Jade McKay, Financial Planner, Essential Financial Advice and 2019 AFA Rising Star Finalist reveals how her love of working with people to make a difference led her to financial advice and how her proudest achievement is starting her business within six months of becoming an adviser, while also being a veterinary nurse!
- Why financial advice?
I love working with people and forming close connections with them. Helping them through the tough times and celebrating the milestones and achievements. This honestly must be the best job. It can be tough and brutal at times, but it all makes it worthwhile when you can make a difference no matter how big or small.
- What are you most proud of?
Jumping in the deep end and starting my business within 6 months of becoming an adviser. Also being able to balance my second career as a veterinary nurse and maintaining the work/life seesaw that we are all on – that takes some serious skills.
- Who inspires you?
I have two, the first one being my mentor Shonel Vuletich. I first met Shonel when I was first seeking some financial direction for myself and she inspired me so much that I decided to chase a career in Finance. She has guided me, given me the confidence and a slight push every now and then to get to where I am today. The second is Sir David Attenborough a legend in the animal kingdom who inspires me to fight for the ones who have no voice. His passion for our world and everything that lives in it is endless. If we could all adopt a small portion of that passion and love, imagine what our world could be like.
- What advice would you give to your younger self?
That pencil thin eyebrows are no longer in fashion ha-ha! But on a more serious note I would tell myself that I will find your passion, I will make a difference and to quote Bob Marly “don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is going to be alright.”
- Your most recent ‘high-five’ moment?
Becoming a finalist in the AFA rising star award and rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the business – I was a little star struck to be honest and probably more of a pinch me is this really happening moment.
- Your big hairy audacious goal for 2020?
Take financial planning on the road and offer my services to the more regional areas of WA – Yep the whole of WA. I will certainly be clocking up my KM’s on the car, but I have a great car karaoke play list.
- The one word you wish everyone would stop using!
Yes. Not to stop using it completely but not saying yes, all the time to things. My generation have a serious fear of missing out (FOMO) and I am seeing more and more clients with multiple bad debts, no savings and a crappy cash flow. We need to start saying “no” a little more often and stick to our longer-term goals.
