...On Continuity
(From left to right) Dan Snow, CFP, AWMA, CRPS, ’01 Financial Advisor; Mire Jonovski, AAMS, ’77, Investment Management Consultant, First Vice President, Investments; Dustin Martin, CFP, ’14, Financial Advisor.
Three generations of financial advisors lean on each other for success
What are the odds that three Lindner graduates end up at the same financial services firm? Pretty fair. Now what are the odds that three Lindner graduates, from three generations, can leverage their college and career experiences for the benefit of their clients? If you ask Mire Jonovski ’77, Daniel (Dan) Snow ’01 and Dustin Martin ’14, it’s a very special case, to say the least.
As leaders within their company, Raymond James, and among the region’s wealth management professionals, they have a lot to say about their college experiences that guided them through the many chapters of their respective careers..
… On owning your experience.
Mire: My parents and I emigrated from Macedonia to the United States when I was four years old. Being the first generation to go to college, there was never any, “Mom and Dad, what did you do when …?” It was all new ground for me. For us. Being a student who commuted, lived at home and helped with my parents’ business, pursuing co-op experiences and trying to stay engaged in my school life was a lot, but it was my life experience.
Dustin: I remember sitting with my mom in University Pavilion trying to figure out how much money to take out and figuring out scholarships. You’re 18 years old making a major purchasing decision ... it puts some extra pressure on you as you go through your classes and how you figure out what you want to do afterwards. It can be a little overwhelming.
… On Co-op.
Dan: Because of co-op I can say that, at age 41, I have 20 years of experience in this field. I’ve worked through two of the worst recessions in a generation. Co-op was a stepping-stone for my career, because even the co-op experiences I didn’t like taught me that I didn’t want to pursue those fields further.
Mire: Having a co-op organically creates a mentor-mentee relationship. You’re teaching them different aspects of the business. When your co-op to is coming to you and asking questions beyond the assignments you give them, that’s when you know you have a good one.
Dan: I actually met Mire through one of my co-ops. I remember going downtown to Walnut Street and meeting Mire in his office. He had an awesome view of the river, a little TV with CNBC on … I was sold. He represented success to me. I interviewed with JC Bradford (where Mire was at the time) when they were just starting to have co-ops. As the first one, I was the guinea pig. But I was able to get my series seven license during my co-op, actually talk with clients and make recommendations.
… On what excites them about coming to work every day.
Dustin: We get to support local families and small businesses. It’s pretty neat to be a small part of their success. Even though Raymond James is a large company with a lot of resources to offer, we’re able to offer highly personal service.
Mire: One thing I know, this job isn’t boring! We are in a position where we see the changes occurring in all parts of the economy and how international interactions impact the financial markets, which impact the plans we create for our clients.
… On the advice they’d offer to current college students.
Dustin: Just get involved as much as you can, as soon as you can. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Give yourself opportunities to meet people. Some of my peers would get hung up on making sure they got the best co-op or the best job with the best pay. Really, any experience is going to be interesting, and will likely lead you to the next thing. You’re going to learn a lot no matter what, so it’s important to just get out there and do something.
… And the memorable advice they still lean on.
Dan: I started my first job at age 16. My mother made sure that I would save half of my paycheck — whether I wanted to or not — for a rainy day, an emergency, you name it. She went to UC and was a single mom. She knew how valuable it was to take care of your own finances. I still remember that to this day. And that rainy day money helped me pay for my college education. That lesson even pushed me in the direction of this industry.
… On what impresses them about up-and-coming talent.
Mire: Technology is advancing more rapidly now than ever before in my career. Students and people Dustin’s age are so comfortable with technology and are flexible enough to adapt to it. I’m impressed with how quickly they’ll adapt to and incorporate those changes.
… On how they can best work together and with their colleagues.
Dustin: To Mire’s point about technology, it offers flexibility and helps us be more efficient, in our case. We’re able to spend more time actually talking to and getting to know our clients. You certainly need to be credentialed and have experience, but ultimately, this is a relationship business.
Mire: When prospective clients see me, they see someone who has a lot of experience in the industry. Then they’ll look at Dan and Dustin, and they’ll see continuity. I think that helps us develop, build relationships and keep those relationships not only with clients but also with the next generation.
Dustin: With our team structure, we have different perspectives. We’re not just three generations of UC grads, but three generations of advisors, too.
Opinions expressed in the above article are those of interviewees and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. Mire Jonovski, Daniel Snow, and Dustin Martin are Financial Advisors with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Office located in Blue Ash, OH. Raymond James is not affiliated with JC Bradford.