Mariner Wealth Advisors

How long have you been working in financial services? I have enjoyed working in the financial services area since 1997, when I co-founded a registered investment advisory firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My colleagues and I had a passion for helping clients achieve their goals by providing investment and planning advice. In 1997, the financial service area in Tulsa was dominated by broker-dealer relationships and men. We wanted to see change in both areas. We later joined Mariner Wealth Advisors in 2012.

What kinds of services do you provide? Most clients come to us to assist them with their portfolio allocation and investment/financial planning needs, but there are many other services we provide to our clients, such as cash flow planning, insurance analysis, estate planning review by our advisors as well as our in-house estate planning attorneys, tax planning and wealth transfer planning. We can also provide family office services and business succession and valuation planning.

How do you maintain your education or expertise? I attend several conferences throughout the year to maintain designations, and Mariner has a dedicated team to provide online, in-person and webinar training on a weekly basis. If you think you have learned it all, you are mistaken. I continue learning everyday through these areas, as well as from colleagues and fellow business leaders.

What motivated you to choose a career in financial services? I love people and the thought of helping them navigate from accumulation to financial independence, where they can enjoy retirement and create memories along the way. I enjoy collaborating with our clients, through building their careers and families to traumatic transitions such as divorce or loss of a loved one, and working with them emotionally, not just in a technical form. Seeing clients through successes and challenges fills my heart with gratitude.

What is the greatest challenge you are facing right now? I would say our greatest challenge is also an opportunity. We are actively looking for advisors to join our firm with a client-first focus that aligns with the culture we have created at Mariner. We have a team approach and finding talent can be a challenge.

What is a common misconception about your career? A common misconception in wealth advise is you can do it on your own. I was blessed to have a mentor early in my career that pushed me to do my best, be my best, continue growing and learning with a team. While many feel they can perform the full scope of services on their own, I believe a team approach is better for professionals. Having a second eye on all decisions is something all clients deserve, and clients appreciate when someone is available and ready to meet their needs, rather than waiting for their advisor to return to the office.

How can someone begin building financial stability? One of the first areas to start building financial stability is participating in company sponsored retirement plans, such as a 401(k). If you are not participating, you are leaving part of your salary on the table, as many employers offer a match. Second, looking at your budget and cash flow will help you determine how much you can save monthly on an after-tax basis and start investing. After-tax investing is particularly important, as you will pay tax on every dollar you take from an IRA or 401(k).

What is one piece of financial advice you like to give? It is much easier to start earlier than waiting until later and catching up. Many people are fearful about taking the first step, but you will be so glad you did, and it is not as scary as you might think.