Mother’s Day presents an opportunity for us to highlight the life and accomplishments of a special lady on our team; she works responsibly as a financial advisor and is a doting mother to her beloved daughter. While some deem such lifestyle and work are almost too cumbersome, this woman takes pride in what she does and she does it diligently every day.
So, how does she do it? Let’s find out!
Q: Hi Nancy, please tell us more about yourself.
I was previously a business owner for 15 years, but I am now working as a financial advisor and have been in this industry for the past 3 years.
Q: What is it like working as a financial advisor while playing the role of a single mother? What does a day in your life look like?
It is extremely tough and challenging, but also very fulfilling. Being in this industry has made me more disciplined; it has also made me realise the importance of taking care of one’s mental, physical, and spiritual health.
My day typically starts at 6:30 AM with my morning workout and morning affirmations. Then, I head home to prepare breakfast for my daughter before she leaves for school. After that, I start my workday by checking my WhatsApp and emails, and following up on calls to get my customers’ requests settled. On some days, I have morning team meetings or training that end slightly before lunch. After lunch, I set my appointments and then I am out on client meetings that sometimes last until 10-11 PM.
However, this changed in 2019 when I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. I became more aware of the importance of taking care of one’s own health in order to be able to take care of my growing group of clients.
Q: Does your job provide you with flexibility in terms of working hours?
Yes and no. I fully understand that the first few years in the industry would leave me little to no flexibility with my time. My commitment to all my clients is to be there for them when they need me, and to be a blessing to each and every person who crosses my path.
I am working hard now to be able to enjoy my future. And one of the perks of the industry is to be able to ride on the passive income that we earned. As my main interest and focus is in investments, I often spend time reading and researching funds to help my clients watch over their investments and update them regularly on their funds’ performance.
Q: Is your daughter aware of your career as a financial advisor?
Yes, and she has urged me to get a “proper job” as she sees how hard I work on weekends and public holidays. I look forward to the day that I can spend more time with her after a few years of hard work.
Q: How do you usually spend your free time with your daughter? Is there a particular activity that you enjoy doing with her?
My daughter and I are each other’s best friend. We make an effort to watch movies on Netflix (my favourites are thrillers!) every Saturday night, and enjoy a nice dinner on Sundays after her work has ended (she’s working part-time). We both love cafe hopping; we always enjoy the cakes, soaking in the cafe ambience, and having a catch-up on our weekly events.
Q: Does your daughter ever show interest in your work?
She enjoys it when I share about how I have helped someone grow their money or get covered for critical illness protection. She is especially interested now, as her own mother is unable to get critical illness protection coverage, and thus, there is no income replacement when critical illness strikes.
Q: How does your daughter feel about your work schedule?
My daughter has been brought up to be very independent and she has been extremely understanding. She is fully aware and accepts that her mum will go out of her way to help someone in need.
Q: In what way does your job help you to become a better mother?
This job is about building relationships and I have built many relationships along the way. This has helped me to learn to be more empathetic with her [my daughter] emotions and to see things from both viewpoints instead of insisting on mine.
Q: To what extent is it true, that being a financial advisor and a mother allows you to have the best of both worlds?
It allows me to spend more time with my daughter instead of just restricting it to weekends. Every day is a learning process and I learn from each and every parent that I come across on how to be a better mother. My daughter knows all my clients by names because I always share how a particular client has impacted me on certain things. As I treat all my clients like my family, I love them like I love my family, and they also taught me the language of love which helps me love my daughter better.
Q: Do you have any advice for working mothers out there who are seeking to pursue a career as a financial advisor?
Being a financial advisor is an extremely fulfilling career. This career allows you to continuously learn, unlearn, and relearn. It has no “retirement age,” and it brings huge satisfaction when we put a smile on the clients’ and their families’ faces.
Being a mother is a full-time job and commitment, but mothers can have the best of both worlds with a job that provides a work-life balance—like being a financial advisor. Nancy and her daughter are a living testament that you do not have to sacrifice one for the other!
Life as a financial advisor alone promises great rewards for newcomers and veterans alike, so if you are interested to start your career in financial planning, consider EΛOL! Joining EΛOL, one of the leading Digital Financial Advisory Agencies in Singapore, you will get the opportunity to be mentored by some of the top financial advisers in the industry, and enjoy a better work-life balance with unlimited income.
At EΛOL, there are endless possibilities for you to elevate your life. The bigger your dreams and goals, the better. Want to turn that goal of yours into reality? Click here and one of our financial advisers will reach out to you.