Morrayna Gaskins improves people’s quality of life by presenting financial options to those who are unfamiliar with money management
I stay motivated by … having faith, and finding different ways to improve to make sure I excel. I also realized my son is watching my every move, and I have to set a good example for him.
Three adjectives that describe me are… Passionate, competitive, and determined
If I could have dinner with one person it would be… my uncle because he was my biggest cheerleader. I would love to tell him about how my life has changed since his passing and introduce him to his great-nephew.
The most exciting innovation to me is… my iPad Pro and pencil. Prior to me having my iPad I was carrying around my laptop and a folder full of papers. The ease of having everything accessible on one device made my meetings and practice more efficient.
What do you do?
I am a financial professional at Equitable, a financial services firm. I improve people’s quality of life by presenting financial options to those who are unfamiliar with money management but would like to plan for the future and build wealth. I teach them effective budgeting strategies and I help them save their money in the correct places.
The services I provide assist clients with their investments, retirement planning, and insurance needs. I have a very hands on approach in assisting my clients reach their financial goals by bridging the gap that most people struggle with when it comes to financial literacy.
What were you doing before this? How did it prepare you for the entrepreneurial life?
I was working for a health insurance company as a broker. I assisted people with obtaining coverage, in addition to explaining their benefits and medical claims to them. To become an advisor you’re required to take various exams and obtain certain licensing. Being a broker I already held some of the required licensing, which allowed me to be slightly ahead going into this new career.
Do you have a fixed work routine? Is it important to have one? Any tips for our readers?
I absolutely have one. Balancing between being a mom and running my practice can have me feeling as if I’m being pulled in multiple directions. Having a routine is very important because it will keep you on track and focused. When you’re working for yourself it can become very easy to put things off thinking “I’ll get to it tomorrow”. You need to hold yourself accountable. If you don’t do the work today it will be that much easier to not do it tomorrow.
What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
One major sacrifice I made was the stability of receiving a steady income. Starting out I was not making that much money and I had myself and my son to care for. Another sacrifice I made was letting go of certain relationships I had with people. I started to realize that I was not going to be able to take everyone on this new journey with me and I needed to surround myself with like-minded people.
Was it difficult get capital/investors? Has anyone underestimated you as a female entrepreneur?
I did not have to deal with the difficulty of raising capital or getting investors, but I had to obtain clients. Initially it was hard because I had to figure out who exactly I wanted to take on as clients. I was trying to figure things out on my own, but once I sat down and created a business plan everything started coming together. Being a young woman of color in a male dominated industry there were people that underestimated me. At times it made me second guess myself but once I realized that my purpose was bigger than the opinions of others and that I was placed in this position for a reason it no longer had an effect over me.
What is one thing you find to be true that most people would disagree with?
When people say “Money doesn’t buy you happiness” I believe that money can bring some sense of happiness. When you’re financially secure you’re able to do things on your own terms with a peace of mind. No one wants the burden of having to worry about how they will be able to pay for their bills, or if they will be able to retire comfortably. Yes there are many other things that can make you happy as well, but I believe everyone strives for some form of financial freedom.