Meet Siliang Wang | Photographer, Table Tennis Coach, vacation rental manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Siliang Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Siliang, is there something you believe many others might not?
Since childhood, I have always heard people say that one should focus on doing one thing well, and persistence will lead to excellence. However, one day I realized that I didn’t possess the innate talent to excel in one thing better than others. I always had some deficiencies, which often brought me feelings of frustration. Consequently, I downsized my business and began diversifying my efforts into different ventures. Now, I simultaneously manage three different businesses, but each one only reaches about 60% of its industry’s potential. Yet, I don’t require 100% investment in each, so I can manage all three concurrently. Despite occasional setbacks in one business, the successes in others often boost my confidence. Hence, I believe that many people don’t necessarily need to excel in one thing or invest 100% effort into it.

In fact, striving for perfection in one thing may not always be the wisest choice. In a competitive business environment, diversifying efforts and managing multiple areas can reduce risks and increase returns. Just like in investment, diversifying portfolios can lower risks and improve long-term returns, similarly, diversifying business operations can have similar effects. Moreover, this diversified approach can provide individuals with broader experiences and skills in different fields, laying a more solid foundation for future development.

Furthermore, success doesn’t always hinge on doing one thing perfectly. In real life, time, resources, and personal capabilities are all limited. Sometimes, achieving only 60% of the industry standard is sufficient for success and can yield substantial returns. Therefore, for most people, the key is to find the right balance, seize opportunities, and progress steadily in different fields.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I used to be a professional table tennis player, and after retiring, I became a coach and managed a table tennis club. Initially, I started my business relying on my professional skills. However, as my business grew, I encountered obstacles that I couldn’t overcome. Yes, I couldn’t solve the problem, so I downsized and invested less energy. This freed up time for me to start another venture – wedding photography. Since the table tennis club primarily operated on weekdays, I could schedule wedding shoots on weekends. Wedding photography is my favorite job, as it allows me to capture the most important moments in people’s lives, bringing immense happiness. Gradually, I also learned not to devote all my energy to one business, allowing me to juggle different ventures. While neither industry saw me excel, both provided stable income, which gave me a great sense of achievement. Therefore, three years ago, I started another venture – managing short-term rentals. Engaging in different industries broadened my horizons and taught me more effective time management. So far, the income from running these three businesses has far exceeded what I earned from running the table tennis club full-time, and I spend less time doing so.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I’d take them on a drive along Highway 1, so they can experience the stunning beauty of the California coastline. In Santa Barbara, there are many excellent Mediterranean-style restaurants.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” has been a profound source of inspiration for me, offering invaluable insights that have reshaped my understanding of the world around me. Through its pages, I’ve learned to view financial matters, entrepreneurship, and personal development through a different lens. It has taught me the importance of financial literacy, asset accumulation, and the power of passive income streams. Moreover, it has instilled in me a mindset of abundance, encouraging me to seek opportunities and take calculated risks in pursuit of financial independence. Overall, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” has not only enriched my knowledge but also sparked a transformative journey towards achieving my financial goals and aspirations.

Website: https://www.siliangphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliang_wang/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/siliang.wang.1

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/siliang-photography-san-francisco

Image Credits
Siliang Wang