Today we’d like to introduce you to Merry-Ellen Bryers.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Over 12 years ago, I decided to make a career change to Thrivent and be a Financial Advisor. It began with my dad talking to the Thrivent guy at church, and asking about if Thrivent was hiring. It was not a career I had considered prior to that time, but it has been a wonderful change. It is very rewarding to help people become more financially secure and work towards their goals. I feel as if my job is putting the puzzle pieces together, and everyone is different. I get to problem solve and figure out what the best fit is to get them to their personal and financial goals.
For the past 3-4 years, I have been working on a team: The New Hope Group. We play to our strengths, and are well balanced between our strengths and weaknesses so that our clients get the best experience. While I know I am capable of doing it all myself, it is much more fun with a team!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course it hasn’t been a smooth road, but I’m a firm believer of listening to your gut, your higher power, or whatever you want to call that feeling that drives you. I had a baby a few years after beginning my career here, and it was not an easy obstacle to navigate. I ended up wanting something with stable hours and pay for a few years, so I worked as an advisor on our virtual advice team for that time. Then I transitioned back to my team that I am currently a part of, and couldn’t be happier. Building your business always gives you your challenges, but luckily I get to navigate all of that with my team, and we tackle it all together.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Thrivent is a little different that most other financial services companies. We are not owned by corporate shareholders. In fact, we are a membership company and because of our Fraternal nonprofit status, we are able to bypass corporate taxes and give all that money back to the community through other nonprofit organizations to the tune of millions of dollars per year.
A little closer to home, the New Hope Group is comprised of 4 main partners and some junior advisors. My specialty within our group is Dedicated Planning – or in other words, wholistic planning advice for a fee. I love looking at the whole picture and discussing with my clients where I see problems or advantages, and how to fix or utilize them. We look at tax efficiencies, retirement, estate planning, and other protective measures. We discuss our clients’ values, align them with their goals, and use money as a tool to accomplish them.
Between the 4 partners, we have over 5 decades of Financial Services experience, and we are very focused on the relationship with our clients.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
There are so many characteristics that are important, but I think Integrity sums up most of it. Integrity envelopes honesty and competency. It is important to lead every conversation with integrity. People should intuitively feel this quality within you if you have it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://connect.thrivent.com/new-hope-group
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewHopeGroup.Thrivent/#
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merryellenbryers/
