Lynn S. Stebbins, financial adviser
Lynn S. Stebbins is a financial adviser at HJ Sims, joining recently from her previous job as vice president investments at David Lerner Associates, in Boca Raton. But before all this, Stebbins wanted to be a professional golfer, eventually becoming director of golf at Wycliffe Golf & Country Club in Wellington, where she worked from 1999 to 2015. Attention to detail, paired with strong analytical abilities, crosses industries and disciplines, says Stebbins. Additionally, when working in a club environment, or one-on-one with people regarding their personal finances, she says she finds that interpersonal skills are important.
Career Transition
The seed was planted: I met a golf club member who had her own financial firm. It would be 21 years later before I took the plunge into the finance industry.
Planning: I decided to resign from my position at the club. I took six weeks of vacation and spent three additional months to contemplating my future. I began the certification process on December 2015 and completed all licensing requirements by April 2016.
Unexpected traps: Being an experienced and knowledgeable worker in one industry and then becoming a novice in another was the greatest challenge.
Advice: Make sure you have the financial resources, proper support system and that you understand the challenges of the new industry before changing.
On-the-job strategies
Top personal professional goal :I am very new in the process of building my business and I have set modest goals for 2018. For me, it is crucial to have the client’s best interest ahead of my goals.
Industry wisdom: Know your client, understand their life, build a relationship and collaborate with their financial plan.
Professional development: Joined the FPA Financial Planning Association, working on my CFP designation.
Advice: Education is important, firm selection is also imperative; having a mentor in the industry is critical.
On the side: Reading: “Other People’s Money: The Real Business of Finance,” by John Kay