What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
One of the most challenging aspects of being a financial advisor is counseling our clients during stock market corrections, like we’re experiencing with this global pandemic. The future can be gloomy and outright scary. It’s easy to understand why clients might want to make rash decisions. The reason we create financial plans and have diversified portfolios is to weather storms like this. It’s our job to hold our clients’ hands in these difficult times and let them know that it’ll be OK.
At the same time, this is also one of the most rewarding aspects. It’s a great feeling knowing that we are truly adding value to our clients’ lives by making smart financial decisions and taking advantage of certain opportunities or conversely, avoiding costly mistakes that will make a substantial impact in their lives. As a dedicated financial advisor, it’s nice to celebrate the good times, but where we earn our stripes are difficult times like we are experiencing right now.
It’s also rewarding to work for a firm that understands the need to put clients first. We understand one person can’t do everything and I really respect the team we have in place in Madison.
Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
I have great admiration for people who treat others with decency and respect and those who have a positive attitude and focus on solutions instead of complaining about problems. I admire a good work ethic and people that don’t think anyone or any task is beneath them. Most of these principles I’ve learned from my parents, teachers, and colleagues along the way, and I’m grateful to have learned so much from so many.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
As a director, private wealth advisor with BMO Private Bank, I believe I’m currently at the high point of my career. That being said, I am also proud of my involvement with two fantastic local nonprofits, Madison Children’s Museum and United Way of Dane County. Madison Children’s Museum connects children with their families, their communities, and the world beyond through discovery learning and creative play, and I feel blessed to be a part of their development committee. United Way is seeking to create a Dane County where everyone can succeed in school, work, and life by uniting the community to achieve measurable results and change lives. How could you not be proud to be a part of these organizations making such an impact on the community?
Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Read, read, and read. There is so much information available out there. It’s impossible to consume it all in a lifetime. All successful people I’ve come across in business have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and read as much as they can. The other would be to get out and network as much as possible. Connections are everything in this world. You never know where one simple conversation might lead you.
What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
As someone who grew up and spent most of my life in the New York City area, I can’t begin to describe how much Dane County has going. My family and I moved here in October 2018. We love the food, sports, schools, affordability, lakes, and other outdoor activities. It’s also nice to be able to get anywhere in Madison within a 20-minute drive. The people here are so friendly and welcoming.
Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I may be talking finance and wearing a suit five days a week, but come Saturday, I turn into Coach Steve and help coach my 3- and 5-year-old’s soccer teams. It’s not the coaching that’s a surprise but how much I get into it. I have found that keeping their attention at these young ages means I’ve got to be animated and silly, and I deliver!
What are your guilty pleasures?
I really enjoy cooking for my family. Whether that’s firing up the grill, trying something new, or Saturday pancakes for my kids, I like it all. My specialty is a homemade Bolognese sauce from scratch, which I make on most Sundays. I like to make minor tweaks to it every week and see if I can make it just a tad bit better. It’s getting the family together that I love and if I get their seal of approval, it makes my day.
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