Emily Agresta

I would definitely say I had a lot of good mentors through the way of working in the financial services industry, so I would say the mentors, first and foremost. But then as you're actively meeting with people, you find a lot and a passion for changing people's lives. Having a genuine interest in what I do has been crucial, and those good mentors combined with discovering that passion for making a real difference in people's financial futures is what has driven my success.

The best career advice I've ever received came from a guy I worked with, and it was to serve people how you would want to be served in this world. That advice has really stuck with me and guides how I approach my work with clients every day.

The first couple of years are very hard, but you just gotta keep your head down and keep moving, and it gets better, as long as you put in the drive for it. Don't give up during those challenging early years because if you stay committed and work hard, things will improve and you'll find your footing in this industry.

I think the biggest opportunity in this field is that, one, there's not that many female advisors, and so obviously if people do want to work with a female advisor, I think I have kind of a leg up in that stance. But then also, there's a lot of financial professionals leaving this industry, so people need help. There's a lot of people that went into it 50 years ago, but there's not a lot of people going into it now, so I really think that gives me a value. The combination of being a woman in a male-dominated field and entering at a time when many advisors are retiring creates significant opportunities for someone like me.

Definitely integrity. That goes for family and work. Integrity is a big value of mine. And being kind to everybody is also extremely important to me, both in my professional relationships and my personal life.