Meet Heather Saunders of Ameriprise Financial!
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
Hey, babe! I’m so pumped to introduce you to an entrepreneur you’re going to love. Heather Saunders is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial and was the very first babe to join Babe Crafted when our membership launched in January of 2018. Over the years I’ve learned that Heather is very goal-oriented, is super passionate about dogs, and that she’s an excellent Happy Hour buddy. #roseallday
Heather is Certified Financial Planner and lives in Seminole Heights with her husband, two step-children, and sweet Beagle. Enjoy getting to know her as she shares about her journey and passion for helping business owners and professionals from all backgrounds to create a plan for their future. xx -Gina
Tell us about yourself and what you do!
I’m a Financial Advisor with Lewkowitz Wealth Management Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. In a nutshell, we help busy professionals and families who are seeking to simplify their lives and reduce stress by aligning their financial goals and plans with their core values. We manage investments, but really specialize in comprehensive financial planning that takes a clients’ whole financial world into consideration.
How did your business begin?
I started in the financial services industry in 2004, and I’ve served in a lot of different back-office capacities, but my focus really shifted in 2013. That’s when I began working with my current practice when they needed to add a financial planning specialist to the team. I was hired to support the practice’s existing clients, but over the course of the next year or so, I felt the desire for the first time to work with my own clients one-on-one, and not just in the support of another advisor. Currently, I am doing a mix of both. I feel very lucky, because Sharon (she’s the Lewkowitz of Lewkowitz Wealth Management Group) built this practice from the ground up, and I’ve been able to learn so much from her, not just as a financial advisor, but as an entrepreneur as well.
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
What's 1 challenge you've faced and how has it effected your business? What did you do to overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been completely mental – just me not having the confidence in myself that I should. I spent a lot of time worrying that because I was younger than the industry-average advisor, I wouldn’t be taken seriously. It took a while for me to truly understand and own my worth, and there wasn't one magical thing that got me there.
What's 1 success you've had since you’ve created your business? How do you feel when you look back on it?
I still consider it a success every single time I connect with a client, new or existing, and help them implement a strategy to achieve a goal. It’s incredibly rewarding to think of all the times I’ve seen physical stress lift off someone’s shoulders once they have a plan in place. And when they achieve those goals, it’s a huge cherry on top.
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
What's the best piece of advice you could give someone looking to start a business?
I don’t think I can narrow it down to just one piece of advice! Definitely do as much research as possible about as many aspects of your potential business as possible. Make a business plan and don’t be afraid to amend that plan when needed. And never, ever be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I think we can get so concerned with “being able to do it all” that we don’t stop to think how our business could be better if we weren’t afraid of admitting our shortcomings.
What's a pivot you've made in your business?
This wasn't a pivot for the practice necessarily, so much as it was for myself, but I would say it was when I decided I wanted to work directly with clients on my own. That led me down the path that I am on now, towards entrepreneurship.
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
When are you at your happiest?
Professionally, I am at my happiest when our clients are excited to be working toward their goals, or celebrating having achieved them. Personally, that’s harder to say because I find happiness in so many different moments! I love vacationing with my husband, but I also love spending a Friday night on the couch with our two beagles, watching DVR-ed episodes of “Jeopardy!” I love having Sunday dinners with my sister and her family, and my annual beach trips with a small group of college girlfriends really revitalize my soul. I feel very fortunate to have a difficult time answering this question, because there are so many great things to choose from.
What do you tell yourself when things get difficult?
“It’s a bad day; it’s not a bad life.” This is a saying that really resonates with me. It’s so easy to get weighed down by short-term frustrations and forget about how truly lucky I feel for the life I’m living. And then recently I was at home working out and the trainer on the DVD said “Don’t throw in the towel. Use it to wipe off your sweat and get back to work.” I love that!
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
Whats 1 personal goal you've set for yourself this year?
I am trying be more consistent with my yoga practice. I love working out and being active, and my main focus is resistance training. But practicing yoga is such a fantastic mental reset and really contributes to my overall feeling of well-being.
What's 1 business goal you've set for yourself to accomplish this year?
I would love to have more regular speaking engagements, so I set a specific goal for that this year. I love providing education about financial planning, because what you don't know really can hurt you. Empowering people with knowledge so they can make proactive decisions is a very large part of my business goals.
Photo by Ashlee Hamon Photography
What's the first thing you do on a Monday morning and why?
I try to get up early and workout before heading into the office because it gets my mind in the right place and makes me feel great all day. But I'm not a morning person, so it doesn't always happen! At the office, the first thing we do every Monday is have a team meeting to go over what everyone has happening that week, if there are any issues we need to address, etc.
Where can you be found + what will you typically be up to on a Friday night?
Fridays are family pizza night, so I am usually at home. On Fridays without the kids, my husband and I will usually go to dinner or meet up with friends.
Finish these sentences:
My go to karaoke song is… "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship. But to be clear, this is for solo-driving car karaoke only!
My signature drink is… Champagne.
My favorite quote is… "You must do the things you think you cannot do." -Eleanor Roosevelt
Heather is a Babe Crafted Member. Video by Cristina Danielle Creative. Location by The Meet Suite.
