We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Arrick recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I always thought I would be in the science field forever. I had no idea that a lifetime of financial hardships and struggles would ultimately end up as a catalyst for my life’s passion.
I was raised by a single mother in poverty. She was a high school dropout working multiple jobs to provide for both of us. We relied on government assistance and I was a latchkey kid as she worked over 15 hour days to make ends meet. I experienced what scarcity and lack felt like for those early years of my life. When I was 10, my grandparents took legal custody of me and gave me a new opportunity at a better life; one that included home-cooked meals, extracurricular activities, and the ability to travel outside of my small town. They also ensured that I had everything I need to exceed in school and be the first in my family to attend and graduate college.
After college, I got married at the young age of 23 and spent the next 6 years navigating married life, joint finances, and my own issues with impulsive spending brought on by finally having money to spend. At 29, we ended up getting divorced and I had to navigate that process on my own with no resources or professionals to guide me. After my divorce, I was susceptible to being taken advantage of and endured two back-to-back relationships where I was financially and verbally abused. All the financial progress I had made was gone in a matter of a few years and my credit score dropped 125 points due to stupidly co-signing on a car loan with my ex that went into default.
Living on my own and avoiding dating, I vowed to learn more about my money so I couldn’t be taken advantage of again. I also knew I needed to be serious about saving for short-term and long-term goals and sought out any resources I could find that would help me make the right financial decisions. I decided to leave Florida and put myself into over $10,000 of credit card debt to move to Colorado and get a fresh start. Once I moved, I was able to work a second job in retail to pay off my debt and get a clean slate.
In 2020, I realized that my 13-year career in clinical research was no longer the best place for me to be. I didn’t feel challenged, I making less than 6 figures with a master’s degree and experience, and I was stuck in a cubicle staring at a computer for 8 hours a day. I knew I needed a career that allowed me to help others, interact with people regularly, and give me the opportunity to earn what I was worth. I spoke to my friend about my predicament and she mentioned that I would make a great financial advisor. A lightbulb came on and I realized what I needed to do; use my shared experiences to help others feel empowered around their finances.
I spoke to several female advisors to ask them how they got into the industry and interviewed with several firms before I found Transamerica Financial Advisors. I loved that the advisors at the firm looked like the communities we represent and the company had almost 50% women advisors. They also led with education first, which I thought was so important for the clients we served. They allowed me to get trained and licensed part-time as I was figuring out how to end my clinical research career. After a year, I turned in my notice and became a full-time financial professional.
After two and half years, I know I have found my purpose. I enjoy hosting financial literacy events, supporting women-owned businesses, and providing complimentary financial reviews to clients who traditional financial firms have turned away due to not having enough money to work with them. My passion is making financial guidance accessible to those who need it most and who never got the proper education to manage their finances effectively. I love what I do and I am so happy I can help others reach their financial goals!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My goal is to help clients feel better about their money. I do that through education, creating a holistic financial strategy, and making myself available as a financial guide whenever my clients need help. My services are complimentary so it allows me to help those that may not be able to afford an advisor or have enough in investments to work with a traditional firm.
One of the aspects of my job that I really enjoy is going out into the community to educate others. I host monthly Money Brunches that brings in subject matter experts to talk about different financial topics that are relevant to today. Secondly, I go into women’s homes and provide Ladies Money Happy Hours as an opportunity to teach women how to get more comfortable around money discussions and talking about money with others. Thirdly, I host monthly virtual financial literacy classes in different topics that will grow and enhance other’s understanding around money and teach them how to leverage their income, pay off debt, build up their savings, and reach their goals. Finally, my co-workers and I put on awesome events each year in Denver designed to support local women-owned businesses and teach women about their unique financial journey.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first one is resilience; I’ve had a challenging life that has tested me in many different ways and I am glad I was able to persevere and continue on my journey for a better life. I believe it has made me so much stronger than I would’ve thought possible.
The second one is faith; I knew I was destined to do something great with my life and I had to maintain faith that every step of my journey, both the good and the bad, was going to get me there. As soon as I stopped letting struggles and inconveniences get in my way, I developed the self-worth to continue until I achieved my version of success.
The third was a thirst for knowledge; I’ve always loved learning and continuously seek out new information that can better myself, my business, and my relationships. Whether it’s science, finances, spirituality, or self-growth, I am constantly reading, listening to podcasts, and seeking media that will allow me to become an expert and truly help others.
The advice I would give is that you don’t have to go through major hardships to build resilience; you just have to continue moving forward and not giving up. Faith can be developed in so many ways but the most important aspect is belief in yourself and your capabilities. Once you believe in yourself, the sky is truly the limit. Finally, I always recommend people make learning a continuous practice. Whatever your preferred media is, seek out topics and subjects that interest you and dive deep. The most successful people in life take time to read and learn and they are better for it.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am so fortunate that I get to partner with other professionals to provide my clients with a support system that can help them through life’s milestones. Whether it’s buying a house, having children, getting a divorce, or looking for ways to manage their debt, I try to leverage my business relationships when it goes outside my level of expertise.
Some professionals that I love to partner with are estate lawyers, realtors, mortgage lenders, P&C insurance agents, money coaches and therapists, and debt specialists to name a few. I currently work with clients and business partners in a few states such as Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, but I have the ability to work with others in the remaining states with the licensing I currently have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://snipfeed.co/financiallysuccessfulandsavvy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financiallysuccessful/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/financiallysuccessfulandsavvy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaarrick/
Image Credits
Mary Bandimere
