Dreaming Big

For local investment pro Sara Gibbs of Prospera Financial Services, owning a beautiful home on the beach was one of her big dreams. Today she owns that home—and she’s helping others achieve their big dreams, too.

By: Mimi Vanderhaven
Date: 02/05/2008
Our dreams motivate us and give us hope. For some, the dream is buying a larger home or putting a child through the finest college. For the more adventurous, dreams may include touring the country on a Harley.

But bringing big dreams to light often seems out of reach.

Unless you have a plan.

“Accomplishing big goals requires thinking and acting big, developing a plan, and then going for it,” says Sara Gibbs, a fully licensed independent investment professional with Prospera Financial Services.

“I am passionate about most everything,” smiles Sara. “I saw my dream home on the beach 20 years ago and made a vow right then that someday it would be mine,” she explained. “Then a few years ago while on vacation I drove by it. It was for sale and an open house was in progress. It felt like kismet. So I figured out a way to make it mine. Did I have to make sacrifices in order for it to happen? Of course. But I realized a 20-year dream and that feels amazing.”

Sara channels the same passion about realizing her personal dreams and goals into a commitment to help her clients achieve theirs, too. But she’s concerned that many people don’t have a realistic plan for their future.

“Many Americans have a high degree of debt and generally save less than five percent of their after-tax income as compared to other cultures like the Japanese, who typically save 10 percent or more,” says Sara.

“Americans often equate security with having a big house, luxury cars and expensive belongings. Unless they have identified specific goals and are realizing a rate of return on their investments that will help them meet those goals in 20 to 30 years, the comfortable retirement they’ve hoped for may not be so comfortable.”

It’s all about planning, says Sara. “When I meet with potential clients for the first time, we look at their current investments, insurance coverage and estate plan, if they have one,” she explains. “Quite often, people have their money in the wrong investments for what they’re trying to accomplish. As an independent investment professional I have access to products that help develop a comprehensive plan for clients with all aspects of their finances. Knowing my clients’ total financial picture puts us on the same page so that we can fully work together from the start.”

All the planning in the world doesn’t change the fact that life is a moving target and that unexpected things happen—both good and bad. Sara says that an effective financial plan is monitored and periodically adjusted to address changes in the market as well as changes in people’s lives. She formally reviews many client accounts quarterly and others even more frequently.

Of course, the process of selecting a financial advisor is serious business. “If there is one thing I would say to clients and potential clients, it’s that I base my success on theirs,” says Sara. “I care about their goals and doing the right things to help them achieve those goals. My clients are like my family.”

Prospera Financial Services, the brokerage firm that Sara offers her services through, is tailored to the needs of financial advisors who seek independence and freedom from big offices and big firms. She was drawn to Prospera because it gives her access to the services of First Clearing, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation. While Prospera’s smaller, service-driven culture is important to Sara, she appreciates having access to the resources of the third largest broker/dealer in the country.

Much of Sara’s compensation is in the form of a quarterly fee, based on her clients’ portfolio performance, and she discusses her compensation structure with clients up front so there are no surprises.

Right now Sara is offering a free portfolio review and financial plan for Mimi readers who call her for an appointment before March 31, 2008. It might just be the perfect time to find out if you’ll be spending your retirement on a pair of Harleys...or on a bicycle built for two.

Sara Gibbs is a Northeast Ohio-based licensed, independent investment professional with 22 years of financial experience. For help with any of your financial questions, contact Sara at 330-869-8169.
Securities are offered through Prospera Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, 5429 LBJ Freeway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75240. All views expressed in this article reflect the personal views of the writer and are not necessarily those of Prospera Financial Services, Inc., its directors, parent company or its affiliates. Additional information is available upon request.

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