For Bryan, the creator behind the popular 'Bryan Invest' finance platform, the world of stocks and assets was a foreign land for most of his life. His story, featured on the latest episode of the Money Talks podcast powered by Vanguard, is not one of privilege, but of a profound personal awakening that he now uses to empower a new generation of money-smart Australians.
A Childhood Without Financial Conversations
Bryan's family migrated from Myanmar to Australia when he was just seven years old. Money was perpetually tight, and the household operated in what he describes as "survival mode." The focus was squarely on covering basic necessities, with no bandwidth for discussions about savings, let alone investing.
"We had all the basic necessities but nothing more," Bryan recalls. "Words like investing or stocks weren't mentioned in our household." This environment shaped his early beliefs, leading him to assume that building wealth through markets was an exclusive club for the already wealthy. "I always thought it was for the people in suits in the movies," he said. "I didn't think it was for someone like me."
This mindset persisted even after he studied finance at university. He passed his exams but felt a disconnect, never applying the theories he learned to his own life, still viewing practical investing as out of reach.
The Wake-Up Call and Mindset Shift
The pivotal moment arrived in his mid-twenties. Despite earning a decent income, Bryan checked his bank account and realised his savings were stagnant. "I thought, 'how come my balance never increases?' That's when it hit me that I needed to get my life sorted," he explains. As an only child, he also felt a growing responsibility to provide for his ageing parents and a future family.
This catalyst drove him to self-educate. He devoured finance books, with Rich Dad, Poor Dad introducing the foundational concept of acquiring assets over liabilities. Armed with this new perspective, he took the leap: opening an online brokerage account and purchasing his first stock. "The world didn't end," he laughs. "It was actually pretty easy."
Becoming a 'Brother Figure' for Beginner Investors
While he discovered a new passion, Bryan hesitated to share it publicly. The final push came with the birth of his daughter. Fatherhood reframed his thinking about the future and ignited a desire to help other Australians overcome the same barriers he once faced.
Today, he is a full-time dad, everyday investor, and part-time content creator who demystifies investing for free. He positions himself as a "brother figure" to beginners, breaking down complex topics into simple, actionable steps. "Anyone in Australia can open an investment account," he asserts. "The hardest part is flipping your mindset."
His philosophy is grounded in the power of starting small and thinking long-term. "There's a limit to how much you can save, but no limit to how much you can earn. Little steps compound," he says. For parents, he is a strong advocate for early financial education, using tools like pocket money and piggy banks to teach his own children. He also invests for them using minor trust accounts, noting parents can delay transferring control if an 18-year-old isn't yet ready.
His drive stems from providing access to information he never had. "These videos are for my younger self," Bryan shares. "The kid who didn't know money. The young adult who was scared to make a mistake." While he may not have become the doctor his parents envisioned, he finds purpose in helping others, hoping they are proud of the path he has forged.
About the Money Talks Podcast: Hosted by Tim McMillan, Money Talks is a 7NEWS podcast powered by Vanguard. It features leading personal finance minds and Vanguard experts who provide practical insights to help Australians build financial confidence and freedom. The podcast encourages open and honest conversations about money, free from jargon.
