Annette Findling

I do believe I mention this every week before I do my profile subject’s answers to my questionnaire that I am so fortunate to have such a diverse and truly fascinating group of friends.  This week’s personality is not an exception.  Although I have only known Annette for a short period of time we have become friends, first through the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum where I currently serve as Historian and Annette is Vice President, Programming and now over regular glasses of wine during a Happy Hour or two! I wanted to share her story with you today, I know you will feel you have added a new friend as well. Enjoy Annette in her own words….

WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALISE YOUR TALENT:

I’m not sure of when the first impression was but as I reflect on my childhood, I now see how my talents fit together.  My mom immigrated here from Germany after World War II, met my dad and got married.  They’ve been happily married for 54 years.  My mom always told me that being good in math was really important (she was good at it too!)  She was also a seamstress. As a result, I am a math geek!  I would rather do complex calculations than a word puzzle all day long.  Growing up, my mom made all my clothes.  Sadly, I didn’t learn the skill (believe me, she tried to teach me!) That is where my love of fashion comes from.  I started my career in my late 20s and knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. As a financial advisor, I love “dressing” my clients to design a strategy that fits for their goals.  That is what motivates me every day!

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD “MADE IT”:

I was 33 years old and an elderly male client called me to his home on a very hot summer day in July.  He was very sick and asked me to make sure I took care of his wife when he passed.  He said the end was near.  His wife never wanted to talk about money.  He passed away in October of 2001.  Shortly after, she and I worked on a plan to help her move forward.  This is when I knew I made it.  I “make it” every day.  Helping clients pay for their kid’s education, retire, buy a business and the list goes on.

HOW DID YOUR PASSION GET YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW:

Over the last 25 years, I have developed a passion for educating women about money.  Don’t get me wrong, I love men too! I have a wonderful husband and two awesome sons.  However, the financial services industry in general hasn’t caught up with the “Power of the Purse”.  Women are living longer, inheriting money, starting businesses and are employed and raising families, divorce. etc   I started my blog, Rich Women Rock to educate women about money in a fun, easy way to learn.  We touch on a variety of subjects and try to incorporate a little bit of fashion analogies. I am also starting to do public speaking engagements.  Currently my favorite one is: Designing your financial closet where I use clothing to describe assets classes and build a portfolio, just like you would a wardrobe.  I feel there is a correlation to one’s clothing style and investment style.  It is fun and women understand it.   I love designing strategies for my clients but more importantly educating them so they feel confident in the decisions they make.  I feel that being confident and having choices is one of life’s luxuries. My firm, Stonebridge Wealth Advisors, is a firm where we all follow the same philosophy.

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ALTERNATE CAREER:

Fashion stylist or buyer!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOKE, MOVIE, MUSIC STYLE:

It’s hard to pick a favorite of anything because I love so many.  Favorite book I am reading now is “From the Ankle Down” A book about the history of shoes.  I love fashion history because much of it reflects upon what was going on in the world.  Movie:  Hidden Figures.  Amazing awesome movie!  Again, women and math!  I love music…I am a classic rocker at heart.  Both of my sons are musicians so we have a lot of noise in our house!  I appreciate musicians and their talent from Classical, rock and jazz.  In the food category, I really don’t have a favorite type or restaurant.  I just love a few good appetizers paired with a glass of wine or good cocktail in a place with good company.

At the 2017 Grammy Awards with husband David Findling.

ANY HOBBIES, IF SO WHAT ARE THEY:

With running a business and raising two boys I haven’t had time for a true hobby.  However, I do get up at 5 am Monday – Friday and workout. My husband and I love going to listen to live music.  If I have a quiet moment, I love to needle point, knit, noodle around on my iPad and always go on a walk with my dog Coco.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR HOME STYLE:

I am in a transitional time in my life as my youngest son is graduating high school and my husband and I are moving back to the city.  I want to decorate our new place with more contemporary style.  However, I like mixing old with new.  Stay tuned!

WHO WOULD BE AT YOUR FANTASY DINNER PARTY AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE:

I would have my favorite designers all at the same table:  Coco Chanel, Valentino, Christian Dior, Dries Van Noten, Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, Bonnie Cashin, Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Achille Maramotti (founder of Max Mara).  I would probably serve good Italian food since that would probably appeal to most.  Paired with good wine of course!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT:

My favorite vacation was London with my family.  Since we love music, London is full of music history.  We took a tour called “Monsters of Rock and Roll”.  It was a day long tour in a van with a guy who was like Jack Black (He goes by Chicago Mike and is really from Chicago)  He was hysterical but we not only saw so much of the London area and experienced so much of music history too.  We then took a train to Liverpool and dove into Beatles history.  We had a private tour with Chris who took us into the Best home where we got to visit with Rory Best, Pete Best’s brother.  The basement was the Casbah club where the Beetles started playing and building their audience. I would do this trip again.  If you are a music nut, this trip is a must.  However, my next two trips would be to 1) go back to Germany with my husband and sons and 2) do a fashion trip to Italy with girlfriends.

Annette and David with sons Kurt and Erik getting to watch their beloved Cubs win the World Series!!!

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED:

I want to be remembered as one of the kindest, generous woman you’ll ever meet with a little spunk.  Plain and simple….salt of the earth.  What you see is what you get

FAVORITE CHICAGO PUBLIC ART PIECE:

I have to say, my favorite was the Cows on Michigan Avenue.  It was unique at the time and every now and then I’ll see one in someone’s yard.  I also loved the dress forms on Michigan Avenue that followed a few years later.

Cow from the 1999 Cows on Parade in Chicago.  This charming piece resides outside the Chicago Cultural Center on Michigan Avenue and Washington Street.

FAVORITE BLOGS:

Nena, as you know…I wake up to you, nenasnotes every morning…love with my coffee!  Others I follow every day are:  The Daily Skimm, Investment News Daily, WWD, Catherinegraceo, and 1010ParkPlace.  A little bit of business, fashion and lifestyle.

A FAVORITE RECIPE:

Funny you ask for a favorite recipe, my least favorite thing to do is cook.  My family and friends make fun of me.  Just sayin, I’m being honest at least I know my weaknesses too and willing to admit it.  However, I am all about eating pretty clean and making a healthy dinner for my family after work.  This is a recipe from my mother-in-law who’s also German but made a mean spaghetti sauce that my Italian friends rave about.  I make a double batch on the weekend then fill it in Quart size bags and freeze.  This way I can take out a bag or two to defrost before I go to work and make a good spaghetti meal with a salad for dinner.

ANNETTE’S MOTHER-IN-LAW’S SPAGHETTI SAUCE

2 lbs lean hamburger

2 medium yellow onions

3/4 lbs Italian sausage or substitute half with veal

2 bay leaves

2 cans 15 oz tomato sauce

2 cans 6 oz tomato paste

3 cloves fresh minced garlic

1T oregano

1/2T parsley flakes

1 1/2 TSP salt

1 1/2 TSP sugar

2 15 oz cans water

2 TSP Basil

Pepper to taste

Brown meat and onion.  Simmer in a large pot for 2-3 hours

Links to me are www.stonebridgewealthadvisors.com and my blog www.richwomenrock.com.  You can follow my page on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

Annette is a registered representative with, and securities are offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through HighPoint Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. HighPoint Advisor Group and Stonebridge Wealth Advisors, LLC are separate entities from LPL Financial. The client experience described may not be representative of any future experience of our clients, nor considered a recommendation of the advisor’s services or abilities or indicate a favorable client experience.