Moms know best. There’s no denying that. This Mother's Day, we asked Sequoia Financial employees to share a piece of advice from their moms that has stuck with them most over the years. Here’s what they said:
Lori Lyons, Associate Director, Client Service
My mom always told me to "Do your best in everything you do”
Noel Villajuan, Senior Director, Wealth Advisor
My mom would always say, "A happy man is a contented man" and growing up it would make me angry because I thought it meant giving up. Now, in my much, much older state, I realize it's about being thankful for what you have and using whatever gifts you have to be helpful to others. I'm grateful to her for allowing me to figure out the deeper meaning of the phrase on my own, rather than just giving me the full explanation. I'm sure the younger version of me would have just ignored it. A pretty amazing gift she gave to me.
Danielle Washington, Director, Wealth Advisor
If you don't know how to manage a little you'll never know how to manage a lot.
Chris Bentley, Senior Director, Digital Platform Support
My mom taught us that you can't truly change people - you can accept them for who they are. Sometimes, our expectation of receiving love from someone is more than they are capable of giving. It made more and more sense the older we got.
Dawn Patton, Associate Director, Client Service
Don't wait until someone asks for help. Look around to see who needs help and what needs to be done and step up to do it...be willing to do anything for anyone. Do it with humility, the right motives and no expectation of recognition or reciprocation.
Scott Berry, Vice President, Financial Advisor
Don't chew with your mouth open
Alan Zinkin, Vice President, Private Client Services
"Go with your right foot!" and "I'm on your shoulder!"
Heather Welsh, Vice President, Wealth Planning Department Leader
"It's ok to change your path - but you have to have a plan." Guess it stuck since I ended up focusing full-time on planning! Probably a better one to focus on than, "Suck it up & deal." :)
Jill Branthoover, Senior Director, Wealth Advisor
This mantra, holds a special place in the hearts' of Mom & I, although not delivered specifically as
"advice." We can't change the past, have no idea what God has in store for us, and we just need to make the most of and be thankful for every moment together.
Leon LaBrecque, Executive Vice President, Head of Planning Strategy
Look up, stand up, speak up, and when necessary, shut up.
Austin Stull, Marketing Research Analyst
My mom always emphasized before we went out in public or went into someone's house - "Use your manners". As a kid, I thought wow, I know to say please and thank you. However, as I've gotten older and met more people I realized that using your manners hasn't been instilled in everyone.
My mom also gave me this advice when you are listening to someone's struggles. - Don't say you understand because everyone's situation is different. The best thing you can do is tell them that you are here to listen and talk to them whenever they need it.
John Marchand, Senior Vice President, Advisor Group Lead
Don’t sweat the small stuff and dig your heels in on the big stuff
Annie McCauley, Executive Vice President, Chief Client Experience Officer
"Once you're out of school, you're on your own. The decisions you make until then will shape the rest of your life." - This really shaped how I thought about rebelling. It's really no fun once you realize you're screwing up your own future vs. just pissing off your parents!
Jennifer Koch, Senior Vice President, Organizational Development
My mom always told me I could accomplish anything I wanted if I set my mind to it and didn't quit when it got hard. This advice led me to really figure out what I truly wanted and gave me the support I needed to try new things and not be afraid of setbacks but to persevere.
Heather Walters, Senior Director, Asset Management
"Don’t worry about what other people think, be YOU"