Some of her advisors have joined her firm because of the flexible schedule that allows time for family. Others have teaching backgrounds, like Michel, and want to educate clients. A lot of women leave the financial industry or avoid it because they do not think they can have both family and a career, but Michel does not believe that is true.
“We live and breathe our philosophy and the clients feel that,” she says. “Not everyone is a good fit. If a person is a wheeler and dealer he or she is probably not for us. Money and investments are only a means to providing the things that will help people fulfill their life goals.”
The firm’s approach to clients and investing enabled it to continue to grow during the 2007-2008 down market, a fact that Michel points to proudly.
Michel has four adult children who she helped put through college, and she also is helping to care for aging parents. That enables her to relate to clients facing some of those same circumstances.
Other advisors at Glen Eagle are just starting their careers or just starting families, which help them relate to younger clients.
Michel is involved in several business, women in business, and community organizations. Other advisors mentor inner-city youngsters or donate time in other areas. She says a person has to look for ways to ignite change, never knowing where the ripples of the dropped pebble are going to have an impact.
Because the family comes before the firm, all of the advisors are not in the office every day, but someone on the team can answer any client’s questions, Michel says.
Michel is proud of the awards she has received but says she did not do it alone. “I am not an island. I have a tremendous team. This is a business built on trust and comfort, and our clients need to feel that.”