Career and Family

[quote=FA2477]I would like to hear from any female brokers who started in this industry while they were young.  I have been with one of the big name firms for a year and in production for several months and I’m doing very well. 

Every other female advisor I’ve met has started in the business only after they had grown children.  I would like the opinion on whether this career is one that can withstand the anticipated changes my life will still go through with family and children. 

My fiance already makes six figures in a stable position and he’s also under 30.  I feel torn because I know I can do well in this industry, but I also anticipate needing extended periods of time off in the next ten years.  The other 22 advisors in my office (less one) are all men over 40 who’ve been in this field for at least a decade–so I have no basis for comparison.

I know this is a more personal question but I just wanted advice from people who may have experienced similar circumstances.  I also know that this is primarily a male board (as is the industry) but I welcome any response. 
[/quote]

I am not female, but have been in the industry for a while, and my wife also is succesful in a related male-dominated financial field.

I will offer the following simple thoughts-

1.)  Many women have a tough time because of the “boys club” atmosphere.  But, those who can survive that tend to be very successful, far above average.  In no small part(and this is not to take away from their skills and talents) because they don’t have as much competition because there are so many fewer female advisors.

2.)  If you buy the whole “Mars versus Venus” thing, many of the ways women tend to think are better suited for an advisory role than us guys.

3.)  As to the root of your question-this career offers a tremendous amount flexibility if you can first prove your ability to get the job done.  But expect that you’ll have to work hard and coordinate child rearing with your husband and perhaps hire a nanny…or get in a good partnership(at work) with someone you really trust to help you with your book when you’re out.

[quote=FA2477]I would like to hear from any female brokers who started in this industry while they were young.  I have been with one of the big name firms for a year and in production for several months and I'm doing very well. 

Every other female advisor I've met has started in the business only after they had grown children.  I would like the opinion on whether this career is one that can withstand the anticipated changes my life will still go through with family and children. 

My fiance already makes six figures in a stable position and he's also under 30.  I feel torn because I know I can do well in this industry, but I also anticipate needing extended periods of time off in the next ten years.  The other 22 advisors in my office (less one) are all men over 40 who've been in this field for at least a decade--so I have no basis for comparison.

I know this is a more personal question but I just wanted advice from people who may have experienced similar circumstances.  I also know that this is primarily a male board (as is the industry) but I welcome any response. 
[/quote]

You could be divorced in 10 years, so stop worrying about it and work your butt off.

FA, I've always wondered the same thing, and playing in the boys world makes it a real concern for every woman who wants to be able to compete. Thanks for making this post, hopefully you (and I) will get some helpful input (thanks joe ...Bobby, don't talk just to hear your own voice) 

I will say I know several sucessful women who have shown me you can have it all - a great career and a family - but you might not be able to have it at the same time.  While this sucks and is pretty unfair for us girls, it is what it is and I doubt it's changing anytime soon.

FA, you can absolutely do this, but you'll have to become established before you start your family.  A friend of mine did this.  She realized that the amount of hours that she could work would be limited so she simply raised her account minimums.  The end result was that her income stayed the same, but she only worked 15-20 hours a week.

 . . female advisor?? Did someone call??  Where oh where is Babs.

I am a female and my children were 8 and 6 when I started.  Listen there is never a GOOD time to have kids.  You just DO it.  Everything and anything you suffer for the children is worth it.  No matter how tired you are, kiss them before you go to sleep.

. . oh having children does not get easier as you get older.  IT GETS HARDER.  So, if you have a stable marriage, have the kids.  They are a blessing from God.

To be successful in this job OR any job.  You have to work your butt off.  But when you are successful here . . you can CRUISE.  Like no other job on earth.  It is a great job for working mothers.

The hardest thing has been said above.  The idiotic men you will work with.  There are always some good guys, but you will meet some of the strangest personalities you have ever run into.  Get tough.  Give it right back to them, and let your WORK do the talking.

PM me if you like.  This is not for the weak at heart.

Kudos to you for having the guts to post the question.

