Her Story
About Barbara
I've been in financial services for 45 years, starting in life insurance back in 1980 because I wanted to help people understand it. That was my whole focus - trying to help people. About 30 years ago, I transitioned into financial advisory work, where I mostly do investments and that type of thing. I'm independent and work through Cambridge with my own company, Kubesh Investment and Financial. Most of my work involves taking care of clients, and a lot of them are in the retirement area or getting into retirement, so I guide them through that process. I also work with new clients who have been referred to me and need help planning their retirement. I try to help people build their retirement savings when they're young, because that's the most important time - even just $50 a month can really help. I have a degree in art, which is the total opposite of what I'm doing, but I found that experience has helped me because when you design plans for people or try to guide them, the artistic mind comes into play. You don't have to be an economist - it's about reading people. I spend a lot of days at kitchen tables trying to help people understand things and make it easier for them to comprehend what their goals are. What I love most about my job is that I have a ton of friends - my clients are my friends. They really trust me, and I love helping them. I think that's the main thing - I just really enjoy being that person for them.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Barbara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to making it through and sticking with it, because it was a man's world when I started and very few women were doing it. I think just sticking with it is my most important accomplishment - having the faith that I can make it. It was tough because I never had a salary the whole time, and I was a single mother doing it all myself. So I guess that's my most important thing - just persevering through all of that.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say just really stick with it. Don't get scared, or don't think that you can't do it. Just hang in there - it's one day at a time type of thing, because it can be hard. It can be really tough. Back in the day, I dealt with a lot of the male thing - it was really prevalent at that time. I don't know if it's not so much anymore, but just get a tough skin, I think. Hold your head high, and know that you're doing the right thing.
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