Devon Inman

Financial Advisor
Principal Financial Group
AGE: 34

What is the best advice you ever received

From a business perspective, the Thomas Sowell quote: “There are no solutions, only trade-offs.” From a personal side, my grandmother was fond of the adage, “No good deed goes unpunished,” but she had a lovely take on it. To her, the expression was a reminder to think about your motives. “Will you feel persecuted or slighted if you don’t get the adulation or thanks you think you deserve? If so, your motives are wrong, and you won’t get what you wanted out of it.”

What would most people be surprised to learn about you?

I was a studio musician for a very brief period. That is to say, about five hours. At that point all parties involved decided I should go to college.

How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life?

Elizabeth and I have been blessed to do what we love for careers. Both our careers involve lots of reading and research. The trick is to do your reading with lakes, beaches and mountains in view as much as possible.

If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support?

The majority would go to direct cash transfer charities like GiveDirectly. After that, I’d use a portion to start a scholarship to UNC, in honor of my mother, followed by Rotary International’s Polio eradication program. Of course, Elder Services in Johnson County and Horizons in Linn County are always on my list.