“We need more creatives and artists in the financial industry to get more of the left and right brain thinking because our work is highly conceptual,” said Hussey. Not only that, but creatives and artists are usually entrepreneurial and innovative.
Hussey said most creatives and artists are perfect entrepreneurs because they’re usually good at marketing and career development.
Former Chef David Ortiz of Financial Chef Asset Management in Miami, Fla., is another creative that transitioned to the financial industry.
Ortiz is a classically trained chef turned software designer turned advisor. After working in the restaurant business for 15 years, Ortiz decided it was no longer suitable for him. “It’s a young man’s game,” he said.
So after a stint in computer software, he became an independent advisor. “It’s the type of field where you don’t have to retire,” he said.
Initially, Ortiz didn’t join his new love with his former one but after noticing his clients’ responses to his cooking background he decided to change his business concept and embrace the use of comfort food. He started cooking for his clients and moved into an office space with a kitchen.
“Food broke down the barriers when [I spoke] to someone about finances and families,” said Ortiz. “I used that as my marketing, my point of differentiation.”
After almost a decade in a brick-and-mortar, Ortiz is giving the place up to be mobile. His plan is to bring his services to his clients all over the country.
Whatever an advisors’ work history is, Hussey and Ortiz have shown that even non-traditional paths can lead to financial planning.
(David Ortiz of Financial Chef Asset Management.)