Alice Bryan
My work in the financial services industry goes back to 1988, when I decided to work in this field because of the challenges and growth opportunities, and most importantly, the flexibility to set my schedule to be home with my young children. I’m not a numbers person, but I understand that finances has a lot more to do with emotions and relationships than numbers. There’s a ton of psychology needed in our field, which fascinates me as well.
My proudest professional achievement was acquiring my Certified Financial Planner ä designation in 1997. I had to pass six exams, then sit for the ten-hour final exam. The first time I sat for the exam, which was available only twice a year, my mother had passed away the month prior; needless to say, my heart wasn’t in it, and I failed the test. But just like getting back on a horse after you fall off, I immediately signed up for the test later that year, and passed it. If I never take another test again, that’s fine with me!
Through the years, my greatest satisfaction has been seeing clients reach that “aha” where they know what changes they need to make, and accomplish those, to help reach their goals and realize their dreams. The dynamics of the people-side of this business is the part I enjoy, knowing I’m helping those who trust me to give them guidance- like an extended family.
Having graduated from Indiana University in 1972 with a BS in Park Administration (I know-what does that have to do with finances-someone told me I didn’t look like the park ranger type!), I spent the next fifteen years with various companies, including starting my own firm with a franchise that sold personal crime safety equipment. Guess I always liked the idea of communicating and empowering folks to take charge of their own welfare...
I worked a couple years with a life insurance company with the attendant licenses, but quickly tired of fighting the expectation of meeting people in their homes at night, when I wanted to be home with my family. From there, I spent eight years with a regional bank, providing investment advice. Tiring of the corporate atmosphere and the pressure to sell investment and insurance products, I moved on and joined forces with a CPA in 1998. We developed a back-office investment firm for several CPA firms around the state. After several years there, I was ready for a change. I missed the client interaction, and moved into the “fee only” world.
I dropped all my licenses that are required to sell investment and insurance products, and found my real niche: providing objective, big-picture, real-world, financial planning and investment advice for a fee. Once I opened the doors of my shop and started networking to get the word out, the people started calling me: much like the movie Field of Dreams---“Build it and they will come.” I realized I was just tapping the tip of the iceberg with folks who needed objective advice, but didn’t meet the money management minimums of the typical wealth management firms. They simply wanted professional advice without being “sold,” and that understanding led me to form “Your Financial Watchdog.” The rest, as they say, will be history!
My children have been the main focus of my life, but now that they’re adults, I’m still trying to figure out what to do with some of my free time. Having gone through a divorce a few years back, and years of therapy along the way, I’m finding I’m a much different, healthier person today. Guess I’m still trying to figure out who I’ll be when I grow up. My faith plays a major role in my life as well, and I hope to be able to have more impact in the charitable arena in the future.