I don’t work harder because I’m a woman; I work harder because I know I’m making a difference and that inspires me.
I came into this industry fresh out of failing in my first business; a coffee shop on the beachfront. I was warned that it would be hard, but I loved the way people could connect in a place like a coffee shop. When I was offered the opportunity – I jumped in head first. From the moment I gasped for my first breath it felt like I was treading water the whole time, right up until I had to admit that the closed sign on my custom-stained Kentucky 6-paneled entrance door would never again be flipped back to open. Our croissants, coffee and juices were top-notch, but sometimes no matter how hard you try – the timing is wrong.
Having funneled all of my savings into the Surfer’s Shack, I saw an advert for an opportunity where I could grow my own business with nothing but a laptop, cellphone, car and high school education. I was overqualified and in overdraft… so I took another dive. This is how so many start out in the financial planning industry.
Hoping to make a real difference, I realized that I wasn’t in the right place for the conversations that I really wanted to have. I love my clients as much as (I believe…) they love me, but feeling the pressure to make a sale in every meeting (including very first meeting!) made me wonder who was really benefitting from our conversations.
I stepped out of the pool – no more diving. I needed to make a powerful strategic choice that required some deep reflection and taking on some tough conversations in my own head. I became the best thing I felt the industry could offer me and my clients: a lifestyle financial planner.
I’m fulfilled in this space. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
Today I met a wonderful young woman at Tasha’s. Before our meeting I searched for her online so that I could get to know her a little better and start to get a feel for whether or not we would be a good fit. Having walked a journey that I can see she is currently on – I knew there was a good chance that we would be.
I hope she did the same – I’m proud of my website and my online brand, it speaks to my heart for helping my clients and making a difference.
I realize that as a woman we often have to work harder to prove ourselves in a man’s world – so I’m acutely aware of some of the anxiety and worries that she might be feeling. I chose a comfortable venue and got there early so that she wouldn’t sit alone. We chatted about life – not money; how can we even talk about money if we don’t have a context and a purpose of that money?
Cash will be tight for her, but if she sees the value I know she will make it a priority.
I received a text from her this evening – she wants to see me again.
