Her Story
About Andrea
Andrea Chen serves as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, where she manages her own practice with clients across Oahu and the Big Island in Hawaii. With more than four years in the financial services industry, she focuses on investments, education savings, retirement income planning, estates planning, insurance sales, and general financial guidance for clients at various life stages. Chen holds CFP®, AAMS®, and CRPC™ designations, series licenses, and an insurance license, which she obtained after completing her bachelor's degree in business management. Her path to this role included early work teaching English and handling international business in China, where she became fluent in Chinese, followed by executive assistant and operational roles then establishing a Chinese language program at a local high school before transitioning into finance while pursuing her advanced degree. She has received internal prospecting and milestone awards, and she values the supportive culture at her firm that encourages collaboration among advisors.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a willingness to keep learning, take risks, and step into opportunities before I feel completely ready. My career path hasn't been linear and each new chapter has required me to adapt and grow. I'm naturally curious and driven to keep learning, but I also genuinely enjoy connecting with people. Trust and connection matter just as much as technical knowledge.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice has come in bits and pieces from leaders and peers over the years so I'll share the perspective I've developed from it all. Never depend on one deal or transaction to go through - plant seeds everywhere you are then circle back around. Some things depend on timing and being in the right place at the right time so focus on what you can control. One leader trusted me enough to let me figure out solutions for my mistakes rather than reprimanded harshly. It taught me to trust myself and take responsibility for my actions. Lastly, you can't decide something doesn't work until you've give it multiple tries and enough time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If it were easy, everyone would do it and don't underestimate what you bring to the table. This career can be incredibly rewarding but it takes time, hard work, and persistence. You are not only learning finance but are building and running your own practice. You have to trust the process and keep going through difficult periods. Sometimes the point when you're most tempted to give up is right before things begin to come together.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As AI automates many aspects of our lives, some may believe it could take over our profession. Although technology can provide information, analyze data, and even offer financial guidance, it can't replace the human relationship. A financial professional gets to truly know the person behind the numbers - their behaviors, fears, priorities, and what motivates them. We can recognize when someone needs reassurance, accountability, or a different perspective and we genuinely care about the person and the outcome.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust is at the heart of what I do, so integrity and authenticity are values I strive to carry into both my professional and personal life. My profession holds me accountable to a high standard of conduct, but I believe those standards should extend beyond the workplace.
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