BUSINESS 101
EXECUTIVE
Business
101
Michelle Konkle, CFP®
Financial Consultant with a
Local Financial Strategies Firm
What motivates you?
The first thing that comes to my mind is my daughter. I am
motivated to create the best life possible for her. In doing
that, I am thankful for my career which has allowed me to
have flexibility and a work life balance. These things motivate
me to create a bond with clients which allows me to be able to
participate emotionally in their financial victories.
What is the biggest professional risk you’ve taken?
Simple stated, being a woman in a predominantly male
industry. Whether we want to believe or accept the reality,
there are very few women in a financial advisor or C suite
position within an organization; yet more times than not
we end up in charge our family’s financial well-being. I am
thankful to be on a team that values the different way of
thinking which I bring to the table. They have given me the
opportunity to face my fears and overcome the obstacles that
I had put in my own way.
What is most rewarding about what you do for a living?
The biggest reward in my line of work is helping individuals
to create and achieve financial freedom. I love being able
to see the smile on their face after several conversations
and assurances that their hard work has paid off and their
financial goal has been met. This of course means different
things to different people – it could be paying off student
loans, buying your first home, or being able to retire years
earlier than you had ever imagined!
EXTOL : DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020
47