We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heidi Foster a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Heidi, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
There are people in this world who challenge us to be better, stronger, and kinder than we can imagine. I had an amazing client whose kindness, thoughtfulness, and strength blew me away. She was diagnosed with cancer and given three months to live. She managed to live for another year and a half before the cancer claimed her life. During that year and a half, I got the opportunity to be touched by her kindness.
This beautiful lady was known in the community for her financial generosity. However, her thoughtfulness beyond finances is what touched my heart. She called one day when I was rather blue. She asked if I had had lunch and told me not to. She rushed out, bought a couple of pints of ice cream and came to my office to picnic with me; telling me that ice cream for lunch cured most troubles.
When this incredible woman was nearing the end, she wanted to extend gratitude to me and another member of her financial team. She called and asked if she could bring us lunch. This would have been highly unusual for a strong, healthy client, let alone one nearing the end of life. However, she did not just bring us lunch. She prepared a delicious five course meal for us, bringing China, silverware, and a tablecloth. These thoughtful touches were so above and beyond anything that I ever seen anyone do for anyone else that my heart was completely melted. She had a way of sharing love in small acts making me feel valued.
Heidi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I wanted to understand money and how some people obtained financial peace. I have spent my career learning how to help others to find financial peace and confidence. I look at each person or family’s finances and financial goals like they are a puzzle. There is almost always a way to make the pieces fit together.
I was provided the opportunity to intern an investment office in Beverly Hills with a vibrant and inspiring lady while I was in college at the University of Southern California. She explained to me that if I went to work for a bank that they would help me pay for business classes in college. When I graduated from college, I was offered a job by both the investment office and the bank. I spent the next fifteen years working as a portfolio manager with two major, national, private banks. For the past fifteen years, I was given the opportunity to join an independent investment management company.
The doors that have opened to me have been amazing. I have gotten to work with asset allocation on a national level and work with individuals in a very personal and intimate space. I love getting to bring my knowledge and experience to my clients.
Wherever I have worked, I have loved the opportunity work with clients and help bring peace and confidence to their finances.
How’d you meet your business partner?
I met my business partner while I was managing the investment for an endowment where he was the head of the finance committee. He liked the way that I presented investments through the years. There were some challenging times that I had to face with his board during the market correction in 2008. While the conversations may have been painful, I think there was respect for having the conversations.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think that my reputation within my community and market have been built by consistency and follow through along with a general attitude towards generosity and giving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://financialhealth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/american.wealth.management/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanWealthManagement
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiafoster/
- Twitter: https://x.com/HeidiAFoster
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/GtY84Pb1FH5_ba4QTloyYg
Image Credits
Please call me at (775) 332-7000 or (775) 762-3824 to discuss image ideas. Thank you.