Camille’s Experiences, Education and Enlightenments (a.k.a. painful but powerful learning experiences)
I am not a financial advisor, meaning I don’t manage wealth for others for a small percent of their net worth each year. I have, however, hired and monitored numerous financial advisors over the years. I chose to be a writer, an investor and a business strategist for both myself and for others instead, based on my passion and purpose. My mission is to help other women become financially empowered, and three decades of experience, education and lessons from the school of hard knocks has prepared me well for this undertaking.
Always ask why you should listen to anyone before actually listening to them. Ask what has prepared them to help you?
Here’s some of what I’ve done that I believe has prepared me to help other women become financially empowered:
1980′s through early 2015, sort of in order, but I’ve done several things, like investing, for decades now…
5 Years Accounting for Commodities Trading (Over $10,000,000 deals, always, so I got comfortable with big numbers!)
Lead Accountant over a small team of accountants
Developed and implemented accounting system for crude oil and nat gas futures for one of the largest oil companies in U.S.
Bought my first home (mid 20′s)
Invested in my first mutual fund (age 22)
Began investing in the stock market (age 22)
Invested in stock market; made enough to leave accounting job (hooray!) and work for self in commercial real estate (mid 20′s)
Negotiated to set up research department with database of over 455 shopping centers while getting paid to learn the brokerage business at the top retail commercial real estate firm in Houston
Marketed, negotiated and leased shopping centers
Obtained Texas Real Estate Brokerage License
Bought, set up and leased my own first residential rental property (20′s)
Read Peter Lynch’s One Up on Wall Street (gift from Dad); Studied Value Line Investment Research and began actively investing in individual stocks
Read Forbes, Barron’s, about a hundred books on investing; realized the importance of, and became infatuated with, the topic
Structured, invested and managed multiple diversified portfolios in stocks, bonds and funds (late 1980′s to present)
Invested in small acreage on Lake Austin in Austin, Texas (1990′s)
Researched, interviewed, hired, fired and monitored various money managers (Financial advisors, RIA’s) (beginning early 1990′s)
Invested with hedge funds, partnerships, oil and gas funds
Hired and worked closely with several CPA’s to implement strategies for tax efficiency
Took the Federal Income Tax college course twice in 1980 and 1996 (And actually passed! It was just awful, but I learned a ton!))
After my dad’s sudden death, helped my mother navigate through individual stock and bond portfolio management, estate issues, taxes, and grief. (Never did find a money manager anywhere near as good as my dad…never have. We kept thinking we would. Boy, did I learn a lot through this pain!)) (mid 1990′s)
Did financial consulting for international and high net worth clients and companies (including a Forbes 400 family matriarch who was one of the most gracious women I’ve ever known; what a life lesson!) (early 1990′s)
Sold small acreage on Lake Austin and paid taxes on the sale (Made good money but have regretted it ever since, especially since I didn’t do a 1031 exchange due to living abroad: another lesson!)
Took courses for CFP (Certified Financial Planner); Decided being a CFP was not what I wanted to do after having to study insurance and analyze the cheapest checking account in my courses
Realized that earning 10% (with great timing) in stock market would not reach my financial goals so became obsessed learning alternative wealth strategies including oil and gas, real estate, angel investing, entity structures, option strategies, and business ownership – early 2000′s aha!
Survived the 2000-2002 technology bust, but it sure did hurt
Began studying securities technical analysis avidly to better understand and predict market cycles (early 2000′s)
Mid 2000′s bought fourplex outside Austin from an estate (anticipating growth in that direction) that generated income (and appreciation) during recession; excellent investment despite purchase in higher end of cycle since price was right; still own and manage
Lost value from partnerships, self and advisor managed money during bear market 2008 but learned tons, especially about market cycles
Developed and implemented an index and covered call strategy that returned 18% income for the year while maintaining only a 1% downside risk; Capitalized on high options premiums due to volatility in 2009
Researched existing small businesses to buy, and instead saw value in the extremely low capital required for online businesses; launched TheFinancialWoman.com based on a mission and passion, knowing almost nothing about online businesses, but thought it would be a great way to learn. (Later bought financialwoman.com name, another story)
Founded and launched financial education business (technical analysis and securities trading) with my husband (2010); now run this thriving business with him
Began learning everything about small business ownership, both lifestyle (expert and product) and private equity funding models (mid 2000′s)
Wrote my first book, Earn Grow, Give, and took it to Amazon best-seller status (2011)
Began speaking, including Texas Conference for Women, and emceed for David Bach at conference, after vowing I would NEVER speak on stage! (2012)
Received a JV Publishing offer from a Venture Capitalist to expand Financial Woman (2012)
Coached women on reaching their financial goals in group and private programs (2007-current)
Small business marketing and strategy consulting (2012 – now)
Conducted virtual and live workshops motivating and inspiring women to reach their financial and life and goals for financial advisors and other groups
Financial and inspirational columnist for WHOA magazine with major national distribution
Programs I’ve Completed So Far:
University of Mississippi – BA Business Administration with Minor in Accounting
Accredited Financial Counselor (Current; obtained 2014)
Texas State RampCorp (Small Business Startup Program for Women) 2012 and 2013
Digital Marketer Certified Funnel Consultant 2014
Digital Marketer “War Room” 2013 and 2014
Sheri McConnell Certified Membership Business Model Consultant 2012
Loral Langemier’s Round Table – 2007
Dozens of money management, income generation and small business programs
Other mentors: Ken Tower, Anne McKevitt, Kevin O’Leary, Ryan Diess, Alexander Green and hundreds of authors, speakers, experts and dynamic influencers
Biggest Takeaway’s from 3 Decades of Money Musings….
Mindset is everything; this is why almost all lottery winners lose their money
Deciding what you want runs a close second to believing you can have it as being a top priority
Taking deliberate actions, often outside of your comfort zone, is mandatory for wealth expansion, as well as personal growth
Capitalizing on trends expedites wealth accumulation
Earning 9% a year on an investment account builds wealth, won’t get you wealthy unless you already are. Creating large amounts of income and riding trends boosts wealth
Wealth building merits and demands your time and attention, and this often takes a lot of discipline, but it’s worth the reward
Hindsight is 20/20, but foresight, and taking action on that foresight, is where you can actually get positive results
Weird and fun things about me…
Survived 9 months in a body cast following major surgery in the Houston heat (Anyone else have scoliosis?)
Scuba dived the South China Sea
Went on African photo safari; flew in hot air balloon over the Serengeti Plains
Birthed and raised 2 sons (or did they raise me?)
Learned all (ALL) about Asperger’s Syndrome
Lived an incredible lifestyle abroad on the ocean for 13 years (Huge life experience!!!)
Asked “What is the S&P 500?” at an international cocktail party (1986)
Served on vestry, finance committee, growth committee and as warden at the Episcopal church I attend
I lost my father, an avid investor and mentor, 3 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor; I had a 2 year old that did’t sleep, a newborn (Dad’s namesake) and lived overseas at the time
Don’t act my age
Eating Paleo has changed my health (and allowed me to drop 12 pounds without trying)
Began greying at age 14; stopped coloring at age 40 (last year)
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