Shannon Eusey: To Be Happy, Be Grateful

On International Women’s Day, we were joined by a fantastic human being. In this episode, Shannon shares the stories of the people in her life that helped her get to where she is today. From her husband, to a childhood mentor, and so many others, this episode is proof that to get to the pinnacle of success in business today, it just revolves around being a good human. Shannon teaches us humility, curiosity, and the ability to teach others with true integrity.

Shannon Eusey first sketched out her idea for a financial planning firm when she was studying for an MBA and working at a small wealth management firm in Los Angeles. In a 25-page paper for her “Entrepreneurship and Venture Initiation” class at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management in 2001, she wrote a business plan for a wealth management company with a then-unusual focus: a fiduciary obligation to put a client’s interests first by charging fees for all manner of funds, securities and advice.

At the time, brokerages dominated the investing landscape, and financial advisors typically pocketed commissions from mutual funds and annuities that they were incentivized to sell. Eusey’s no-commission plan was downright countercultural. Her paper, titled “NEWCO,” got a B from the professor.

Shannon is now the Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Pointe Advisors, the largest female-led Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm in the country serving private clients, foundations, and retirement plans. Prior to launching Beacon Pointe, Shannon served as Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Roxbury Capital Management and oversaw the socially responsible investment (SRI) platform for several years. Beacon Pointe is now one of the largest RIA firms in the country, with over $26 Billion AUM.

Shannon is a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council and is regularly featured in The Wall Street Journal, InvestmentNews, Barron’s, Forbes, Financial Planning Magazine, among other publications.

In 2018 she was presented with the UC Irvine Lauds & Laurels Award and in 2017 the Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Award. Through Shannon’s passion for financial education, she is a founding member of the Beacon Pointe Women’s Advisory Institute and co-authored Your Dollars, Our Sense: A Fun and Simple Guide to Money Matters, an international best-selling book that has ranked #1 in six different business and finance categories.

Links

  • Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannoneusey/

  • Her Women’s Advisory Institute: https://beaconpointe.com/womens-advisory-institute/

Chris Schembra