The benefits of taking a break

Published 6/10/2016 in The Maryland Daily Record I read an article about a CEO who takes off work every Friday to get away from the office and open his mind to new ideas. My first reaction was to imagine that this CEO lives in the Pacific Northwest and is likely an avid extreme sports enthusiast. It turns out I was dead wrong. This CEO actually lives in a metropolitan area. On these days off, while he may enjoy a long bike ride in the winding hills outside the city where he lives, he also takes time to do things in…

How to hire a financial adviser

Published 5/6/2016 in The Maryland Daily Record Hiring a financial adviser is a very important decision, one that has grown ever more complicated. Knowing the different aspects that go into selecting a financial planner, adviser, broker, consultant, agent, salesperson, shark, order taker … has the potential to be incredibly valuable yet also dangerous if an unwise choice is made. The confusion of who does what in such a vast industry has caused some to feel overwhelmed by the mega-mart variety of options. Banks, brokerage firms, insurance agencies, do-it-yourself firms, full-service companies – there are more options today than ever before.…

A woman business owner finds getting financing still a battle

Published 4/8/2016 in The Maryland Daily Record I have been a retail customer of a large bank since 1997 and became a business banking customer of the same bank since starting my business in 2009. As a new startup, I was able to establish a working line of credit soon after, which turned out to be a tremendous asset. This line has allowed me to smooth out the timing of our income stream and better manage the cash flow needs of the business. Recently, the term of the line of credit expired and I had to reapply for a new…

What’s different about advising women?

Published 3/11/2016 in The Maryland Daily Record I’m a third-generation Certified Financial Planner. I got an early start in the industry as a “financial consultant” at a major financial services firm. My dad, who retired in 2010 after 45 years in the industry, was my greatest champion in pursuing this career. In February I passed my 19th anniversary in the profession, and someone told me recently that I am still too young to put in front of certain clients … what a compliment! During the time that I worked at the big investment firm, I thought about starting my own…

How to get financially fit in 2016

Published 1/8/2016 in The Maryland Daily Record As we begin 2016, I am starting off the year with a Q&A from recent conversations we’ve had with clients who are preparing to start the new year off with a focus on financial fitness. Q: What are the “need-to-know” facts about my financial life? A: These are five important financial questions you should be asking yourself or your spouse so when you need it, you know where to turn: Who do I call? Similar to the list most parents keep in case of emergency (cell phone numbers, pediatrician, fire, police) keep an…

An open letter to Tony Robbins

Published 12/13/2015 in The Maryland Daily Record Dear Tony, It would take a great deal for me to ever imagine a time that I would be writing you a letter to share my disappointment in anything you have spoken, written, shared or inspired. For years, it is your wisdom that I have turned back to as a reminder and guide. That anything is possible when we decide what exactly it is that we want. That all of the resources needed, are already right here, available, within ourselves. Your motivating words were there for me during life’s most critical, turning point…

In Search of the Perfect Office

Published 8/13/2015 in The Maryland Daily Record It was brought to my attention recently that, as a growing business, our thriving company has outgrown its office space. My first reaction was to be defensive, as though I couldn’t have possibly allowed my group to work in such unworkable conditions. This observation though, by a well-meaning friend caused me to stop and look around for the first time in a while. So consumed are we in the actual work and feeling too short of time for reflection, it had not occurred to me how cramped we are and what good sports…

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