Oh, one more thing.  Please do NOT have one child and quit.  It is very selfish.  The first child is for you and your husband.  THE SINGLE BEST THING YOU CAN EVER GIVE YOU CHILD IS A SIBLING.  So you have the second child for them.  And after that?  Who's counting.

Oh, it is actually easier to put a newborn into Daycare or with a nanny than a child who is 3 or 4.  The pinch times are ages 3 to 5.  Tough , Tough years.  When they get into school, you are cruising if you did your work up front.

I really really appreciate the responses thus far.  I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting such sincerity.  I stopped reading this forum months ago because it was mostly a place for cheap shots and drivel. 

And thanks especially to maybeeee for answering even the questions I wanted to ask and didn’t.

I’m in a “sink or swim” office where there’s no help at all (not even a kind word).  If this forum is again a place to go to for real questions, I think that is awesome. 

 

I started in this career when my child was in 5th grade and I was a single Mom. (18 years ago)  It was tough. I don't know how people with little children/toddlers, men or women can do it when just beginning as financial advisors.  One thing for sure is that you need to have a supportive spouse or other support system to help with the children. 

Like Maybeeee says, there is never a perfect time to have children. Although I think sooner than later, mainly because you need the energy of youth to take care of kids and try to have a career. There is nothing so unfair to you or your children as being an older parent who is just not up to the challenge of teenagers. 

Being a financial advisor and especially an independent, as I am now, I have a great deal of flexibility that I didn't have in the beginning.  The ideal for a working/career female would be to work your butt off for a few years to get to a position where you have enough AUM to be able to scale back for a few years while your children are young.  Once they are in school full time and especially when they become hormonal teenagers, they really don't want you to be around that much anyway. 

Joe's idea of being in a small firm or partner with someone who will allow you to scale back is a good one.  Being at a wire or other bigger firm, you will be held to production numbers that may not be easy to meet and still allow you time to be off with your family.  

This is a man's world in this industry, so don't expect special treatment because you are female or have children. The best thing to do is to speak to the Branch Manager or owner of the firm and get a feel for just how much leeway you would be allowed.

Babs:

Why do so few females enter the career field?  Is it because of the math?  Maybe it's because it's not a guaranteed income and females tend to want more financial security.  

(It's interesting about gender career fields: for example, you'll always see more female teachers and nurses.  You're seeing more female police officers than ever before, though.)  

Seems it might be best to determine first if you're in the right career field, although with less women in the field, there would certainly be a need for more women for various reasons.  Maybe women prefer women advisors or maybe male or female, a person may just prefer a male advisor.  I wouldn't put the effort in unless you know it's the right field for you.  There's a high attrition rate as I've read:

My experience has been that people who are good in math tend to be good in this business," said Jack Gary, branch manager at Raymond James & Associates in West Palm Beach. "But you also need skills in effective communication, good selling skills and being comfortable speaking in front of people."

Raymond James & Associates does require a college degree and prefers those with three or four years of business experience. Applicants who are interviewed must also take a series of tests that help determine their skills and whether they would make a successful adviser.

It would be interesting to find out more about these types of tests and what they entail.

http://www.palmbeachclassifieds.com/employment/jobs/main/job s_financialadvisor_main.html

Maybe women prefer women advisors or maybe male or female, a person may just prefer a male advisor. 

I meant: may prefer a female advisor for whatever reason.  (Suze Orman has pointed out in her new book that maybe women aren't so good with money, though.  Might hurt the perception of whether to use female advisors).

I believe Suze Orman’s point is that women don’t THINK they can be good

with money, when in reality they can be just as capable with money as

men. They’ve just been cultured to believe that men should handle the

money and they don’t have to worry about it. I don’t think declaring

women bad with money would help Suze’s book sales!

In actuality, women are taking a much more active role in household

finances than ever before, with 61% of women saying they now are the

primary person responsible for the long-term financial planning. A

recent study by the National Association of Investment Clubs shows

female investment clubs outperforming their male counterparts by a wide

margin in 9 of the 12 years in the study. And since women still earn

about 25% less than men, and live 7 years longer, they have different

financial planning needs than men.

