In this run about world today of roller coaster investments and sketchy funding, one requires the consultation from an experienced and proven team, you will find this with Marcella and LBG Financial Services.
Copa: Where are you originally from Marcella?
Marcella: I am originally from Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies however, I spent most of my life in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Marcella: I am originally from Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies however, I spent most of my life in Prince George's County, Maryland.
Copa: When did you realize the importance of the value of a dollar?
Marcella: I would have to say, during my college years when I worked in my parents business as a bookkeeper. Working with my parents as business owners in the area of accounts payable, receivable, payroll, etc. gave me a different perspective on money than I would have had if I was an employee working for someone else. However, my true understanding of money came during my studies while pursuing my license to become a financial professional.
Marcella: I would have to say, during my college years when I worked in my parents business as a bookkeeper. Working with my parents as business owners in the area of accounts payable, receivable, payroll, etc. gave me a different perspective on money than I would have had if I was an employee working for someone else. However, my true understanding of money came during my studies while pursuing my license to become a financial professional.
Copa: Did your parents always have a good financial strategy?
Marcella: I believe they did. I grew up watching my parents work together as a dynamic duo. My father handled the business and my mother handled the finances. My mother would set financial goals and achieved them. However, I only saw the motions and the results of their work. I was an adult when I finally found what my parents accomplished financially and how they did it. I was not exposed to the process, which I believe leads to the inability to maintain generational wealth for many families. It is not enough for our children to see us accumulate material possessions. We need to expose them to the process of setting financial goals, opportunities to make money, how to save money and achieving short and long term financial goals. Knowing what I know, I would have learned so much more at a younger age if I were able to learn from my parents as well as my academic studies.
Marcella: I believe they did. I grew up watching my parents work together as a dynamic duo. My father handled the business and my mother handled the finances. My mother would set financial goals and achieved them. However, I only saw the motions and the results of their work. I was an adult when I finally found what my parents accomplished financially and how they did it. I was not exposed to the process, which I believe leads to the inability to maintain generational wealth for many families. It is not enough for our children to see us accumulate material possessions. We need to expose them to the process of setting financial goals, opportunities to make money, how to save money and achieving short and long term financial goals. Knowing what I know, I would have learned so much more at a younger age if I were able to learn from my parents as well as my academic studies.
Copa: What encouraged you to become involved with professional financial services with LBG?
Marcella: My interest in finance began with my own desire to understand the process of preserving my families legacy (historical, financial, etc). As I began to study other cultures, I noticed a common factor that separated the haves and the "have nots" - it was financial knowledge or lack of it. As I passionately pursued my own quest to gain financial wisdom, my desire to educate and serve others grew - thus, the birth of LBG Financial Services.
Marcella: My interest in finance began with my own desire to understand the process of preserving my families legacy (historical, financial, etc). As I began to study other cultures, I noticed a common factor that separated the haves and the "have nots" - it was financial knowledge or lack of it. As I passionately pursued my own quest to gain financial wisdom, my desire to educate and serve others grew - thus, the birth of LBG Financial Services.
Copa: What is your philosophy to personal financial wealth, financial healing and financial planning?
Marcella: "Financial Education is the Key to Financial Success". This is why we put forth an extra effort in providing our clients with educational resources to help them develop their financial acumen. Individuals can no longer afford to play the money game without understanding the rules, nor can they simply hand their money over to a financial professional and assume her or she know what they are doing. Investors must be in the know. You do not have to know all of the technical details of financial planning but you have to educate yourself with just enough education to ask the right questions to your advisor. This will make them accountable to you and provide you with enough knowledge to have piece of mind in your financial journey.
Marcella: "Financial Education is the Key to Financial Success". This is why we put forth an extra effort in providing our clients with educational resources to help them develop their financial acumen. Individuals can no longer afford to play the money game without understanding the rules, nor can they simply hand their money over to a financial professional and assume her or she know what they are doing. Investors must be in the know. You do not have to know all of the technical details of financial planning but you have to educate yourself with just enough education to ask the right questions to your advisor. This will make them accountable to you and provide you with enough knowledge to have piece of mind in your financial journey.
Copa: Do you feel that there is a distinct difference in how men handle their finances as opposed to how women handle theirs?
