From Passion to Purpose: Guest Article from Advisor Sarah Carlson

As we celebrate the incredible achievements of women this International Women’s Day, I’m especially mindful of those who’ve come before me and opened doors in the financial services industry. From family members to professors and colleagues, I’ve had wonderful mentors that empowered me with the confidence and passion to pursue a career as a financial advisor. And now, it’s my turn to empower the next generation.

Today, women make up an estimated 20-30% of the financial advisor workforce, and there’s room for more.¹ But I believe there’s never been a better time for women to create opportunities in this business. With nearly 40% of current advisors ramping up to retire over the next decade, there are tremendous opportunities for younger advisors to partner with established teams, combining their technological skills with the conversational and in-person interaction skills of older advisors.²

Now thirty years into my own journey, I can confidently say that being a financial advisor is part of my purpose. Financial advice isn’t just about the mechanics of accounts and tax planning; it’s also about the psychology of helping people overcome their financial fears and achieve their goals. I help my clients understand how to use money as a tool that can make their life better. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them achieve financial independence and work because they love what they do, not because they have to make ends meet.

At the end of the day, we all have a finite amount of time and energy — how are you going to spend it? If you can help people have peace of mind and confidence on their path of what’s most important to them, it’s pretty incredible.

I’m amazed that I make a good living doing what I love, and LPL has been such a fantastic partner along the way. When I came to LPL 16 years ago, it was so exciting because they wanted to innovate, embrace new technology, and include advisors like me in the creation and development of new solutions. It’s been a fantastic journey, and I hope every person can find that level of satisfaction in their chosen career. 

Read Sarah’s interview with Advisor Hub

How LPL Financial Empowers Women Advisors

Did you know LPL has the highest number of women financial advisors among wealth management firms in the industry? Join the more than 4,000 women advisors who benefit from the support, flexibility, and independence at LPL.³

Sarah Carlson is the founder of Fulcrum Financial Group and author of Facing Financial Fears: 8 Steps to Financial Freedom for Women. A graduate of Yale University with a degree in economics, Sarah is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Life Underwriter®, Chartered Financial Consultant®, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®).