I’m not sure why it’s necessary to reconsider our choice of career field just

because we’re women. Your quote attributes success to those who are

good at math and have effective communication and interpersonal skills,

not those who are men.

My quote was copied from the link: it isn't my quote.  Allow me to clarify and add a few more points.

If there's not many women in the field: per the quote and prior comments: maybe it's the lower aptitude in math.  On the other hand, women normally have very good communication and interpersonal skills and maybe this could make up for the lack in math skills.  Since one company has a battery of "tests" to determine if you might be good at the job: I made mention, I wonder what these tests entail: more than likely they are more math oriented I gather.

Women don't take the backseat in making decisions anymore and may, in fact, may even "wear the pants" in some families (buy bacon and fry it too) if you have a Mr. Mom at home  or in many cases, you might see partners taking an equal part in the decisions. I have the book but haven't read it yet:  however, Suze is saying that women tend to undervalue themselves and always put people first then money; are more giving and therefore don't look out for their financial welfare as much.  

Hmmm, for that matter, look at Suze Orman herself: she was a waitress and undervalued herself until she was encouraged by others: recall she wanted to open a restaurant and just "fell" into the field due to losing money that she invested.  As a waitress, she could go no where but up.  With that thought in mind, I would encourage females to go into the field if they possess good communication, and interpersonal skills (even if they lack the math skills) especially if you can go no where but up, that is, if you are making mediocre wages.  Or there's always sales in insurance: seems to be comparable field, too (maybe a better field, don't really know)--seems less stressful since everyone normally needs and wants insurance but not financial advisory services.   

[quote=babbling looney]

Joe’s idea of being in a small firm or partner with someone who will allow you to scale back is a good one.  Being at a wire or other bigger firm, you will be held to production numbers that may not be easy to meet and still allow you time to be off with your family.  

This is a man's world in this industry, so don't expect special treatment because you are female or have children. The best thing to do is to speak to the Branch Manager or owner of the firm and get a feel for just how much leeway you would be allowed.
 

Put where are you???





You people are begging for him to rip into this convo……

[quote=DirtyDeltaBro]Put where are you???





You people are begging for him to rip into this convo……

[/quote]

IT would be a pleasure to have put back compared to some of the new trolls we have hanging out here lately!

Put was far from a troll.   

[quote=kap39]FA, I’ve always wondered the same thing, and playing
in the boys world makes it a real concern for every woman who wants to
be able to compete. Thanks for making this post, hopefully you
(and I) will get some helpful input (thanks joe …Bobby, don’t talk just to hear your own voice) 

[QUOTE]

I'm going to expose myself as a male chauvinist pig, but I don't think women are suited for this business. You can do the whole Condoleeza Rice thing, but its not compatible with raising a family.

This a sales job. You don't sell, the kids don't eat.

You spend time with the kids, you're not selling, your're not earning, and the kids don't eat. There is a big time comittment to this business, since most of the action takes place outside of market hours.

[/quote]I will say I know several sucessful women who have shown me you can have it all - a great career and a family - but you might not be able to have it at the same time.  While this sucks and is pretty unfair for us girls, it is what it is and I doubt it's changing anytime soon.[/quote]

It's not changing, and the feminists lied to you. You can't have it all.

[quote=kap39]I believe Suze Orman’s point is that women don’t THINK they can be good
with money, when in reality they can be just as capable with money as
men. [/quote]



Suze Orman is living proof that women have no business with money.

[quote=AllREIT] [quote=kap39]I believe Suze Orman's point is that women don't THINK they can be good with money, when in reality they can be just as capable with money as men. [/quote]

Suze Orman is living proof that women have no business with money.

[/quote]

They have no business with women, either. At least without male supervision.

