Byline: Daniel Fusch Byline: Daniel Fusch When finance expert Syed Faiz moved to the United States, he had big hopes and a definite plan in mind. Studying computer science in Silicon Valley during the COVID-19 tech boom felt to him like the ideal opportunity to launch a career in tech. “I’d always pictured myself becoming a product manager,” he recalls, “someone who connects the dots between business, technology, and people, instead of just sitting behind a screen writing code.” However, as for many people during the pandemic, things didn’t go quite as planned. The job market tightened, large tech companies experienced frequent layoffs, and Faiz found himself in the nearly impossible position of trying to break into product management with only an undergraduate degree under his belt and little hands-on experience. “I had to rethink everything,” he recalls. “That’s when I decided to pivot.” Having expected to leap into the tech world, he suddenly found himself in the automotive industry. One Door Closes, Another Opens When Faiz took an entry-level data role at Swickard Management Company, a firm specializing in automotive sales and finance, what felt at first like a painful drift away from his dream turned out to be the very opportunity he needed. “That job taught me so much,” he shares. “Even though my title was different, I was doing a lot of what product managers do.” In fact, Faiz’s job was far more direct and hands-on than he had expected. He wasn’t sitting behind a computer all day; instead, he connected closely with the people whose work keeps the company running. He engaged with clients to understand their difficulties and investigate solutions, then collaborated with the business team to share insights, establish objectives, and determine necessary steps to sustain the company’s growth. In his first year in that role, Faiz was able to boost sales and closing rates to 28%, the highest the company had ever seen at its Oakland location. That meant the addition of roughly $125,000 in net profit. This early success led to his promotion to Finance Manager, where he worked diligently to streamline transaction processes, increasing per-transaction profitability by $2,650. “Over time, that added up to an additional $100,000 in pure profit for the business,” Faiz explains. Beyond process improvements, Faiz also looked outward, connecting financial strategy with real-world market forces. When federal tax credits for new and used vehicles were set to expire and tariffs threatened to raise costs across the automotive industry, he used those shifts to drive urgency among buyers. By positioning his offers with a clear “buy now before costs increase” message, he helped customers see the advantage of acting sooner rather than later. The result was stronger sales activity and boosted profitability at a time when many dealerships were slowing down. For Faiz, this became a defining strength: not just analyzing numbers, but tying them to market conditions and customer behavior to create measurable business impact. What Faiz is most proud of is the work that produced those numbers. He quickly earned the trust of his team and made a tangible impact in his new role. Today, he is responsible for maximizing profit while making sure transaction processes are compliant with all federal and state laws. He manages transactions worth more than $2 million per month. Staying Fearless in the Face of Change The pandemic forced many people to pivot quickly. The key is to pivot fearlessly. “Life rarely goes exactly the way you expect,” Faiz shares. “Sometimes, the unexpected paths turn out to be the most rewarding. Like a lot of people, I was nervous about change. I worried that stepping into something so different would set me back. Instead, I ended up growing more, both professionally and financially, than I ever could have if I’d stayed in my comfort zone. Embracing change is what helped me move forward, and I think it’s often the key to finding success on your own terms.” His story demonstrates that you don’t always need a straight path to get where you want to go. As Syed Faiz discovered, resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to try the unexpected can help you open doors you never knew existed. Lessons from Syed Faiz: Pivoting with Confidence If there is one lesson from Syed Faiz’s journey, it’s that being open to new ideas and willing to adjust can lead to success. Whether facing unexpected obstacles or a career change, remember that every experience can lead to growth and open new doors. Pivot fearlessly, and you may find a way to success in places you never expected.

This story contains new, firsthand information uncovered by the writer.

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Syed Faiz’s Path to Success: Fearless Pivoting in Uncertain Times

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