Bell Tower Advisors, LLC
Chagrin Falls, Ohio

For almost a decade, I thought seriously about opening a women-focused financial advisory practice, but a steady-paying job was hard to give up as a single mom with two young daughters. A few years ago, however, I knew it was time, after a close high school friend died of cancer after a long and valiant fight. She had encouraged me to “go for it”.

Employed in the financial industry since the early 80’s, I often felt like a square peg in a round hole. For example, I do some of my best work at 4:00 am, but couldn’t leave the house then since my kids were sleeping. Since my employer focused on “face time,” it was a losing battle to try to negotiate for more flexibility. I saw at an early stage of my career that these traditional office rules of 9 to 5 and business suits (ugh) would one day become obsolete, and would propel me out of the corporate world.

But the real reason for starting my own practice was something different. While working at these traditional firms, I was expected to follow a traditional script, focusing on investment statistics. When a husband brought his wife to a meeting, I often saw by her expression that she wasn’t getting much out of our discussion. I knew she wanted a different style of communication, and a sense of personal connection that wasn’t part of the analysis of alpha or standard deviations.

Now, I devote my time listening to our women clients and delivering services in a way that truly engages them. We focus on them, rather than just the numbers. And while we work primarily with women, there are some “enlightened” men who prefer our style and become clients. Our clients don’t have to know the technical lingo to feel in control of their finances and investments!

I believe strongly in the value of education, formal and informal. I love to learn and I love to teach, too. We have been able to deliver value even to women who have other advisors by becoming their “tutor” or “translator.” It’s amazing what a difference you can make in a client’s life when you just speak her language.

I owe a lot today to my late high school friend. I learned from her there is no time like the present to make the changes in your life that will truly make a difference for yourself and those you seek to help.

Click here if you would like to get to know Margie better.