Have you ever met someone who loves a label printer? I know it might sound a little crazy, but turning chaos into order is one of my favorite things. In my role as operations assistant at Zephyrus Financial Services, I take charge of all things filing and organizing — from processing client paperwork to cataloging old data and, of course, putting everything in its rightful place with the help of my handy-dandy label printer.
When I graduated in 2004 from Augustana University, which is where Tim and I met, I never would’ve thought this would be my career. I worked as a registered nurse for 10 years, and although I may not be monitoring anyone’s vitals these days, my years as an RN taught me a lot of lessons I still use today. Knowing how to solve problems quickly, being detail-oriented and keeping calm during stressful situations is critical in my current position.
After retiring from nursing, I started at Zephyrus Financial Services in April of 2014, tasked with spearheading a serious file organization project for Tim and Amanda. I took an extended leave of absence right before our third child was born in 2018, but now that Celine is in preschool, I’m happy to be back in the office!
Being married to the owner of Zephyrus Financial Services means I’m almost always surrounded by financial talk — Tim and Amanda are very dedicated to their roles as advisors! While I’m still trying to wrap my head around some things, I love seeing how financial strategies can transform clients’ lives. The best part of my job is being a part of our unique approach to retirement planning.
We Put Relationships First
As a former nurse, I understand the importance of connection and care, and I admire how Tim and Amanda build relationships with each and every client that walks through our doors. We’re not simply providing a financial service but rather, we are helping people thrive throughout their lives! It’s important to know someone on a personal level in order to understand what’s best for their money, which is why we keep the lines of communication open with clients.
We Care About Education
In my role, I receive thousands of questions for Tim, Amanda and Camille, and they answer every single one with great attention and patience. There truly are no stupid questions! We understand that financial decisions can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why teaching clients about their money is a top priority for us. Telling someone what to do is very different from showing them why a decision is being made. At every step in the financial planning process, we help educate clients on the financial skills and knowledge needed to succeed.
We Focus on Long-Term Vision
Working toward financial success is a long-term commitment. Unless you win the lottery or suddenly inherit a large sum of money from some long-lost uncle, you probably won’t see huge increases overnight. It takes years of careful planning, diligent saving and strategic investing to achieve financial freedom. It can be hard to remember the long game when the markets are down, but it’s important to remain calm and avoid rash decisions. We keep a constant eye on your money so you don’t have to worry, and we make regular updates to your financial road map to ensure you’re going in the right direction.
If you want to learn more about our customized financial roadmaps, reach out and schedule a meeting with our team. I’ll be ready to print a new label with your name on it!
Ask Megan
What do you do outside of work?
My favorite thing to do outside of work is spend time with my kids, doing whatever they want to do! Other than that, I enjoy gardening, baking and running.
Tell us about your family!
I’ve been married to Tim for 18 years, and he’s shown me that I can be stronger than I ever thought was possible. He’s also helped me discover all kinds of new music that I never would have listened to if it wasn't for him. Our oldest daughter, Avari, is 14 years old. Avari is very independent, responsible and creative. Our middle child, Logan, is 11 years old. He is caring, adventurous and loves math. Celine, or Cece for short, is our youngest daughter, born on Christmas Eve. At four years old, she’s starting to come out of her shell a lot more. She loves to giggle, cuddle and play with her dad. We also have two cats, Diamond and Emma. I don’t have much to say about them, except that I’m still a dog person.
Do you have a favorite artist or band?
Thanks to Tim, I enjoy many different types of music. My least favorite is country music. My favorite band has always been Blink-182. I’m so excited for their new album!
Do you have a favorite book?
My favorite books as a child were the “Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis and the “My Teacher is an Alien” series by Bruce Coville. I read them multiple times and still love them to this day. I’ve encouraged my kids to read them, as well! It’s hard to find spare time to read adult books these days, but I love to read to Cece.
If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would you pick?
First, I would pick my grandpa, Morris. He died unexpectedly before I was born, so I was never able to meet him. I’ve heard he had quite a sense of humor — I would love to have a conversation with him! Second, I would pick Florence Nightingale. I think it would be interesting to hear about the struggles she endured in nursing and how she helped shape better practices for today’s nurses. Third, I would pick Martha from the Bible. I think if I had been in her position, I would have acted as she did when Jesus came to visit. It’s so easy to get caught up in preparations and details from day to day. Her story teaches us to stop, listen and enjoy everything, even the little things, because time flies. What is life if you aren’t enjoying it? I try to remember this, especially while spending time with our kids!
What are some interesting facts about yourself?
- I have never broken a bone.
- I had childhood leukemia.
- I wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up.
- I am a middle child.
- While in college, I completed a triathlon. Unfortunately, I’m not a strong swimmer, so I finished in last place. It was embarrassing, but at least I finished!