Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jim Moldenhauer Sheryl Garrett, an entrepreneur who started Garrett Planning Network, spoke to students in the College of Business Wednesday afternoon about her career path and financial planning for students.

The creator of Garrett Planning Network discussed with students financial planning issues and how she started her own business.

On Wednesday afternoon Sheryl Garrett, creator of Garrett Planning Network, shared her experiences in the corporate world and beyond with students. She shared her path to entrepreneurialship with financial planning.

"She saw a market with need and ran with that need," Edgar Norton, professor of finance, law and insurance, said.

Garrett discussed the corporate world, and why she decided to venture out on her own.

"Somebody once told me that when you are self-employed you will never go back. I didn't quite appreciate what she meant by that until I did it," Garrett said.

By being an entrepreneur, a person receives the chance to create their own destiny instead of someone else's.

"I get to design my own day and my work towards a passion that is most fulfilling for me. It is really exciting that I get to choose what I do, how I do it, who I do it for, what I do and what I charge," Garrett said.

Garrett explained some of the tasks she was required to do when she first broke into the business of financial planning.

"I was writing comprehensive final plans and designing portfolios. I wasn't meeting with the client. I wasn't getting the client and bringing in the new business," Garrett said.

Fear is something that sometimes deters an individual from attempting to achieve their dreams and aspirations in life. People need to tell themselves that they can do something they might otherwise be too frightened to do.

"I had to get over this petrified feeling of not wanting to work with clients directly. I thought maybe I need to venture out and I can do this kind of work," Garrett said.

Garrett spoke about the high need for comprehensive financial planning. Many people will have questions involving money matters throughout their lifetime.

An interest of finance, marketing and entrepreneurialship caused some students to attend the event.

"She's got an interesting career path that she's taken and started not just her business now, but several businesses and ventures," Garry Good, independent financial advisor, said.

Sometimes students may be isolated from the real world, and by having speakers come to campus the students can reconnect in ways they might not be able to otherwise.

"It's always nice to touch base with people that have had experiences that are out there, that you can ask questions to and get a better feel for opportunities," Good said.

The Financial Management Association sponsored the event.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools