Sue Tirukonda

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?

I am comfortable with who I am.  Being an immigrant, I always tried to balance my Indian heritage with American culture.  When I was young, they seemed to clash.  At home, my parents expected me to be Indian – speak the language and follow our traditions.  With my friends, I could listen to rock music, wear make-up, and talk about boys.  When raising my children, I felt the same clash – was I instilling our culture and values while still allowing them the freedom to be who they are?  I have learned that both can coexist, that I don’t have to choose a side, to take the best of both cultures, and not apologize for being both Indian and American.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?
When I was in 3rd grade, we moved to the suburbs of Chicago.  It was the first time I experienced discrimination.  Some of the kids bullied my brother and me, called us names, and tried to run us down with their bicycles.  I was really scared and hurt.  I didn’t understand why they would say such things to me when I didn’t even know them.  So, I learned to stand up for myself and not let them or anyone intimidate me.  I learned to talk back, to find allies in teachers and bus drivers, and make friends so that we could stick up for each other.  It’s much harder to bully a group!  The fire and strength that incident created have stayed with me.    

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Oh gosh, that’s a tough question.  I feel like my greatest achievement still lies ahead of me.  I’m still building toward it.  But I am really proud that I went back to school and started my career as a financial planner when my oldest child was in middle school.  I took coursework at Wichita State to obtain the credits required to sit for the Certified Financial Planner exam.  I took classes on Saturdays so I could be a stay-at-home mom.  I passed the grueling exam on my first try and started my business in 2009.  My goal was to grow my practice so that I could fund my children’s college education without going into debt.  Many financial advisors fail within two years because starting a practice from scratch is hard.  My kids went through the East High IB program and were admitted into great (read expensive) schools.  With lots of hard work and long nights, I was able to put both of my children through college without going into debt. 

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

My husband and I love to travel.  We enjoy visiting family and friends, seeing new places, and experiencing other cultures.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My grandmother gave me a ring when I was 12 years old.  She raised me as a baby in India until I reunited with my parents at 5, so she is like another mother to me.  I am the first granddaughter in our family, and she wanted to give me something special when I came of age.  I actually got to design the ring!  She had a jeweler make it.  She loved the way it turned out so much that she had one made for all of her granddaughters, but mine is just a little different from the others since it was the first.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Trip to Iceland.  We went there as a family after my son graduated from college.  Iceland has extraordinary natural beauty!  It was an amazing trip, seeing so many waterfalls, hiking on a glacier, and eating delicious and unique meals.  We went in June when it was daylight for almost 24 hours.  We missed the Northern lights but loved the warm weather and green scenery!

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
This is a hard question.  Broadly, it is hanging out with people I love.  It’s hard to narrow it down much more than that.  And I know it’s perfect when my husband is ready to go home, but I’m not!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Trust your instincts and abilities.  You have what it takes to be successful.  Don’t worry, and don’t second-guess yourself.  Take it one day at a time, and keep working towards your goals.  You will get there, and it will be worth it.  Be present in the moment.  The time with your loved ones, especially the kids, is precious and fleeting.  Savor those times.  Hang out and be silly with them; the future will take care of itself.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN
Every job, role, experience, and person you meet has something to teach you.  Know that life is a series of lessons that are taught until you learn them.  If you make the same mistakes or feel stuck, stop and ask yourself:  what is the lesson here?  What should I do differently going forward to change my outcome and future?  You will meet all kinds of people – find good mentors – mirror their habits, and listen to their wisdom. 

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
I’ve had to work hard in my life, and I’m most proud of the fact that my mother taught us never to give up and to fight for the things we want.  Getting my Certified Financial Planner designation took me over three years of coursework and study.  The test was a day and a half with a 52% pass rate.  I kept going even though studying while balancing family obligations was hard.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
The Serenity Prayer.  God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change those things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Since we don’t have any family in Wichita, our friends are our family.  I am blessed to have wonderful friends who are very diverse, fun, funny, and, most of all, there for each other.  We may not see each other all the time, but if someone needs help, we come together, pitch in, and support each other.

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
I have calmed down – I don’t get angry like I used to.  My kids tell me I have this vein in my forehead that used to be visible when I got really mad.  Kids have a way of changing you.  They used to see that vein and stop in their tracks.  But when they got a little older, they would see that vein and start to laugh – which would, in turn, make me laugh.  It’s hard to stay mad when you’re laughing.  Now, if I start to get mad, I think of that vein and start laughing.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I have a hard time sitting still.  Even when I try to sit still, my brain is going ninety miles an hour about all the stuff I need to do.  I like being busy.  But as I age, the body can’t always deliver what the brain wants.  So, I need to learn to sit still, at least for a little while.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?
I hope future generations continue to value and celebrate our differences.  I hope we continue to have all kinds of food, dance, language, clothing, all the stuff.  I hope we keep old traditions and art forms alive.  I hope they cherish those things as they create new ones.  

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
Hanging out with our children.  Not as a parent telling them what to do but as friends.  They have grown into such amazing humans!  I enjoy talking to them and learning from their perspective.  We also look out for each other, which is so amazing when I think about it.  They want me to text when we get home from a trip – how cool is that?!

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
I’m calm under pressure.  Sometimes, you don’t get an ideal situation and must deal with the cards you’re dealt.  In several leadership roles, I’ve had to pivot because the norm was impossible.  I remember when I was president of the Rotary Club of Wichita.  It was during Covid, and our Club could not meet in person.  We went on Zoom, organized small group lunches where we could safely distance ourselves, and provided financial relief to Club members experiencing financial hardship.  We completely restructured our program and community service approach.  We took advantage of national speakers with our virtual format.  Thankfully, we managed to keep our membership level strong and our finances stable.  I’m not afraid of change or trying something new and will often try to look at something from different angles to find the best solution.

DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
Yes!  I have more aches and pains, and I can’t run like I used to, but I also can take things in stride.  I worry less and enjoy more quiet.

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
Right now.  I feel like I’m doing what I’m meant to do.  I’ve always had a strong desire to help people.  I wanted to spend my time doing something that matters.  Helping my clients reach their financial goals, walk with them as they go through life’s ups and downs, and educate them on insurance, taxes, and estate planning has been very rewarding! It’s not easy, and sometimes it’s really hard, but that challenge makes me better.  I feel like my past jobs, roles, and experiences have shaped me for this one.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
It’s been an absolute pleasure to do this project!  Thank you, Yvette, for doing this, making us feel pampered and beautiful, making us feel seen and valued.  You are a gem!