Why I Became a Financial Advisor (Scott)

By Scott Russell, CFP®

I’ve always been interested in business and finance, so it seemed only natural that I would end up as a financial advisor. However, I never knew my career would lead to what it is today, for which I’m so grateful.

Starting My Career

After graduating from the University of Florida, I entered the financial services industry in 1993. During these early years, I mostly worked in management and executive roles at a large broker-dealer.

While I loved working in finance, I realized I wasn’t passionate about corporate life. I wanted to work directly with families, as opposed to working at a large firm where I didn’t get to experience one-on-one interaction with clients.

I also wanted the opportunity to serve in a role where my personal experience could benefit families. Many years ago, my wife and I went through the complex planning process for a loved one with special needs. Even though I’d been in the industry for many years, I realized how vulnerable parents can be in those situations. There were moments when we felt that we would have written any size check to ensure our loved one was taken care of in the event something happened to us. In that moment, I knew that families in similar situations could benefit from an advisor they could trust.

With these two goals in mind, I left corporate life in 2013 to become a financial planner, and I haven’t looked back since.

My Role Today

Today, I am a partner at Concierge Financial Organization where I help families and business owners manage their finances. I aim to do this by assisting them to do what I did: be in a position financially to live their ideal life, which can mean having the ability to make a career change, retiring, or just having an improved sense of financial independence.

My clients tend to be successful professionals and families. They're also not afraid of allowing someone like me to analyze areas of their lives that they might not otherwise share, and they’re committed to implementing what’s needed to accomplish their important financial goals.

I believe clients choose to work with me because my approach is less intimidating than what they might expect from a typical financial planning engagement. I also focus on areas of their lives that aren't necessarily financially related, and through that process, we find out how I can help them to support those other areas financially.

The Hurdles and Triumphs

There are certainly challenges that come with this role. As I also serve as a partner at the firm, I have to balance my position as an advisor with my role as a business owner. Time management can be tricky, as my ultimate goal is to dedicate the time neccessary to provide my clients exceptional one-on-one service.

Despite the challenges, I can’t imagine having any other career. It’s incredibly fulfilling to experience my clients’ lives with them as their lives evolve, and I enjoy being there to help them when they need support or guidance.

Clients have entrusted me with the critical task of helping them pursue some of their most important goals in life, and I do not take this task lightly. Many of them have worked their entire lives to get to where they are, and it's my job to help them put into action what they need to reach their goals.

The Next Step

I’m passionate about helping clients implement a holistic plan that incorporates the many different financial areas of their life and allows them to take specific actions to pursue their goals. If you’re interested in partnering with a professional who can help you manage a plan as your life evolves, I encourage you to contact me for a complimentary consultation. You can reach me by calling 813-374-9676 or emailing scott@ourcfoteam.com.

About Scott

Scott Russell is a partner at Concierge Financial Organization with over 25 years in the financial services industry. First working at the institutional level of a broker dealer and investment advisor with over $28 billion in assets, he now serves families and business owners by providing financial planning advice. He uses his knowledge and experience to assist families and organizations with financial planning and investment management. In addition, he applies his personal experience to help families with children with special needs with their unique financial planning challenges. Learn more by connecting with Scott on LinkedIn.

Concierge Financial Organization is independent of Signator Investors, Inc. Registered Representative/Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. 1511 N. West Shore Blvd, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL  33607. 813.288-8800  513-20180806-467270