Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Cooper.
Victoria, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story starts straight out of undergrad. I always wanted to work in investments and I started my career working for a financial data vendor and eventually worked my way onto a trading floor assisting brokers. After a couple of years, I wanted more and applied for business school. I moved from Connecticut, where I grew up, to Houston, to attend Rice Business for my MBA. While there, my courses were focused on investment management and I was on the M.A. Wright Fund, a student-run investment fund. I also interned as an analyst at a hedge fund. Alas, I graduated in 2007 and the job market for investments was bleak. I entered into dispute and expert testimony work spending two years in family law, tracing assets and valuing companies in divorce proceedings, and then over eight years in intellectual property and commercial damages analysis. After almost 11 years in my career, I decided it was time to make a change.
In April 2016, my husband and I took Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University (FPU) course. It opened our eyes to how much debt we had and inspired me to become a financial planner and a coordinator of FPU courses with my husband. There were two things I learned, one, I had lost purpose in what I was doing and, two, I had lost my work/life balance. I wanted a career where I could help people and I wanted to be able to spend more time with my family which includes a daughter, age six, and a son, age four. In October 2017, through the power of networking, I was introduced to Oscar Mondragon, one of the owners of Majors & Mondragon Wealth Management, and in January 2018, I made the leap and left my career to become a financial planner.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been many struggles along the way. My first was not valuing myself and understanding my full worth and potential. It took some amazing classmates at Rice to realize what I was capable of and really boost my confidence. Fast forward to the present and to my latest struggle of leaving what is comfortable and familiar for what is scary and unknown. Being a part of a family of four and going from 100% salaried to 100% commission is not an easy road. My advice to young women is make wise financial choices and start working with a financial planner early. My husband and I made many financial mistakes and while we think of where we could be, we are more excited about our future. Second, believe in yourself, you have a lot of potential, tap into it. Find your talent and exploit it. You will be much happier doing something you love versus something you like. Third, surround yourself with a great support network. Much of my professional growth comes from having great mentors at every stage in my careers. And last, it is okay to fail as long as you stand on your failures. Don’t let your failures define you, but let them define your success.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Majors & Mondragon Wealth Management – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As a financial planner at Majors & Mondragon, I focus on comprehensive financial planning. That means our services include financial coaching, insurances, investment management, education planning, retirement, legacy planning, etc. We take a holistic approach with our clients and tailor every plan to their needs and values. We help clients make smart and effective financial decisions through a relationship that is based on uncompromising integrity, trust, and personalized service. Driven by our core values, Majors & Mondragon offers clients an elevated standard of service marked by integrity, independence, expertise, and innovation. I chose to work at Majors & Mondragon because the company holds the same values and goals as I do. Majors & Mondragon has great leadership and mentorship, talented people, and a philosophy to put client interests and concerns first.
As a company, we have a portfolio manager, who is a CFA charter holder, and a tax architect in-house. Furthermore, through Dave Ramsey, we are registered as a SmartVestor Pro. Personally, I have my life and health insurance and Series 65 securities licenses. In addition, my life experiences related to personal finance and my goal to educate my clients and help them achieve their financial dreams is part of my uniqueness. Also, how many people have a financial planner that is also a SCUBA instructor?
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Growing up, my mom always told me that I have to work twice as hard as men, which is true, but amidst all the challenges there are so many opportunities out there for women today. I just entered an industry that is 86% men and while I work hard for my successes, there is so much opportunity for me to succeed and grow with my company. From direct sales to professional services, I know women in power roles in various industries. The best opportunity to be well positioned for is one that exploits your talents. Every woman has different talents. Some of us will recognize those talents early on and for some, it will take a long, twisted road before we realize our passion. I believe that women are well positioned to do anything. It is a matter of being passionate and having a purpose behind what you do.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10603 W Sam Houston Pkwy N
Suite 225
Houston, TX 77064 - Website: www.majorsmondragon.com
- Phone: 713.824.2468
- Email: victoriacooper@majorsmondragon.com
- Instagram: @VictoriaWalshCooper
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Victoria-Cooper-MBA-Majors-Mondragon-Wealth-Management-1824590177551991/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriawalshcooper/; https//www.youtube.com/channel/UCjUmaH-vX1FNFi3DkxMi5JA
Image Credit:
Lisa Embry, Frank Boyd
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