AllREIT and Bobby Hull,

I find it very funny how much of a fool you both look like.  Way to be professional.  FA, best of luck to you - I hope everything works out in the best way it can for you and you future family members.  There is a woman at Merrill Lynch that interviewed me the other day who makes $6 million in commissions a year.  Basically, she told me that when she had kids, she resorted to a seminar every month or two in the evening.  That way she could be home with her kids most of the time and her husband could watch them when she went to do the seminar.  When she met with prospects from those seminars, she tried to also do it in the evening.  She ended up getting a Nany when things got tough (2 days a week I believe she said) but still raised a family and a more successful book than any of the morons that are replying to your post trying to tell you things like "women have no business with money"

Josh

[quote=jcskimmer]

AllREIT and Bobby Hull,

I find it very funny how much of a fool you both look like.  Way to be professional.  FA, best of luck to you - I hope everything works out in the best way it can for you and you future family members.  There is a woman at Merrill Lynch that interviewed me the other day who makes $6 million in commissions a year.  Basically, she told me that when she had kids, she resorted to a seminar every month or two in the evening.  That way she could be home with her kids most of the time and her husband could watch them when she went to do the seminar.  When she met with prospects from those seminars, she tried to also do it in the evening.  She ended up getting a Nany when things got tough (2 days a week I believe she said) but still raised a family and a more successful book than any of the morons that are replying to your post trying to tell you things like "women have no business with money"

Josh

[/quote]

BS

I know a guy, who knew a gal, who heard about, who read about a guy, who read about a gal, who that talked with a guy, that talked with a gal, who did 2 measly seminars every month or two that earned 6 mill in comm.

BS

She didn't say she earned 6 million in commssion a year from doing seminars ... that is what she did during the years she had children.  Call Merrill and ask to talk to her yourself moron. 

[quote=Bamzor][quote=jcskimmer]

AllREIT and Bobby Hull,

I find it very funny how much of a fool you both look like.  Way to be professional.  FA, best of luck to you - I hope everything works out in the best way it can for you and you future family members.  There is a woman at Merrill Lynch that interviewed me the other day who makes $6 million in commissions a year.  Basically, she told me that when she had kids, she resorted to a seminar every month or two in the evening.  That way she could be home with her kids most of the time and her husband could watch them when she went to do the seminar.  When she met with prospects from those seminars, she tried to also do it in the evening.  She ended up getting a Nany when things got tough (2 days a week I believe she said) but still raised a family and a more successful book than any of the morons that are replying to your post trying to tell you things like "women have no business with money"

Josh

[/quote]

BS

I know a guy, who knew a gal, who heard about, who read about a guy, who read about a gal, who that talked with a guy, that talked with a gal, who did 2 measly seminars every month or two that earned 6 mill in comm.

BS

[/quote]

The kid got out of high school 3 years ago. He hasn't been around long enough to have any true stories to tell.

Funny Bobby that I have been out of high school for exactly 3 years and have more AUM already than you did after 2 years in the business.  I may not have been around the block but I know what I am doing, and an “interview” where I found this out - why would that matter how old I was?

PS - This woman is like 59 now ... its like she did this overnight :) I was just saying it as how she uphelp her book.

[quote=jcskimmer]Funny Bobby that I have been out of high school for exactly 3 years and have more AUM already than you did after 2 years in the business.  I may not have been around the block but I know what I am doing, and an "interview" where I found this out - why would that matter how old I was?[/quote]

Refresh my memory...how much in AUM did I have after two years?

trust me .. i know :0

THE POINT IS: I was trying to encourage someone with a story I had just heard, and the older over-critical morons on this site had to get all bent outa shape.  I am so impressed with your worthlessnes. 

GOOD LUCK FA!

[quote=jcskimmer]

trust me .. i know :0

THE POINT IS: I was trying to encourage someone with a story I had just heard, and the older over-critical morons on this site had to get all bent outa shape.  I am so impressed with your worthlessnes. 

GOOD LUCK FA!

[/quote]

Judging from the shape of your mouth, you've just let us know your role for the guy that you are working under.

1. If you want any credibility at all in this business from men AND from the women in the industry do NOT use Susie Orman as a role model or use her name as some sort of person to aspire to.  She is an idiot and makes a joke of everything we do.

