Back Office Hero Melanie Minick

Meet Melanie

Melanie is a 29 year old from McKinney, Texas where she works as an administrative assistant at Wheat-Givens Financial. Melanie excels at her role, helping their small but mighty team of four (two financial advisors) help about 500 active clients reach their personal financial goals. Considering how well Melanie excels at her job, you may be surprised to learn that she only started at Wheat-Givens Financial in September, 2021 and it was her first role ever within the financial services industry. Prior to that, Melanie actually worked as a veterinary technician for eight years. 

Operational superpower: Asking questions to understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’
Total active clients you are supporting: ~500
Average tasks completed in Hubly per week: 80
‍Time saved per week since using Hubly: A LOT!

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Melanie, how did you get into an operational role?

I was a veterinary technician for 8 years, but decided to try something new for my personal wellbeing. Personal finance has always intrigued me after seeing how clients at our veterinary clinic handled emergency payments for their pets. Personal finance may seem like a drastic change for most people, from helping pets, performing diagnostic tests, and even monitoring and assisting in surgery! However, it has been an oddly easy transition. 

In a way there are many similarities between financial planning and veterinary care; the main one being that you and your client have the same goal to achieve. I have seen what stress and anxiety can result from poor financial planning, and so as a result I love to help clients meet their current financial needs and goals! When I stumbled upon a great opportunity with Wheat-Givens Financial, I was excited to join the team to start this new path in my career journey.

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What is your biggest day to day work challenge?

Managing what needs to be done, with what takes priority in a timely manner. There are a lot of different things that need to be done daily, and the things that need to be done daily change all the time! Thankfully, Hubly helps alleviate some of that stress.

What would you tell someone starting in this role?

The most important skill needed to do my job well is paying attention to detail. Before anything gets completed or sent to a client, it is important that everything is done correctly, but also in a timely manner. This can sometimes be the hardest part of the job. I would recommend finding something that keeps you grounded so you can focus on what you are doing –  for me it is listening to my favorite music! Having music on in the background keeps me focused on the tasks at hand.

What technology makes your job easier and why?

Hubly definitely makes my job easier by helping me stay organized and keeping me on track with what needs to be done and when. I have tried other tasks-related software before, such as Meistertask, and I feel like these types of software can help improve workflow efficiency. 

Another way that I keep myself on top of things is having a ‘to-do’ list that I make daily. I have always been more of a pen and paper person rather than typing it out, so writing out a list of the most important tasks I have that day helps keep me on track.

What's your favorite resource (book, article podcast, networks etc.) that you find useful for your job? 

Honestly, my favorite resource is the advisors I work for! If they do not have an answer for me they will show me how to find the answer. The advisors I work for (Phil and Lori) create such a supportive environment. They offer support when asked, but also allow me to try and figure things out on my own. Working with them has been an amazing opportunity and I have learned so much in my short amount of time in the finance industry thanks to them! 

What is the best part about your firm’s culture? 

The culture in our office is more like a family (as cliché as that sounds) and everyone wants not only what is best for the firm, but also each other. I know I can always count on my team to help with anything I need during my work day.

Being so new to the industry, I am interested in learning all the ins and outs and the ‘whys’ behind everything we do. I found that asking questions to my awesome advisors is the best way to get the information that I am looking for! If they do not know the answer right away, then they lead me in the right direction to find those answers.

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About Wheat Givens Financial

Wheat Gives Financial is an independent firm committed to offering complete objectivity and unbiased advice when it comes to financial planning and investment management. Their mission is to provide their clients with the highest level of financial planning and investment management services available and to regularly communicate with those they serve the information and advice required to reach their financial destinations.  Wheat Givens Financial provides their services with a dedication to the highest standard of fiduciary care, always putting their clients’ best interests before their own and delivering that care with warmth, friendliness and hearts for service.