Episode 7 - Defying age and cultural norms

On today’s podcast, we break the myth that a money matriarch must be an older woman from a particular background. We introduce Jennifer L. Llerena, a millennial who grew up in an immigrant family. We hear her perspective as a grandmillennial, her generation’s struggle with student debt, just edging past the cutoff in employment opportunities before the 2008 financial crisis, and her insights on rising home prices. Jennifer also discusses the expectation and the emergence of remote job availability and how these factors have changed family planning and spending habits.Jennifer shares how being a woman and growing up in an immigrant family influenced her subconscious money story about her worth in the workplace and in general. She highlights the struggle women face in asking for what they want and the power of clearly speaking one's desires.Additionally, we explore how conscious and subconscious money stories for women of Jennifer’s generation, particularly in the age of Instagram, contribute to the normalization of living with debt and how she learned to take charge of that mentality.Lastly, we delve into Jennifer's journey into the financial planning world, exploring the unique value that women bring to the profession. Jennifer shares her experiences and insights on the contributions women make in financial planning, highlighting their strengths in empathy, communication, and holistic financial guidance.We also address the existing limitations and challenges that prevent more women from entering the profession. Jennifer discusses factors such as gender bias, lack of mentorship, and the demanding work-life balance that can deter women from pursuing careers in financial planning. We examine potential solutions and strategies to attract more women to the field, including creating supportive networks, promoting flexible work environments, and raising awareness about the rewarding opportunities within financial planning.Through Jennifer's story and perspectives, we aim to inspire and empower more women to consider careers in financial planning and to advocate for a more inclusive and diverse industry.About Jennifer:Before joining WEG, Jen directed operations for a $1B RIA based out of her hometown in Miami, FL. She has 20 years of experience in the RIA space, working with advisors, and managing client service and operations. Over the past 3 years, in her role as Sr Integration Manager at WEG, she’s harnessed her intimate understanding of the client experience and what it takes to make advisors successful to lead & refine integrations at WEG.