2. You can't have it all.  The fact is that when you try to have a high intensity career as this (man or woman) your personal life and your family life is going to suffer.  Either that, or you settle for being less than a stellar financial advisor in production.  Your choice.  But you can't have both.  

3. As a woman, you are kidding yourself if you think that you are going to be a great "Mommy" ala Donna Reed, when you farm out a good portion of your children's lives to day care, nannies or in the care of other family members.  Other people are going to be there when your child takes his/her first steps, says their first words. Other people will be shaping your child's perceptions of the world by the discipline they impose on your child and by the games they play with your child.  If you can live with this, then no problem.  But don't be fooling yourself about it.

4. Don't whine!!!   You are no more special to the Branch Manager than any other FA because you have children or have a different set of plumbing than the rest of the "guys".  In fact, get used to being a second class citizen in the eyes of the good ole boys and in the eyes of some your older male and female prospects.  That is how they were raised. Get used to it and get over it by being better than expected.

5. Don't network much with other women FAs either.  All that does is set up a group bitch session and makes you look like weak whiny women to the men.  This is a solitary type of job.  Teamwork might exist between a few close working partners in an independent or partnership setting because you are all working for the same thing.  In most cases your enemy and competitor is sitting right next to you.

It isn't all as negative as I have portrayed.   If you can survive the first 3 to 5 years (men and women) then you can have the best job in the world. You can work in the manner that you like and how it fits your personal lifestyle.

It’s about you and your clients, not the office.  Focus on your business not the environment of your company.

Do you really think that networking with other female FA's is not a good idea? I can understand that within the same market they're your competition and not your friend, but it seems like networks such as these could be very beneficial, especially as an opportunity for the younger women just beginning their careers to learn from the successful established women.  Shouldn't we be able to help each other out?

[quote=kap39]

Do you really think that networking with other female FA's is not a good idea? I can understand that within the same market they're your competition and not your friend, but it seems like networks such as these could be very beneficial, especially as an opportunity for the younger women just beginning their careers to learn from the successful established women.  Shouldn't we be able to help each other out?

[/quote]

You already have one it is called Zonta. www.zonta.org

[quote=kap39]Do you really think that networking with other female FA’s
is not a good idea? I can understand that within the same market
they’re your competition and not your friend, but it seems like
networks such as these could be very beneficial, especially as an
opportunity for the younger women just beginning their careers
to learn from the successful established women.  Shouldn’t we
be able to help each other out?[/quote]



Lol,

3) Is there anything financial you can sell the female broker's in the office?

You should network with anyone who will help you advance your career and who has good ideas to share and who is willing to help you out.  You should be able to learn from established men in the industry just as well as from established women.

I am against women only network groups.  They tend to turn into feel whiny clubby sorority type groups that really don't give much career help ( at least in my experience ) and tend to high center on how "mean" all the guys are.  If you find a woman mentor, great!!  But to set up a group of women to network about our "special" circumstances just reinforces the stereotypes that the men in the industry have about women in the industry.   To set us up as "special" is just too Corky for me.

I guess I don't understand this feminism stuff.   

[quote=babbling looney]

1. If you want any credibility at all in this business from men AND from the women in the industry do NOT use Susie Orman as a role model or use her name as some sort of person to aspire to.  She is an idiot and makes a joke of everything we do.

2. You can't have it all.  The fact is that when you try to have a high intensity career as this (man or woman) your personal life and your family life is going to suffer.  Either that, or you settle for being less than a stellar financial advisor in production.  Your choice.  But you can't have both.  

3. As a woman, you are kidding yourself if you think that you are going to be a great "Mommy" ala Donna Reed, when you farm out a good portion of your children's lives to day care, nannies or in the care of other family members.  Other people are going to be there when your child takes his/her first steps, says their first words. Other people will be shaping your child's perceptions of the world by the discipline they impose on your child and by the games they play with your child.  If you can live with this, then no problem.  But don't be fooling yourself about it.

