Larissa Mehlfelder: Why I Became A Financial Advisor
By Larissa Mehlfelder
One of the best ways to decide what career is best for you is to dip your toes into a particular industry and gain hands-on experience. This is how I indirectly found my way into the financial services industry. I was initially drawn to the field of law, but after working at a law firm during high school, I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me.
But during my time there, the firm’s 401(k) advisor presented their retirement plan to the staff. I was fascinated by the discussion and ended up working for the financial advisor for the remainder of high school. These formative experiences laid the foundation for the rest of my career, instilling in me a passion to help people become more financially responsible so they can live the life they desire.
My Career Journey
After high school, I worked for two other financial advisors during college while also obtaining my bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance with a minor in mathematics from The College of New Jersey. My experiences working with these boutique financial advisory firms solidified my knowledge of and passion for financial planning. I started working for Simon Quick Advisors immediately after graduation and eventually completed Fairleigh Dickinson University's program for financial planners and became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) practitioner. Once I was certified, I started taking on my own clients and developing relationships with them. I am also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA).
Having had exposure to wealth management for many years, I was impressed by Simon Quick Advisors’ mission to serve their clients’ best interests by aligning the firm’s goals with their clients’ goals. I believe the level of trust developed through this process is key to a successful relationship.
My Role Today
Today, I am a client advisor, working with clients to develop and implement their financial planning objectives. I provide guidance in areas such as asset allocation, estate planning, retirement, charitable giving, and insurance. At Simon Quick Advisors, we work together as a team with our clients’ attorneys, accountants, and other professionals to implement a strategic financial plan. It has been a rewarding experience to work with such an interesting and varied group of clients that challenge and motivate me to constantly improve.
In addition to my primary role of working with clients, I am involved with a variety of initiatives at Simon Quick Advisors that help drive our growth. I am head of the Wealth Creators Committee, which is focused on our younger clientele as they develop their careers and start families. I am also on the committee for the Simon Quick Women’s Network, which is committed to building relationships and empowering and educating women about their finances. My involvement in these committees enables me to work with two groups I am passionate about helping, women and young people. Over the years, I have also been actively involved in employee recruitment for Simon Quick Advisors and managing our internship program.
Challenges And Opportunities
Even if you love your job, every career has its own set of challenges. As a financial planner, it takes a lot of time and effort to gather every intricate detail about my clients’ financial lives. Even more important is to understand their aspirations and goals for the future. If I don’t have a complete picture of their financial life, there can be missed opportunities and gaps in their financial plans. This is why it’s essential for me to have an open and trusting relationship with my clients so we can work together in achieving the lifestyle they desire.
Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t choose any other career. I love when clients fully engage in the financial planning process and have confidence in our strategies. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my clients can focus more on what matters most to them because they know that I am keeping an eye on their financial future.
I work hard at what I do because I truly care about my clients and enjoy the relationships I’ve built with them. Keeping them happy and being able to help them makes my career rewarding. I care not only about their financial success, but also for them and their families on a personal level. I love hearing about their recent vacation or a new baby in their family. I also love the culture at Simon Quick Advisors and my talented colleagues. There are so many different personalities, but everyone has the common goal of creating a successful firm, doing what’s best for our clients, and having fun while we’re at it.
I’d Love To Help You
My goal for my clients is for them to achieve peace of mind and confidence that they can reach their financial goals. If you have questions about your financial needs and goals and are ready to start a conversation around your finances, Simon Quick Advisors can help. To discover your financial opportunities, call me at 973-525-1027 or email lmehlfelder@simonquickadvisors.com.
About Larissa Mehlfelder
Ms. Mehlfelder joined Simon Quick in June 2009 with prior experience in wealth management and investing. As a Client Advisor based in Morristown, NJ, she works with clients in developing and implementing their financial planning objectives. Throughout her wealth management career at other boutique financial advisory firms, she has gained valuable experience monitoring client investments and spearheading strategic marketing efforts. Ms. Mehlfelder earned a BS degree in Finance with a minor in Mathematics from The College of New Jersey where she maintained Dean’s List status. She completed Fairleigh Dickinson University's Program for Financial Planners in 2011 and became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner in 2012. She earned her CAIA Charter in March of 2014 and is a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association. To learn more about Larissa visit her LinkedIn.
DISCLAIMER
Simon Quick Advisors, LLC (Simon Quick) is an SEC registered investment adviser with a principal place of business in Morristown, NJ. Simon Quick may only transact business in states in which it is registered, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. A copy of our written disclosure brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available upon request. References to Simon Quick as being "registered" does not imply a certain level of education or expertise. No information provided shall constitute, or be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to acquire any security, investment product or service, nor shall any such security, product or service be offered or sold in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation is prohibited by law or registration. Additionally, no information provided in this report is intended to constitute legal, tax, accounting, securities, or investment advice nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. It should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful.