East Islip students receive fiscal and career advice from young businessman
ISLIP TERRACE – Bryan Sims understands what it is like to not have money. At 19 he set out to change that reality by founding brass|MEDIA Inc., a multimedia corporation.

As a result, he is now one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the country. Somewhere along the way, while he was achieving financial success, he understood something else: having money is so much better.

And now the Oregon native is sharing his methods of success with his peers through the monthly magazine, brass: young today rich tomorrow, geared toward high school students. The magazine offers valuable information for achieving wealth and how to increase it exponentially.

He recently began taking his methods on the road to various high schools across the country. Last week, Sims, who is now 23, addressed students at East Islip High Schools as part of an inaugural five-stop New York tour.

The tours promote the magazine that reaches 50,000 students in the state and 350,000 nationwide. Its distribution is financed in part by credit unions such as MCU (Municipal Credit Union) and Bethpage Federal Credit Union, locally.

Linda Armyn, vice-president of the Bethpage Federal Credit Union, attended the student assembly. "We want to connect with our younger members and Bryan has an inspirational message for them," she said.

The event was held in conjunction with the school's Cents and Sensibility Fair in recognition of Financial Literacy Month. It was organized by Izzy Malin, East Islip District Director of Careers and Student Services. "I was interested in [Sims] ideas," Malin said. "I thought this was something our students would enjoy [hearing] about."

Sims youth and vitality excited his audience who broke out in applause as he delivered his message. That message focused on the importance of planning for the future by making the right investments early in life. And he encouraged his young listeners to avoid financial pitfalls that could hurt a person's credit and credibility.

"Watch out for credit cards," he warned. "You'll sign your life away [with them]."

He went on to explain how finance charges associated with credit cards deepen the debt over a period of time, which is something those companies expect to occur. "Don't be stupid and allow them to take advantage of you," he added.

He also advised the kids to avoid buying new, expensive cars that quickly lose value. "I drive a Dodge Stratus," he said. "It's not a cool car."

Instead, Sims told the students to invest in long-range investments such as real-estate. "Buy a house as fast as you can," he noted. "Build your own wealth instead of someone else's. The idea is to let your money work for you."

The denim-clad speaker's words hit a cord with seniors, Brianne Asterita and Kristen Anderson. "I buy too many clothes," Anderson said chuckling, and added that she would think better of overspending in the future."

Asterita gleaned a new philosophy on life. "I learned [from Sims] that anything is possible and you should [reach] for your goals in life."

Sims' philosophy on life was formed when a car accident altered his childhood experience. His mother sustained back injuries that resulted in hefty bills for which insurance companies would not pay.

"I saw my parents going to court for medical bills," he explained. And then, as a result of Sept. 11, his dad lost his job. Those two experiences sealed a commitment.

While still a college student, he pursued more than 200 investors with his method of teaching teens and young adults how to become independently wealthy.

And just when his scholarship money ran out and he was forced to leave college with on $5.76 left in his bank account, eight brave investors including farmers and bus drivers, stepped up the plate.

The eight individuals made a good investment too because brass|MEDIA, Inc. is now a multi-million dollar company that employs 25 people, including Sims' father. "It's been pretty [amazing]," he said regarding his success. "Sometimes it blows my mind. But I'm starting to get used to it."

However, Sims said he gets just as much satisfaction from helping others to do the same. "The students I enjoy the most are those that get something out of this," he said. "I [want] to make a difference in their lives."

His life changing advice includes learning how to turn a hobby into cash. "Find something you love and figure out a way of making money doing it," he said.

Ultimately though, he added that success is also meant to be shared. "Give something back along the way," he urged his audience.

And that is something he seems to be having a very good time doing as well. For more information about the magazine and Sims' program, visit www.brassmedia.com.