4. Don't whine!!!   You are no more special to the Branch Manager than any other FA because you have children or have a different set of plumbing than the rest of the "guys".  In fact, get used to being a second class citizen in the eyes of the good ole boys and in the eyes of some your older male and female prospects.  That is how they were raised. Get used to it and get over it by being better than expected.

5. Don't network much with other women FAs either.  All that does is set up a group bitch session and makes you look like weak whiny women to the men.  This is a solitary type of job.  Teamwork might exist between a few close working partners in an independent or partnership setting because you are all working for the same thing.  In most cases your enemy and competitor is sitting right next to you.

It isn't all as negative as I have portrayed.   If you can survive the first 3 to 5 years (men and women) then you can have the best job in the world. You can work in the manner that you like and how it fits your personal lifestyle.

[/quote]

You just got a major uptick on the list of people that I admire.

When I first started I tried to network with other female advisors and found out quickly that I was thought of as the enemy–the person out to take their business.  And while I haven’t found extraordinary help from male brokers either, they’re more up front with their feelings.  (Women tend to be outwardly pleasant but secretly feeling you out).

I joined many women’s groups at the beginning (because there are ever so many of them).  But I’ve found them to be entirely less productive than any other group or networking setup. 

I’ve found that my hardest thing, as a newbie, is trying to simultaneously build my business the “right” way, while also meeting weekly goals.  All of my accounts are over 200K so far.  I have above the required AUM to date.  My problem is that the trainee “program” requires that you bring in a certain amounts weekly.  And if I haven’t made new numbers recently, everyone wonders what the heck I’ve been doing.

I’ve built accounts by networking in the community.  I get to know people, qualify them in conversation and earn their trust before they even come into my office.  The problem:  this is a more lengthy process than cold calling and bringing in every 50K and above account. 

I know from experienced people and literature that having less accounts with higher AUM is way better–but is it wiser to bite the bullet as a newbie and bring in everything I can, if it means less time out there working on larger accounts (that may or may not bring over their assets)?  

Joining groups and getting involved in the community is taking time out now to build on long-term goals–is this a smart move in the first year of production?

[quote=FA2477]I really really appreciate the responses thus far.  I have to admit that I wasn't expecting such sincerity.  I stopped reading this forum months ago because it was mostly a place for cheap shots and drivel. 

And thanks especially to maybeeee for answering even the questions I wanted to ask and didn't.

I'm in a "sink or swim" office where there's no help at all (not even a kind word).  If this forum is again a place to go to for real questions, I think that is awesome. 

 
[/quote]

me too.  no love here. 

thanks for your kind words.

[quote=joedabrkr] [quote=babbling looney]

Joe's idea of being in a small firm or partner with someone who will allow you to scale back is a good one.  Being at a wire or other bigger firm, you will be held to production numbers that may not be easy to meet and still allow you time to be off with your family.  

This is a man's world in this industry, so don't expect special treatment because you are female or have children. The best thing to do is to speak to the Branch Manager or owner of the firm and get a feel for just how much leeway you would be allowed.
 

[/quote]

Thanks Babs!  I know this-there are plenty of indys out there(including myself) who would be happy to work out an arrangement with a working mom to cover their book and help them out, in return for the same when they are on vacation or out meeting clients.  We have better margins and more flexibility than the wirehouse guys.

I will also second the point made by an earlier poster that one advantage of continuing to work is that by the time your kids are COGNIZANT of being dropped off at daycare they are used to the routine.  Just make sure you have them in a loving and safe environment.  Too, understand that it is the QUALITY of the time you spend with those kids, not the QUANTITY.  When you are with them, be THERE and interact and play and talk with them.  I know plenty of people who have more time with their kids than I do, but far less QUALITY.

