Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget Grimes.
Bridget, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Years ago, when I found myself in a divorce with two small kids, a single working mom, with no time for anything, including myself, I started to think about what happens to women like me. I was overloaded with responsibility and had no time to think about whether I would be ok financially. I had two girlfriends going through this same transition at the same time and I realized there was a tremendous number of women working so hard between professional and family life with no time to think about their own future, their own financial well being. It was then that I decided to launch a business to help women just like I live life on their terms. Over the next several years, I built a practice focused on helping women executives leverage their careers for the life they wanted. This means doing what you love, earning what you are worth, and having a plan around what is most important to you in life. I brought my practice to a couple of firms before realizing that no firm shared my passion for helping professional women the way I knew would help them best. I consistently saw the same issues among these women, four derailers that made the difference between living life on their terms and being stuck on the treadmill of life. I wanted to have the choice to serve any professional woman, not just women who had “made it,” I wanted to dig into parts of their life that were out of balance so we could address their financial issues, overcome them, and empower them to make good, smart financial decisions. Most of all, I wanted to help more women live a better life. And that’s when I decided to launch WealthChoice in September 2016.
Has it been a smooth road?
I didn’t set out wanting my own firm. I didn’t want to take the risk. I wanted to find another firm that shared my passions and values and wanted to set up shop there. But that firm didn’t exist. I did tremendous research on firms and none of them was a fit. In the end, I felt I had to run my own business to serve professional women the way I thought best. I took a huge leap and it was the best thing I have ever done.
Having your own business requires a lot of time, from running the business to serving your clients. It can require a lot of overhead and there are many expenses. But running your own firm provides incredible flexibility. Since you run the business, you can work around schedules of children, family members, travel and work remotely, serve who you want. You make the decisions! I absolutely love it. I love being able to serve who I want, the way I want. I don’t have to worry about bringing in new clients all the time to satisfy the revenue goals of a big company, who refused to pay me what I was worth. I can serve who I want, the way I want. There is no better way to do this than by running your own business.
I would love to see more young women in my industry. Financial planning is perfect for women, and having your own planning firm is ideal for balancing family life with a profession. I would tell young women interested in my industry to reach out to successful women in the industry for a mentor. Intern with firms you are interested in. Cut your teeth working for a firm that serves the type of people you want to help. Join industry organizations so you can network with senior members of the industry and learn from them. Get out and speak to as many people as you can. I would also tell older women, perhaps career changers, that this is an industry to pursue. So much of financial planning involves collaboration, communication, compassion, and empathy. Women are well suited as financial planners and there is a great need for them in an industry that is 80% male.
We’d love to hear more about WealthChoice.
I run a financial planning firm that specializes in helping women executives live life on their terms. I help hardworking women leverage their careers for financial security. I empower women to take financial control of their lives by helping them make incremental changes to their life, to banish guilt, shame, and anxiety around money. I am a big fan of collaborating with other women professionals and supporting women in business. About 10 years ago I launched a women’s group called Executive Women’s Forum. I rebranded it as WealthChoice Community when I launched WealthChoice. Every month or so, I bring women together to socialize, network, and learn. We have speakers on anything that will enhance our quality of life. It might be nutrition for busy people, mindfulness techniques, career coaching, etc. This group has been a passion of mine and I know it has made a difference to many women.
I called my firm WealthChoice because we have choices in life, but sometimes people need to be reminded of that. I am most proud of how I have helped so many women live a better life. My firm is very unique in terms of who we serve and how we serve. I consider us a very high touch firm. My job is to show my clients what choices they have. They decide what they are willing to do to make their life the way they want. It is awesome when someone tells you that you have made a difference in their life. It’s my motivation.
I would also say the book I published is something I am incredibly proud of. The goal was to reach as many women as possible so they could take the steps I share and make their life better. It was also to provide a tool to other financial planners so they could better serve women executives. My industry fails women by not addressing the gender-specific risks they have, especially the gender issues around professions. We could help thousands of women better if more planners provided solutions I highlight in the book.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
My latest favorite book is Start with Why by Simon Sinek. It’s all about passion for what you do. It’s incredibly inspiring and it keeps me focused on why I do what I do.
Kind of nerdy, but in my industry, there is a blog called kitces.com. It’s terrific. Michael Kitces addresses key topics of financial planning from serving clients to best practices in business. It’s my go-to blog.
Contact Info:
- Address: WealthChoice, 2811 Dickens Street, Ste 132, San Diego, CA 92106
- Website: www.wealthchoice.com
- Phone: 858-221-0022
- Email: bridget.grimes@wealthchoice.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wealthchoice/?ref=bookmarks
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-venus-grimes-cfp®-7972a527/
Image Credit:
Terri Rippee and JenandShane.com
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