Novice investors turning to financial planners
The owners of a financial planning firm are finding the weakening economy driving novice investors to look for assistance.
It's a time when the self-investors many need a little help, say Judy VanArsdale and Ursula Daley, who own EnRich Private Wealth Management in Lake Zurich.
The women say people are looking for advice more now than in a thriving economy.
The owners, who launched their own firm at 795 Ela Road, Suite 110, several months ago haven't altered their approach in running a full-service financial planning firm. They say educating clients based on their individual needs is still the bottom line.
"By assisting with the investment and management of retirement assets and non-qualified accounts for individuals and business owners, EnRich creates true partnerships with clients -- providing advice for life," VanArsdale said.
The target client for the firm is someone with more than $250,000 in assets for investment. About 65 percent of their clients are women.
"We've seen women have a comfort level with us. We're easy to talk to," Daley said.
The owners stress that they look at the "big picture" taking a holistic approach.
Daley said they talk with clients about long-term care planning, retirement and college savings and general investments.
"We don't take a cookie cutter approach," Daley said.
The women also hold workshops in a casual setting to address investment topics.
Prior to launching the business, the women worked together for two years at a financial planning firm in Des Plaines. Before they became advisers five years ago, they worked in the corporate world.
VanArsdale served as vice president of national accounts for the McKesson Corp., a Fortune 100 company. The Kildeer resident said she helped big companies make money. With the same philosophy, she enjoys switching her focus to a more personal level.
Raising two children, it was the 9/11 terrorist attacks that led her to switch careers. She was looking for something closer to home.
"I was doing a lot of traveling. My kids didn't want me to go on a plane anymore," she said.
Daley worked in the financials services industry as an attorney with Fidelity Investments, Morgan Lewis in Philadelphia and LPL Financial in Boston before making the decision to work closer to her Hawthorn Woods home.
"I found that becoming a financial advisor, I could directly impact people's lives," she said.
For more information, call (847) 550-1500.
Wii winner: The Lake Zurich Invitational Networking Committee, a business networking group, awarded a Wii game to Lake Zurich resident Yvonne Taylor.
The game was awarded during the recent Lake Zurich Expo held by the chamber.
LZINC, a group of 29 area businesses, reported that it had more than 200 visitors register to win the Wii game and stop to hear about the group. The Web site is LZINC.org.
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Kevin O'Donnell, Josh Schilb, and John Millner represented the tenant as he relocated his main medical office, which practices physical medicine and rehabilitation.
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The "Escape to the Islands" event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 10. Network and unwind after work in a tropical casual setting. Drinks and food are optional and on your own.