Work your butt off now and build your book, your credibility within the firm and your contacts within the industry(thus giving you options if your BOM isn't flexible).  And-when the time comes-be ready to stand up for yourself and your rights.  In many ways, when it comes to that point you have an ADVANTAGE as a woman.  Being a committed father in a two career family can be no picnic in this industry, I promise.  There was more than on instance at my prior (wirehouse) firm where I went head to head with my sales manager(ironically a single mom, I think she felt she had something to prove) over her efforts to pressure me to go to after hours meetings run by wholesalers.  More than once it came down to me looking her in the eye and saying "Hey look, I'm making my numbers, this meeting is NOT essential nor required, and I have a family responsibility.  Now, do you really want to go there?"

Good luck, and I'm glad we could help.
[/quote]

Now that is the old Joe that I know and love.

[quote=kap39]

Do you really think that networking with other female FA's is not a good idea? I can understand that within the same market they're your competition and not your friend, but it seems like networks such as these could be very beneficial, especially as an opportunity for the younger women just beginning their careers to learn from the successful established women.  Shouldn't we be able to help each other out?

[/quote]

I don't agree.  Sorry Babs.  Some of the BEST advice and actual HELP (like referrals) are from other female advisors.  Honestly. 

Babs, the hug above is from me to you.  Now a female advisor was nice to you. 

If you were in direct competition with her, it wouldn't be a "sincere" hug.  Women are known as the weaker sex but to each other they are the "vicious" sex.  What's bad is when you work for a female boss who is threatened by you. 

Women are nuturing and all...(as long as you are not in competition with them or if they don't perceive you as competition)...if there's a man involved...they'll even drive miles and miles and wear a diaper.

There are professional women's groups where women are helpful and supportive (again, this is due to not being in competition).  Men work better together although they can be just as backstabbing and gossipy, too.  Men love to gossip, too--but mostly about women.

[quote=maybeeeeeeee][quote=kap39]

Do you really think that networking with other female FA's is not a good idea? I can understand that within the same market they're your competition and not your friend, but it seems like networks such as these could be very beneficial, especially as an opportunity for the younger women just beginning their careers to learn from the successful established women.  Shouldn't we be able to help each other out?

[/quote]

I don't agree.  Sorry Babs.  Some of the BEST advice and actual HELP (like referrals) are from other female advisors.  Honestly. 

Babs, the hug above is from me to you.  Now a female advisor was nice to you. 

[/quote]

LOL  Thanks for the hug.  I'm not saying the new female adivosors shouldn't network with other female advisors. My OSJ is a female too and we discuss a lot of things that help each other out in the job. We get along very well. 

What I advise against is setting up a "formal" female advisors network.  It is counter productive and as I said eventually will devolve into a bitching session.  More to the point however, it just reinforces the negative impression that many of the male adivisors (and especially the older ones) have of females in this business.  Whiny, emotional and needy.

Rather than setting up a female group, just try to network with and learn from any competent advisor out there, male or female.  I guess I just don't get why advice about how to be a financial advisor would be any better or any different coming from a female than a man.   If the guy gives stupid advice or ridiculous sports analogies, do like I do.....ignore it.  We each approach the sales process based on our own personalities.  I've recieved usless information from both men and women.  Men generally take up less of my time to tell it to me though.

If I want female advice about female issues I will ask my female friends.  If I want to get information on the beta and standard deviation of a portfolio or on an investment strategy what difference does it make who gives it to me.

To each his own, I guess. 

[quote=maybeeeeeeee]

Now that is the old Joe that I know and love.

The very best part about being a women, is that some of the male advisors underestimate you.

Use it to your great advantage.

Anyone can be successful in this business.  In the LONG run, which some of you fools won't be around for . .  it is about heart.  Yep you heard that right.  Heart. 

Do the best for your client, don't forget rule #1, and kiss your kids at night.

[quote=maybeeeeeeee]

The very best part about being a women, is that some of the male advisors underestimate you.

Use it to your great advantage.

Anyone can be successful in this business.  In the LONG run, which some of you fools won't be around for . .  it is about heart.  Yep you heard that right.  Heart. 

Do the best for your client, don't forget rule #1, and kiss your kids at night.

[/quote]

I guess I was wrong about what would be the best part of being a woman.