Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Santiago.
Hi Abby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Started as independent contractor with a company called IDS, which later was purchased by American Express, our name changed to American Express Personal Financial Planners. in 2006 Amex spun us off to our own entity, Ameriprise. 51% owned by Amex, the next largest share holders are the advisors.
I began my career with Lehman Brothers. I felt disconnected calling people asking for 10K-100K to be mailed to LA office on a stock or options strategy.
I interviewed my parents financial planner who advised I go to IDS for their training, Best in the Industry she said. This is where I learned what true Financial Planners were and how they worked.
We started building clients through seminars, introductions and then we saw a need for advisors retiring, family illness and circumstances where they needed to entrust clients to someone else.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is very challenging to start from ground zero. Lots of rejection and cold calling does not work anymore.
When we transitioned to assisting advisors, the challenge was the advisor’s expectation to keep doing things the same way. Most clients, 95% appreciated the change to comprehensive planning and asset based management over transactional investments.
Then of course the DOT com bubble, the Great Recession and now – “the expectation this will never change.” Clients get accustomed to extraordinary results being the “norm” or they allow fear to cause selling assets that arent intended for 7 or more years out.
Lastly, the industry regulation has made it almost impossible for sole practitioners. Very similar to physicians’ liability and documentation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are 48 advisors working together in different locations throughout Florida. Many advisors, such as myself have clients in states outside of FL, as in AL, CA, NY, NJ, MA, NC, SC, LA, NV, WA, AZ etc.
We have a team of financial planners, Wealth Management Experts, Insurance Specialist, 401K planners, Tax and Estate planners.
It allows us to pull together the best from all those to provide clients with a streamlined experience.
We have been honored with Best in Class with Forbes, Fortune year over year.
What we are most proud of is the Fiduciary role we take seriously and abide by, We are only interested in helping our clients achieve what is important to them, to provide the guidance to give them peace of mind and to offer a wide variety of services and strategies to achieve them efficiently.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Our Mission statement “Helping Our Clients Achieve Financial Freedom, empowering them to Give Generously of Their Time, Talent and Resources to What Matters Most To Them.
Pricing:
- $600-$10,000
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/gratium-wealth-planning/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GratiumWealthPlanning/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gratium-wealth-planning/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQE4xnUEznB/