Marcella: Men and women process many things differently and money is one of those things in many cases. Here are a few differences in the way women and men relate to money. Women are inclined to take a more holistic approach to planning their financial future. Men are likely more to make quick decisions based on "hot" tips. Women generally feel burdened by the worries that go along with increasing responsibilities that require greater financial decisions. Men tend to see themselves as more analytical and open to taking greater financial risks. And while women perceive arguments about money as issues of power and control, men are more likely to attribute them to a lack of trust. These differences do not have to be a problem in relationships if both parties are aware of these differences and make it a point to consistently to discuss their finances before there is an issue.
Marcella: Men and women process many things differently and money is one of those things in many cases. Here are a few differences in the way women and men relate to money. Women are inclined to take a more holistic approach to planning their financial future. Men are likely more to make quick decisions based on "hot" tips. Women generally feel burdened by the worries that go along with increasing responsibilities that require greater financial decisions. Men tend to see themselves as more analytical and open to taking greater financial risks. And while women perceive arguments about money as issues of power and control, men are more likely to attribute them to a lack of trust. These differences do not have to be a problem in relationships if both parties are aware of these differences and make it a point to consistently to discuss their finances before there is an issue.
Copa: What is the number one problem that you see in how individuals mismanage their financial affairs?
Marcella: It's easy to say that the number one problem is that we live in a society that spends more than we make but I do not believe that is the problem. That is merely a symptom of the problem. The problem lays deeper and can be linked to several issues. One of those issues is lack of accountability. We can look at it as the same reason why many people do not like visiting the doctor or engaged couples avoid pre marital counseling. We do not want someone putting restrictions on us as to what we should not be doing. But in fact, we already know what we could be doing. Once we change our perspective on accountability and seek it, we would avoid wasting years and possibly thousands of dollars on trying to just figure it out ourselves.
Marcella: It's easy to say that the number one problem is that we live in a society that spends more than we make but I do not believe that is the problem. That is merely a symptom of the problem. The problem lays deeper and can be linked to several issues. One of those issues is lack of accountability. We can look at it as the same reason why many people do not like visiting the doctor or engaged couples avoid pre marital counseling. We do not want someone putting restrictions on us as to what we should not be doing. But in fact, we already know what we could be doing. Once we change our perspective on accountability and seek it, we would avoid wasting years and possibly thousands of dollars on trying to just figure it out ourselves.
Copa: In your seminars, what areas to you usually focus on?
Marcella: We hold seminars on Investing, Retirement and Women & Money. In these seminars we address various matters relating to the topic (what, when, why and where) as well as a deeper approach to the mindset behind money decisions.
Marcella: We hold seminars on Investing, Retirement and Women & Money. In these seminars we address various matters relating to the topic (what, when, why and where) as well as a deeper approach to the mindset behind money decisions.
Copa: Educate, Investigate, Create. We understand that your company stresses these methods...can you break them down for our readers?
Marcella: We strive to EDUCATE individuals on the facts - not the fluff! How money works and how money moves. Once you are educated and the facts, you now have the power to INVESTIGATE your options and make knowledgeable decisions. Now you are prepared to CREATE a lifetime of financial strategy that will put you on the road to financial security and peace of mind.
Marcella: We strive to EDUCATE individuals on the facts - not the fluff! How money works and how money moves. Once you are educated and the facts, you now have the power to INVESTIGATE your options and make knowledgeable decisions. Now you are prepared to CREATE a lifetime of financial strategy that will put you on the road to financial security and peace of mind.
Copa: Will there be any new seminars in the near future from LBG?
Marcella: We have quite a few seminars and classes in store for 2014. We will be rolling out Investor Education Series, Winter/Spring Semester starting January 14, 2014. It's free to the public. Readers may find more information about these classes at www.greatlbgevents.com
~Copa
Marcella: We have quite a few seminars and classes in store for 2014. We will be rolling out Investor Education Series, Winter/Spring Semester starting January 14, 2014. It's free to the public. Readers may find more information about these classes at www.greatlbgevents.com
~Copa
Marcella and her daughter Gabrielle J. Williams, Author of "The Making of an Entrepreneur."