Advisor Spotlight: Lily
A Bit About Lily
Lily enjoys getting to know her clients and understanding what truly matters to them. She loves using financial modeling to identify their top priorities and tailor strategies to help them achieve their goals. We asked her a few quick questions to highlight what makes her an invaluable financial advisor to have on your side.
Lily, tell us a bit about yourself!
I was born and raised in the Bay Area and love it here! In my free time, you can find me hiking, at a concert, trying new restaurants, or planning my next trips (which are usually centered around food!).
I'd love to hear about your favorite recommendations!
What does “Financial Wellness” mean to you as an advisor?
To me, financial wellness means achieving a clear and sustainable balance between living fully in the present and securing a comfortable, worry-free retirement.
It involves having a well-thought-out financial plan that allows for both immediate enjoyment and long-term stability, ensuring that I can meet my current needs and desires without compromising my future security.
If I were new to my financial wellness journey, what advice would you share?
Congratulations on taking the first step and considering working with a financial advisor. Finances and money can be hard to talk about, and we are here to provide you with a judgment-free space to discuss these sensitive topics.
The very first tangible step in this process is to create a budget, as it is the core component of all financial planning. Keep in mind that personal finance is exactly that—personal. What works for one person might not work for you.
It is also important to note that it is an iterative and dynamic journey. Similar to hiking, this process may have loops and switchbacks as you build awareness, set goals, create a plan of action, and establish habits to achieve those goals. Throughout this journey, we’ll routinely re-evaluate your priorities and make adjustments along the way.
It’s never too late to start learning about your finances and improve your financial situation and future outlook.
What are some of your favorite aspects of working with new clients?
I like diving into their financial goals and models! This process gives me a deeper understanding of who they are, what they value, and their concerns. On the technical side, it can range from straightforward tasks to other times where it’s a fun puzzle to solve.
This can lead to engaging conversations about how clients envision their goals and future. These insights enable me to personalize strategies to help our clients achieve their life goals, making the experience rewarding and meaningful.
Do you have an exciting client success story you can share?
One of my favorite client success stories involves helping a client purchase their first home earlier than they anticipated. Like many of our clients, they had accumulated a large amount of company stock but were unsure about when or if they should sell.
We had in-depth discussions about viewing their stock as an extension of their income, determining how much home they could afford, considering the risk versus reward of holding, and identifying which tax lots to sell to generate the necessary funds. I connected them with one of our trusted referral real estate agents, and they successfully closed on their new home within the year. This journey was incredibly rewarding, knowing we made a significant positive impact on their life.