experience again when I got older," he said.
His stories aren't for likes or clicks, but stories with intent and purpose.
"I'm here to tell people that they're not bad with money and that they're not alone in their money struggles and money pain," he added.
He's been the man behind Budget Captain for the last eight years. As a money coach, he works with small to medium businesses in several states, getting people on the right path and a healthy mindset when it comes to money.
"Our insecurities, our successes … everything is shown through money whether we like it or not. I just want people to know that you're not bad with money and you have the potential to reach and hit your financial goals and live a life filled with contentment, purpose, and intentionality," Won explained.
He champions that message behind his business, all lessons learned through childhood into his early adult years. The pain Won talks about, where he finds the connection between emotions and money, comes from his own life.
"My parents were immigrants from South Korea and it was just lots of fighting, lots of disagreements when it came to money so that motivated me to figure out a path where I didn't have to experience that pain ever again," he said.
For a while, Won thought he was good to go. He learned effective budgeting and during his 10-year United States Air Force career, even helped others around him. It was something he enjoyed doing.
Despite having the skills to budget in his life, the hardships weren't over.
"I suffered a huge panic attack in 2016 when I bought my first home. That event revealed lots of insecurities, a lot of fear that was underneath at a subconscious level that I just didn't know was there. Looking back, that's when I began to realize that the reason I had this subconscious fear was because of my upbringing and my childhood," he said.
After the Air Force and some time in corporate America, Won launched Budget Captain to help others reflect on their life journey and find their way back to addressing the root of those money issues.
"A lot of people will just go through their day-to-day without really realizing what is actually holding them back and when people are awakened to it, it's really awesome to see their progress," he said. "There's something that is happening at the subconscious level, which we aren't even really aware about what needs to be addressed in order for us to be fully unlocked from those chains so we could actually realize our full potential when it comes to money."
And, as he’s learned, getting himself on the right path with his finances also led him right back home.
“At first I was like ‘Man, why couldn’t they just figure it out and teach us?’ They did the best they could and understanding that part alone, naturally, should build up a lot of compassion and empathy for your parents," he said. "And so it’s like, alright, they did the best they could. I am now aware of that reality and so it’s up to me to take that knowledge and do something with it. Once you actually do something with it, it’s power."
Won will speak in front of about 100 audience members at Valparaiso University, sharing his story and his advice as a money coach.
He said what he hopes people take away from it, especially those who are from immigrant families like his, is anyone can find their way to financial happiness. He doesn't believe anyone is naturally "bad with money", but they just need the tools and education.
Won wants people to feel like he's holding their hands when he's on the TED Talks stage, navigating them through the emotional journey with money.
Once TED Talks posts Won's full speech, Local 5 News will update this story with a link to the video.