Meet Marianela Collado | CEO and Senior Wealth Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marianela Collado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marianela, Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.
At Tobias Financial Advisors, WE REALLY DO WHAT WE SAY WE DO. We help our clients live the lives they want by developing a plan that affords them the financial freedom they seek. We do not just manage their money but manage their wealth and legacy with the focus on what is necessary in order to grow and keep that wealth. In addition to providing this service, what makes us truly unique is that we work as fiduciary, which means 100% of our revenue comes from the client so we work for the client. We do not get paid based on commissions for recommending a product. We do not sell anything but advice. This way, we provide unbiased financial advice and act exclusively in the best interests of our clients. We are very proud to adhere to the best practices and guidelines of The Institute for the Fiduciary Standard and believe that commissions have no place in planning the futures of our clients. Instead, our business is solely built on trust and experience.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

My transition from being a senior executive to a business owner was challenging because all of the sudden I was responsible for things that I never had to worry about, like paying company bills, running payroll, and all the logistics of HR and Marketing. Another major change was the responsibility that you have over your employees, their careers and their lives. You do not just worry about yourself anymore but about an entire team of people and that can be overwhelming sometimes. However, my biggest struggle as a business owner is finding balance. Because I love what I do so much, and I take my work very seriously, I could find myself working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I realized that in order to find a balance, I needed to identify good people and be able to delegate and trust that the team will handle the responsibilities given to them. So far, I have been lucky in this aspect, our founder laid a great foundation with principles and values that never lost their essence. We have a team of talented, passionate and genuine people. As a business owner I take great pride in our values, and I believe that our clients are with us for the long haul because they know that we are truly transparent as individuals and as a firm. I try to lead by example and always be real and true with my clients and I feel that the entire firm now operates under the motto what you see is what you get, and our clients appreciate it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Broward County! This is where we live and play. You will most likely find me biking around Weston. Our town is very bicycle and kid friendly. The beaches are amazing! You’d find me soaking up the sun and enjoying the water on Fort Lauderdale beach. Touring Las Olas is also something I enjoy doing very much. The scenery changes during the day and night and both are a lot of fun. We could explore the art galleries during the day and take a stroll to different restaurants and bars to experience the nightlife as well. However, with 3 little kids, it is hard to enjoy the nightlife much.  Apart from the city, I would also like my best friend to enjoy the beautiful nature of South Florida. Outdoor activities such as visiting parks or taking a fishing tour on a boat in the intercoastal would also be on my list.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First shoutout goes to my team at Tobias Financial Advisors for always delivering excellent client experience, putting our clients first and putting their best effort into all they do. I am so proud of the team that we built, their passion for what they do and dedication to our values. It is thanks to their efforts and willingness to go the extra mile for our clients and more importantly, each other that makes us who we are today.

Specifically, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Edgar Collado, my best friend and partner at home and in business. He is an incredible husband, dad to our three boys and my right-hand at work in the role of CFO and head of operations. He inspires me every day and makes juggling between parenthood and work not just doable but also fun. He plays a big part in the success of the business as he oversees the daily operations which allows me to focus on client service, talent development and the growth of our business.

Website: www.tobiasfinancial.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianelacollado/

Image Credits
David Roth – Marianela in blue jacket
David Roth – Marianela and Edgar Collado
David Roth – team photo