Q: What did you do before coming to Edward Jones?
A: I was in bank brokerage services, and then I joined Edward Jones for three years. I really enjoyed working at Edward Jones. I was recruited by another brokerage firm that I thought would offer more opportunities for me and my family, so I joined them – only to realize that Edward Jones really was the best place to be. I decided to return two years ago, and I'm very happy with the decision that I made. Q: What drew you to Edward Jones?
A: I have always liked the independence that Financial Advisors have at Edward Jones. I have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I love the fact that my office is treated as my own business. With the other firm I worked for, I had a lot of latitude and a lot of freedom, but I still felt as though I was in someone else’s shop. Each time I passed the Edward Jones offices, I would miss it; my heart would go pitter-patter. Eventually, an opportunity presented itself, and the regional leader contacted me and said, “You did a fabulous job for us before. Would you consider returning?” I'm back, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity. Q: Talk a little about the support you get from Edward Jones.
A: The support that you have from people at Edward Jones is tremendous. Each sector that you go through, someone picks you up to work with you closely, so you don’t feel you’re by yourself. The other Financial Advisors are very supportive. Whatever they can do to help you, they certainly will do. It’s a feeling of camaraderie here at Edward Jones, not competitiveness. And there’s a feeling, also, of unison, whatever it takes to make sure that the Financial Advisor has every tool that they need to be successful is given to us. When you’re working in an environment filled with people who recognize your ability, respect you, and support you, you want to do the best you possibly can. That means not only are you succeeding, but also your family’s thriving from it, the company’s thriving from it – which creates a happy environment. When everyone around you is happy, you’re happy, and you’ll excel even further and do the best you can. Q: What kind of opportunity do women have at Edward Jones?
A: For women interested in joining Edward Jones, I say, "go for it." It’s an environment that lets you be who you are. You’ll feel that you have value, that you’re important and that you have an opportunity to contribute. Don't let your gender hold you back; if anything, we need more women in this industry. Q: Talk a little about the spirit of volunteerism at Edward Jones. How have you been involved?
A: I have volunteered to speak on the subject of inclusion to a variety of individuals from all kinds of backgrounds. Giving back in any way you can and sharing your talents is a key part of the Edward Jones culture. That’s the foundation of how Edward Jones has been built, and that’s what we continue to do. But absolutely, inclusion is something we’re focusing on. Q: How does Edward Jones handle diversity and inclusion?
A: Edward Jones is very genuine about inclusion. In fact, the firm has hosted minorities in St. Louis to discuss how Edward Jones can attract more people of color, and help foster their success. And that says a lot. This is a primarily male-dominated industry that lacks women and minorities. So for Edward Jones to take the inclusion step, I salute them greatly. Q: So you see diversity as a strength at Edward Jones?
A: I believe that Edward Jones sees the strength of diversity and inclusion for everyone because the more we learn from each other, the more that we realize that even though we may be different, we’re really the same. Sometimes we take a different path to get to where we want to go. The fact that you learn by having other people of other nationalities, of other races together, only enhances the value of who we are, where we’re going, and what we’re going to be. Q: What value do you place on your BOA?
A: For Edward Jones to provide Financial Advisors with our own personal assistant says a lot about the firm, because they want us to succeed. One of the things they teach you in training is that your purpose as a Financial Advisor is to build relationships to make the sales and to bring the business in – not to get bogged down in paperwork. Through my years of experience and time at another firm, I noticed that there's a tendency to spend so much time doing paperwork that you really can’t do what you’re there to do. Edward Jones recognized that problem a long time ago, and that’s why we have the single broker office, and it’s wonderful. My clients know when they come in that I take care of their investments, and my BOA takes care of all the operations. Because we are a two-person team, you have to treat your BOA as your partner. And when you have that person as your partner, you both have stakes in the business because you want it to succeed. And when you succeed, you both thrive; you’re successful. Q: What are the benefits of living and working in the same community?
A: One of the benefits of having your own Edward Jones branch office is that you can have your office in your hometown. When I worked at another firm, most of the people were commuting anywhere from 45 minutes to 90 minutes to get to the office. And there’s a wonderful benefit to know that when you get up in the morning, you’re within about 10 minutes of your office. Not only that, but you’re in your own hometown, where you know the people, and they know you. You become Ms. or Mr. Edward Jones in your community and usually you’ll find in some of the smaller towns that there’s no competition, which means you become the brokerage firm. Think about that for a moment; and think about the value that it adds to your business when you know that you’re going to see familiar faces – whether it’s at church, in the grocery store, at your daughter’s recital or your son’s basketball game. Think about the impact of knowing that you’re one of them, and how quickly a rapport is built. Q: Why do you get up in the morning?
A: I get up knowing that I’m working for what I believe to be the best financial services firm in America. And I’m not saying that to pacify the company or to make it seem like I’m tooting someone’s horn. That’s how I feel. When you wake up in the morning and you know you’re going to your own office, with your own schedule, you know that you’re making a significant impact in someone’s life. You know that, based on a conversation you had with someone yesterday, that you’ve made a difference; you found a way to make something happen – you can’t put a price tag on that. Q: How important is it that Edward Jones is a partnership?
A: Partnership is something that’s extremely valuable here at Edward Jones, and it’s something that we all strive for. With partnership, you own a piece of the firm – and the returns that go along with ownership. When you add up all your commissions, your diversification trip values, your profit sharing, your partnership and your trimester bonuses – it is very possible that you grow not from receiving simply your commission, but you have the opportunity to earn up to almost 70% of what you’ve earned each year as your business grows.
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