What inspired you to work at Lantz Financial and when did you join the team?
I came to work with Mike in 2001 after 14 years of staying at home with my three children. When I started, I knew very little about the financial industry except I wanted to work with someone who was honest and ethical. I quickly began studying to better understand the job from the incoming mail to the logistics of portfolio implementation. Now with over 23 years of experience I still love my job and am often amazed at how much the industry has changed yet how little Lantz Financial has changed. Our desire to deliver exceptional service at a fair price is still at the forefront of our practice.
What is your background including any unique skills or characteristics that you want to share?
By nature, I’m a problem solver, and I love assisting clients and advisors in designing estate plans and income plans that function with each client’s specific needs in mind. Financial decisions can often cause stress for people. It gives me great joy to know that in some small way I helped a client through a difficult situation and helped them gain financial confidence and overall understanding of their accounts.
What are one or two things you do for clients on a day to day basis?
I consider myself a client advocate. I enjoy my job because no two days are ever the same, but if I had to nail it down to just a couple responsibilities I have for clients, first and foremost, I listen to clients’ needs and triage their request. Listening is vital and there are no silly questions. Providing excellent service is very important to me and in fact while at a predecessor firm I was honored to be recognized as an elite service professional.
Outside of the office, what would someone find interesting about you?
I love singing and began singing in church when I was very young. I once sang a solo a cappella in the New Orleans Super Dome. My three favorite stores are Home Depot, Joann Fabric, and Goodwill. I love Goodwill and am a sucker for an old piece of furniture in need of a little TLC or new purpose. True story – when I was studying long hours for the Securities exam, I used to treat myself to a Goodwill Run afterwards!
Is there anything personal you wish to share?
My Grandmother and Great Grandmother raised me and my two siblings in Montgomery, Alabama. In 2019 my 95-year-old grandmother came to be in my care, and in 2020 passed away in the beginning months of the pandemic. That was a tough time for me and my family, but I knew I was not alone with many of our clients experiencing the same situations with their loved ones. In 2024 my husband Harlan of 40 years passed away suddenly and again; I was walking through the same devastating experience that many of our clients had been through. Estate planning is a passion for me and one I like to share with friends, family, and clients. Family is everything to me. I have four adult children and eight beautiful grandchildren. Knowing they are prepared for life’s sudden changes gives me great satisfaction.