Why I Became a Financial Advisor: Working With Clients Underserved by the Advising Industry
Choosing a career path can be one of life’s most difficult decisions. But when you have a personal reason motivating you toward a specific goal, that can inspire you to pursue a career fueled by purpose and passion. For me, the goal was to help those who are underserved in the advising industry, particularly minorities. The personal reason driving this goal was my family’s experience with their employer’s retirement plan.
I always wanted a career that would allow me to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and help them realize their goals and dreams. With an interest in finance and a passion driven by personal experience, I decided to pursue a career as a financial advisor.
Building My Career
I always knew I wanted to work with people, particularly in the finance world. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management helped move me toward that goal, but something was missing. I discovered my true purpose when helping my mother, an immigrant, with her retirement benefits as she prepared to retire from Kaiser Permanente. As a first-generation American, it was my responsibility to translate for my family. This opened my eyes to the stress and anxiety that important financial decisions can cause for many retirees. Many employers have complex benefits plans which most employees don’t fully understand. They need someone to help them fill the knowledge gap—and that’s where I come in.
I first became a financial advisor in 2012 while working for The Retirement Group as a Financial Analyst and later as an Investment Advisor Representative. During my more than 10 years of experience in those roles, I became aware of the disconnect of financial literacy from education, especially for minorities. This fueled my desire to want to help the underserved community even more.
Branching Out
In September of 2022, I joined Farther Finance as a Managing Director of the Focus Team, which allows me to serve employees of specific Fortune 500 companies as they navigate their retirement plans. There is a gap between what these HR departments can provide and what an average financial advisor would understand. The clients I work with need someone who is well-versed in the intricacies of their specific retirement plans. I can fill that gap for them with my specialized knowledge of those specific employers’ plans.
I provide services to pre-retirees working for specific companies in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York areas, and can help with financial planning, tax and estate planning, and retirement planning. My goal when working with all my clients is to simplify the complexities of their benefits plans and make it easy for them to understand. I help clients understand and maximize their benefits so they can enjoy their retirement worry-free.
Why I Love What I Do
One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is helping clients succeed and make the best of a negative situation, such as getting laid off. It’s very rewarding to help people realize they have options and their situation may not be as difficult as they thought. I especially love working with minorities and the underserved community because those are the people who need the most support. I work hard at my profession so I can make a difference in the lives of regular people.
Are You Ready to Feel Confident About Your Retirement?
I understand how overwhelming it can feel to try and navigate your employer’s benefits plan, especially when the HR department doesn’t provide the assistance you need. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. That’s where the help of an experienced advisor, with specific knowledge of your plan, can make a world of difference.
At Farther, our Focus Team provides comprehensive wealth management and retirement planning services to help your wealth grow for generations to come. I would love to help you feel more confident about your financial future by giving you clarity and empowering you to make decisions that make your dreams a reality. To get in touch, please call (510) 229-0686 or email michael.lee@farther.com.
About Michael
Michael Lee is Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at Farther, a financial institution that combines expert advisors and cutting-edge technology to deliver a comprehensive, personalized client experience. Farther caters to high-net-worth professionals who are building generational wealth and need a more holistic approach to managing their money. Michael provides retirement and tax planning for employees approaching retirement and offers guidance tailored specific to clients’ employee benefits.
He’s passionate about helping people get the support they need—not just the super-wealthy executives, but everyday employees, from union workers all the way up the chain. He loves helping clients succeed and make the best of a bad situation, and making a difference in the lives of regular people.
