Soon after founding my independent wealth management firm LexION Capital, I met a New York Times reporter. He was interested in doing a feature on the firm, our mission-driven approach and fiduciary standard. I turned him down, much to his surprise. At that point, early in my journey as an entrepreneur, I was concerned that press could detract from the mission rather than support it. I did not want any distractions from LexION Capital’s rigorously client-centric focus.
Then, one young woman radically changed my press-shy stance by asking a simple question. Could I recommend a role model for young women on Wall Street? I realized just how lacking we are in visible women leaders in finance. LexION Capital’s mission, first and foremost, is to serve our clients with ethical, transparent, fiduciary wealth management services. But as a firm, we also stand for building a better Wall Street–a more responsible, more inclusive, more relatable Wall Street. And so it became a carefully considered part of my personal mission as an entrepreneur to help other women see that Wall Street is our street, too. I share my story in the hopes that people see me and think, “If she can do it, I can do it.”
In my ideal world, LexION Capital would be the rule, not the exception. I look forward to the day when a fiduciary wealth management firm that is woman-owned and woman-run is commonplace!
More ideas on business leadership here! Dollars and Sense, my column on Inc.com
