Each month Vanderbilt Financial Group features an Advisor in the Vanderbilt family who exhibits the VFG values of Gratitude, Respect, Innovation, Teamwork and Trust on a consistent basis. These values impact their work with clients and VFG staff, and ultimately pushes for an excellence in their business practices that is unparalleled and incredibly unique. Beyond high-level producers, these Financial Professionals offer sage advice and best practices for boosting your business on your terms according to your values.
Having been licensed since 2006, my inspiration for embarking on a career in financial services was due to my grandmother being taken advantage of, with her life savings being stolen, by an unscrupulous advisor. As my grandmother was getting up in age, she would consistently talk about how her life would be different if she had that money. After being laid off from the telecommunications industry, I decided to make a difference in the lives of people from a financial standpoint. Using one of my grandmother’s lessons of life, “when you know better, you do better”, I decided to become securities licensed as a financial advisor to ensure no one that I come in contact with would be taken advantage of financially. Many people are told to save for a rainy day, but just aren’t taught what that looks like. I like to educate those that don’t “know better”.What are your favorite books and authors? How did they shape your thoughts when you first read their books and how do they continue to shape them?
Coming from a family of ministers, one of my philosophies in working with my clientele and potential clients is from a biblical standpoint. I treat others like I would like to be treated, with dignity and respect regardless of their financial knowledge level. The second comes from my experience as a runner & gym instructor for many of the same principles apply. No one gets in good physical shape in one week, just like no one gets in good financial shape in one week. Both physical and fiscal fitness have better/lasting results when done over time. In financial matters, I like to compare it to a marathon. It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish. There will be some hills up and down, there will be some pain, but don’t give up! Furthermore, I believe there is a difference between a client and a customer. A client is someone that you have ongoing communication and interaction with, or relationship based. A customer is someone that you provide a temporary product or service to and is only transaction based. The people that I do business with are clients!
What would you say are the areas your practice specializes in?
In my practice, I work with those individuals that are in pre-retirement and those that are retired already. It’s great to build portfolios for clients to support their desire to achieve their retirement goals. Everyone works hard for their money, but I want to give my client’s money a job working for them. It’s just as great to help people stay retired comfortably. This is probably the more important phase of working with clients as most people’s greatest fear is running out of money. It’s my responsibility to ensure them that they will be ok as long as they make sound financial decisions, especially in retirement.
that you take the time to listen to those you meet with. We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak. What are they really telling you? Most are saying to not only make them money with their investments, but let them know they are not alone on their financial journey. Let them know you will be there every step of the way. Keep it plain and simple, don’t confuse them with industry jargon just to prove you know more than them. Last but certainly not least, always be honest with them!
If you could meet one famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Vanderbilt Financial Group is the marketing name for Vanderbilt Securities, LLC and its affiliates.
Securities offered through Vanderbilt Securities, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPC. Registered with MSRB.
Clearing agent: Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions
Advisory Services offered through Vanderbilt Advisory Services & Consolidated Portfolio Review. Clearing agents: Fidelity
Clearing & Custody Solutions, Charles Schwab & TD Ameritrade
Supervising Office: 125 Froehlich Farm Blvd, Woodbury, NY 11797 • 631-845-5100
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