As a financial advisor, they say our primary goal is helping clients navigate the twists and turns of life, and helping develop the roadmap to guide our clients. A lot of times, we as advisors forget to look back at our own map and think “WOW, what a journey!” and what a journey it has been for me and my staff. I often joke that my road has not been consistent for longer than any 2 year period, but, with a few white-knuckle grips, we’ve persevered!
I started in the business at 23 years old in April 2011, fresh out of college, unemployed, and as green as they come. I first wanted to be an actor/dancer in college, but worked for my dad for 12 years at a RadioShack we owned here in town, which closed in 2010. Soon after, I reached out to my uncle, Frank Maynerich, who had been with ICA since 1999, and asked him if he had room for “someone to file paperwork for some extra cash” (My family says I’ve never had a real boss having only worked for family). As an avid theater buff, and dreamed of being on stage in my future, but after sitting in my uncle’s office for 1 month, I was hooked and asked him what I needed to do to become a financial advisor.
In my practice, I often describe risk like driving a car, and advise clients that pulling off the road during a blizzard is not a good risk management strategy. I am thankful I have taken my own advice! To say success can be built from tragedy hits home particularly for me and my staff. At my start in 2011, Uncle Frank purchased 2 books of business to add to his own growing practice. He was one of the first pilots of the virtual admin program in that time as well. Then, in December 2012, one month before passing my Series 66, my Aunt Nickie (Frank’s wife) passed away after 2 months of fighting cancer. It was a trial by fire as he was out of the office handling personal affairs for a few months, and I was trusted to run the office and get to know our clients. Six months later, we had negotiated a separation from being a bank advisor to a full independent office and moving to a new location June 1, 2013. However, things changed dramatically, and August 13, 2013, Uncle Frank and his youngest son Paul were killed in an auto accident.
I’ll always remember walking into my office and staring at the computer in my uncle’s chair thinking, “What am I going to do now?” Here I am, 25 years old, licensed for only 8 months, in a new office, wondering where to turn. Greg Gunderson and Brett Bengston (I will forever be thankful) flew in to handle the day-to-day and fielding many concerned client calls, allowing me to be with family. On their last day, they asked if I was up for the challenge to continue it alone. I had $3000 to my name, a loan application, and a staff who stood by my side (and worked for back-pay for a few months – the true heroes!). With a double-handed-white-knuckle grip, we persevered!
“We don't develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” I have grown-up a lot in the last 8 years of my life. Having weathered many storms in my recent past, I’ve found keeping a tight relationship with clients, staff, and my advisor family in the ICAG is crucial to do well in this industry. Upon writing this article, my road has taken a sharp left and I am searching for a new in-office assistant as Elizabeth Grider (after 15 years in the industry) has left to pursue a new career in health coaching. My office now consists of 2 virtual assistants (Michelle Nieuwsma -2011 and Teresa Hettinger -2018) and 2 summer interns (Cicely Leonetti and Tommy Sagins). I’ve achieved my CFP® designation this year and currently manage over 1000 clients across 22 states in 2 office locations. Our main branch is located in Virden, IL (a small town of around 2500 people), and a satellite location in Charleston IL.
In the financial world, I pride myself on making investments as easily understood as possible. My clients like to keep things simple, and we do our best to do so. I have used my experiences to help clients stay calm in the worst of times, and to remember to celebrate the little successes. In the end, it is all about the destination, and not everyone wants to ask for directions. If there is an issue, large or small, it’s not about how bad it seems today, but what we do to make sure we get to tomorrow. As an advisor, I take the most pride in seeing my clients get to their destinations. The first seminar I sponsored after the passing of my uncle, I looked at my assistant and said, “It is amazing that all of these people in this room are here because they trust us, they need us, and they rely on us. That is the most powerful feeling in the entire world. We are the ones who help them pursue success.”
As mentioned before, I help spice up my creative side in the arts community. I am a tap dance instructor in Springfield, IL, and an avid theater volunteer, heavily involved in the community since 2002. I’ve performed, choreographed, and directed many productions in the area. Often times, my evenings are booked as much as my work-day! The photos are from a production of Mary Poppins (played as Bert) and a tap class for my younger students. It is a thrill to be a part of the community, and to get to know people of all walks of life. I thrive on helping my community and clients, young and old, understand where they are going, how best we can get there, and provide a little bit of entertainment along the way!