Embracing our Feminine in Finance

When I started my RIA 2 years ago, I really didn't know what journey I was embarking on. All I knew was I wanted to be on my own because I didn't want to be complianced to death by a broker/dealer or under quotas by an RIA. I wanted to be free to work with whoever I wanted, however I wanted. I know it was naive. I know it was a pipe's dream. And I was told as much to my face multiple times. So I went on LinkedIn and befriended every female advisor that would accept my connection. I wanted to be around women like me because I was alone and lonely.

I have been fortunate enough to have dozens of conversations with women across the financial industry and if you're reading this and I talked to you, I sincerely thank you. Speaking to these women was my lifeline and the reason I am still in financial services now. I am indebted to you all.

Now, before you leave the article and decide I'm against men, hear this: I see men's intention around inclusion, but intending to include women and actually allowing space for our femininity to shine, is not the same thing. Intending to bring on POC and LGBTQ+ members, and not allowing their uniqueness to shine is not really honoring who they are. Even recently, I continue to hear such sentiments, even as I speak to another woman who has had her spirit damaged by the treatment in the financial services industry.

This is what happens in male-dominated industries. There are rules that are created. Some spoken, some unspoken, about how business is done, how clients are handled, how revenue is created, and who is included in that journey. Some are literally spoken, like we only accept AUM fees for service, therefore, we cannot work with anyone under $500,000 liquid assets. Others are unspoken, like whispers about how "technical" her knowledge is around the water cooler. These messages are absorbed by women every day and we feel the pressure to silence our feminine natures, our true callings, and our desire to help people exactly where they are. We are told some clients are not profitable and we are spending too much time talking and we should focus more on our technical skills.

Then, what I've heard over and over again in the last two years is women lose themselves. We lose our fire and our vision and our femininity. We are told our instincts shouldn't be trusted so we silence the voices inside and learn to only trust our logical brain and not our heart. We push forward relentlessly to gain respect and approval from our colleagues, while still being passed over for a promotion and yet somehow we are always asked to decorate the office, get food, or plan the holiday party.

I didn't know it 2 years ago, but this is what Paradigm is for; this is why I opened my doors to accept other advisors to join. Because those of us who do not look like the typical advisor need a safe place to start our business. A place that celebrates our differences and encourages out of the box thinking. A firm that wants to work with the every day American, does business in a feminine way, and uses collaboration as the standard practice. This is what Paradigm stands for and I am proud to be supporting 7 other advisors who are impacting the world and serving clients at the highest level. I never imagined I would be in this position when I started the company 2 years ago, but I am thrilled to offer an umbrella and a structure for anyone who doesn't feel currently supported and still loves the financial industry. You do have a safe place to land, where you can be your truest self and guess what? Our clients are thrilled with the authenticity.

If you or anyone you know wants to be an advisor and is unhappy or considering a jump into independence and business ownership, I would be honored to talk to them.