September 2024

At the end of the month, I will be attending the Raymond James annual Women’s Symposium. Each year, Raymond James hosts a conference exclusively for women advisors. This will be the 30^th year of this conference. If you didn’t know, only 15% of financial advisors in the United States are women, according to Investopedia.com, while over 50% of the population in the United States is comprised of women. We women need to stick together, and the Raymond James annual Women’s Symposium is a great opportunity for me to not only meet and talk with other women advisors, but to round out my professional development and bring great ideas back to the team to best work with you, our women clients.

Did you know that women investors (that’s you) already control over 50% of assets and are projected to own or control over 2/3^rd of assets by 2030?¹ That is only 6 years away and even though we are a majority stakeholder of wealth in the United States, many women feel intimidated, unheard and forgotten when they sit down at the financial table. I think this is needs to change.

One of the reasons I started this Ladies First Blog post, is because I, and the entire team at Kindred Financial Partners, don’t want you to feel that way. We believe that your voice is as important as anyone’s and we want you to feel heard, and know you are seen as part of the conversation around the table. One of my biggest frustrations is when my husband, Roger, and I are talking to a salesperson, or repair person or whomever, and that person ONLY looks and speaks to Roger. Hello! I’m here too and a part of the decision-making process, so please don’t exclude me from the conversation. You too are an important part of the conversation.

This is to remind you of your open invitation to share your thoughts, ask questions, let us know we need to explain things in a different way, or whatever it may be. We are always available by phone or email or during our annual meetings for whatever conversation you wish to have.

I applaud Raymond James for their efforts to make sure women advisors have a seat at the table in a traditionally (and still) male dominated field. Finances and investments involve everyone and Kindred Financial Partners works hard to make sure each client is seen, heard and understood.

¹Source: Raymond James Aspire Magazine, Summer 2024, page 16