The Roberts Jackson Wealth Management Team at Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. understands that being a good financial advisor is about more than handling money—it’s just as much about building relationships.
With more than half a century of combined experience in the industry, the father-daughter duo of Thomas Roberts and Kristin Jackson know their business. When Roberts first entered the finance industry, it was more of a hobby. He had come to the Region as a chemist, and quickly worked his way up to be the chief chemist at a regional steel mill. Yet he found himself lacking passion for his day job.
“I’d made a pact with myself that I would be happy in what I was doing by age 30 and I realized that I only had one person to answer to—myself,” Roberts said. “I always loved finance, even in college. I found myself loving the markets more and more as I grew older. So, I made the industry change when I was 28, and never stepped back and regretted it for one minute.”
As for Jackson, being surrounded by Roberts’ passion for the industry while she was growing up left a strong influence on her.
“We were a family that always had dinner around the table, so we heard about the clients, we rode those markets with my dad,” she said. “Whether or not I really knew what was going on when I was younger, finance was always at our dinner table. He just enjoyed it so much that he was always educating us on our own accounts. That’s what took me into it.”
For financial advisors, who are entrusted with the livelihoods of their clients, being able to build strong relationships is fundamental to the job.
“Each client is different and unique, so sitting down with them and getting to know them is key,” Jackson said. “You kind of guide yourself through their situation with your own spirit, because you have to be a good listener to see what their expectations are for their money. Thankfully, dad has started such a great clientele that it’s generational. We stay with families, and that trust is built over many years.”
“Very simply, our clients are our friends,” he said. “Some of them have been with me for over 40 years. I’m 81 years old, and I continue to come to the office because I want to be there for my friends, and their families.”
The work a financial advisor does is much different than something like day trading. Investments are long-term, designed to provide security and greater returns over time.
With a thorough understanding of our clients’ objectives, we typically take a very conservative investment approach. We understand each client’s risk tolerance and will select portfolios suitable to meet their objectives.
Roberts and Jackson are backed by a team at Benjamin F. Edwards that appreciates the relationship-focused approach just as much as they do.
“It’s client first, always,” said Deanna Lindlow, Senior Financial Client Associate for Benjamin F. Edwards. “Whatever they need, we take care of—that’s our mission.”
Lindlow and Jennifer Espinoza, Senior Registered Financial Client Associate, are the arms and often voice behind the day-to-day customer interactions at Benjamin F. Edwards. They work with the Roberts Jackson team to keep both clients and the advisors updated and organized. “I’ve always liked working with clients,” Espinoza said. “I try to be a people person, so helping anybody—be it a client walking in the door or one of our advisors looking for help with notes—I like being able to be that go to person.”
To learn more about Benjamin F. Edwards, visit them at benjaminfedwards.com.