Leslie Swartwood, a homegrown heroine from the Santa Ynez Valley, takes care of your financial future with her attention to detail and true caring approach. With several years of higher education and practical mentorship, she brings her expertise to her hometown community.
When Leslie discusses investments, she genuinely believes in investing in your future and helping you secure it. She recognizes that no matter the financial situation or what goals you have with the right guidance, securing your future is still achievable. She’s motivated to see her clients through both challenging times and successful seasons.
What initially drew you to finance?
I had always enjoyed my finance classes in college. After graduating with a business management degree, I began working in recruiting during a time when many companies were downsizing and started a 401k with them experienced some success. As I explored other avenues for saving several years later, I connected with an Edwards Jones advisor and was eventually recruited by that same advisor. I became passionate about helping others achieve the same success I had seen.
What’s your favorite aspect of your work?
My favorite part about my job is witnessing people reach the goals they create with us. Many of our clients become close friends because we become deeply involved in their lives. We celebrate their successes and support them during challenging times. Additionally, working for Edward Jones fosters such a strong family-oriented atmosphere. My colleagues are incredibly kind and accommodating to one another. We genuinely want each other to succeed, and this family-oriented culture has translated into my relationships with my clients.
What’s the most common type of investment you find yourself advising clients on?
We truly tailor each client’s investment strategy to their unique goals and life stages. This personalized approach allows us to offer a diverse range of investment options. We don’t adopt a one-size-fits-all approach because it’s crucial for us to get to know each person individually. This personal connection fosters a sense of camaraderie with our clients, making them feel like family. We ensure our unwavering presence throughout their financial journey. The advent of Zoom during the COVID pandemic has enabled us to easily maintain clients from local to even out-of-state locations.
In your opinion, why is it so important to have a financial advisor? What advice would you offer to someone embarking on their financial journey?
No matter your experience, having a guide who can lead you is never a bad idea. Any outside noise can trigger emotional behavior in the stock market and derail you from focusing on investing for the long term, and having a financial advisor can help keep you from making costly mistakes. Ideally, you want an advisor who deeply invests in your goals and takes your successes and challenges personally. That’s what I strive for in my clients.
You want an advisor who deeply invests in your goals and takes your successes and challenges personally. That’s what I strive for in my clients.