Experienced Financial Advisor Puts Down Roots in Aptos
By Maggie Caldwell
Julie Tauriainen is Aptos’ newest Edward Jones Financial Advisor, bringing to the community the experience of a unique career path that’s given her a broad range of knowledge and experience. Her first brush with the world of financial advising came one Christmas; her parents gave her and her two younger sisters money and an appointment with their financial advisor. “It was really a lifestyle gift,” she points out.
A life-long Alaskan, she graduated with a degree in psychology then started her career working for the Social Security Administration as a claims representative. She became an entrepreneur, and then worked in politics as Chief of Staff and Finance Aide for a state representative. After several years she left to serve as Executive Director of the local Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. In 2002, her financial advisor — that very same financial advisor she was referred to by her parents, recruited her to Edward Jones. “My background along the way has really prepared me for this work,” she says. “I’m very goal-oriented, both with clients and in my personal life.”
Julie moved to Aptos from Seward, Alaska a year and a half ago with Edward Jones. “It was a huge move,” she says. She had been actively looking for a chance to take on more responsibility, but points out that, once you’ve lived in Alaska, “It’s hard to choose where you’ll live next!” Then during a freak mid-May snowstorm, Julie received two messages. The first was from the corporate office asking if she’d be interested in an opportunity in Aptos. The second was from her assistant, Michelle Zimny, commenting on the snow and capriciously asking if they could move the whole office somewhere warm. “The stars aligned,” Julie says. “My husband and I were on a plane two days later to visit Aptos.”
Michelle had only been Julie’s Branch Office Administrator for three months when they made the move. “It’s unorthodox,” said Julie. “I’m really happy we’re a team. We have complementary personalities. As soon as I knew Michelle was coming, I knew we’d be successful. It’s better than we ever anticipated; it’s definitely a team effort.”
Julie already has numerous career highlights that point to her professionalism and success. She received an Excellence in Profession award from her local chamber of commerce in Alaska and was named one of Alaska’s prestigious “Top 40 Under 40.” Julie was also honored with an invitation to Edward Jones’ Managing Partner Conference, an honor given to the top 3% of the firm. “I was one of 24 women attending,” she remembers. “It was a celebration of success.” And this past fall, she was on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for the closing bell.
“I’m thankful for all the opportunity the company has allowed us,” she says. “Aptos is a perfect fit for my business and my family.”
Join us for our seminar on Maximizing Your Social Security Income, Wednesday, January 21st at noon. Call 831-662-4565 for more details.
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Edward Jones Financial Advisor Julie Tauriainen is located in Aptos at 9055 Soquel Drive, Suite D. You can call her or Michelle Zimny at 831-662-4565.