We recently connected with Larissa Zoratti and have shared our conversation below.

Larissa, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.

In my family, I have two older siblings—one who didn’t graduate from high school and one who didn’t complete college. From an early age, I was determined to be the one who would go to and graduate from college. This drive was partly to make my parents proud and partly due to societal expectations. In my town, not attending college right after high school was frowned upon, so I followed the expected path.

I initially attended a college in Worcester, MA, for a year and a half, but it was a party school, and I was not a partier. This mismatch left me feeling unhappy and out of place. I then moved back home and transferred to a private Catholic college in Hartford, CT, just two miles from home. This change allowed me to focus more on my studies while working full-time as a shift manager at a local Starbucks.

However, the pressure to declare a major was overwhelming. At 19 or 20 years old, how could I possibly make such a significant decision about my future? I felt immense pressure, stress, and anxiety because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Additionally, the burden of college debt weighed heavily on me. I ultimately graduated in 2007 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Fine Arts—degrees I have yet to use directly in my career.

Today, I work in the financial services industry. To enter this field, I spent a few hundred dollars on professional licenses and designations. This career path has allowed me to fulfill my desire to help people.

I wish the education system would place more emphasis on allowing students to explore different paths to find what aligns with their future aspirations, rather than pushing everyone towards college and burdening them with decades of debt. Encouraging exploration and providing alternatives to traditional college education could lead to more fulfilling lives and careers for many.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey began at the age of nine when my parents were going through a separation and eventual divorce. This was an incredibly challenging time for our family, not just emotionally but financially as well. The experience of scarcity and financial instability during my upbringing was pivotal in shaping my future ambitions and career path.

Determined to break free from the constraints of financial lack, I resolved to pursue higher education, believing that a college degree would be the key to a successful and prosperous career. I started working as soon as I could, taking a job at a local grocery store, and later, I spent six years working at Starbucks to support myself through college.

After graduating, I entered the construction administration industry, where I dedicated 14 years climbing the corporate ladder. However, the landscape shifted dramatically in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I found myself laid off.

Fortunately, having become debt-free about a year and a half prior and maintaining a healthy emergency fund, I was in a position to take a step back and reevaluate my path. The burnout from corporate life and the desire for more flexibility, time, and earning potential pushed me to seek a different direction.

Inspired by my own journey to financial freedom and the guidance of Dave Ramsey, I began to understand the critical importance of planning, budgeting, and designing a secure financial future. Rather than allowing financial constraints to dictate my life, I chose to take control of my finances.

Serendipitously, an opportunity in financial services presented itself, and it felt like a clear sign from the universe. Four years later, I can confidently say that this was a life-changing decision. My life has transformed in the best ways possible, and I now have the privilege of educating others on essential financial concepts.

Too many people are left behind due to a lack of financial literacy. It’s not that they plan to fail; they simply fail to plan. My mission is to be a part of their journey to financial freedom and abundance, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to secure their financial futures. I am passionate about helping others achieve the financial independence and peace of mind that I have found, and I am excited to guide them every step of the way.

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Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

One key factor that helped me build my reputation was consistently engaging with people and cultivating relationships. I vividly recall when I first began meeting with clients, as I was becoming more independent in the industry. I was extremely nervous about meeting high-net-worth clients, such as doctors, lawyers, and business owners. I felt they were more knowledgeable or smarter than I was. Overcoming this mindset was crucial because I didn’t want it to hold me back.

I began telling myself, “They might be a doctor or a lawyer, but I am an expert in finance; they are experts in their fields.” This shift in perspective significantly boosted my confidence with each new client meeting. I positioned myself as the expert, and my clients recognized that expertise. As I built these relationships, my clients started sending me referrals, which has been instrumental in growing my book of business and expanding into new markets.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I started in the financial services industry in July 2020, I quickly became one of the top producers within less than 11 months of joining the company. I worked diligently to achieve my goals and was quite content with my position. However, in January 2024, the company began implementing changes that no longer aligned with my morals and ethics, which was quite disheartening. After carefully evaluating my options, I decided to leave and join a competitor. This decision upset many people and led to several challenges.

Taking this leap of faith was crucial. I own my brokerage and lead a team of over 60 agents, so I had to consider what was best for myself, my family, and my team. It was one of the most challenging experiences I’ve faced in the industry. However, five months later, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

By paving the way, I gave others the confidence to stand up for their beliefs and not remain in environments where they were unhappy or mistreated. I could have quit, walked away, or stayed with the previous company out of fear of rocking the boat or facing the unknown. Instead, I chose to confront my fears, and I do not regret it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larissameryn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011705491903
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larissacorso/

Image Credits

The only photo that I know the photographer is my wedding photo (https://www.iyrusweddings.com/). This was our wedding last month and a few people on my team flew out to FL for the wedding.