Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s Diary of a Financial Advisor entry, we dive into the journey of a dedicated financial professional who rose from humble beginnings to making impactful strides in the financial services industry. Joining us on the podcast is Shakirrah Clarke Gunther, a Client Service Associate at BFG Financial Advisors. Shakirrah brings over thirteen years of experience to the table, possessing a passion for uplifting her clients from financial literacy to financial freedom. As an individual hailing from a challenging upbringing in Camden, New Jersey, she has become a beacon of motivation for her community and family, striving to break the chains of poverty with her expertise and empathy.
In our conversation, Shakirrah candidly shared her life story, providing insights into her journey from an urban setting defined by scarcity, to becoming an integral part of a firm that values a familial workplace culture. She discussed her commitment to not only growing within her career but also contributing to the growth of others by sharing the knowledge she accumulated through her personal and professional experiences.
From overcoming shyness to stepping into the financial spotlight, Shakirrah’s tale is one of resilience and transformation. We explored her evolving relationship with money—how she transitioned from living paycheck-to-paycheck to prioritizing long-term planning. Shakkirah emphasized the importance of having a supportive network, citing how her current role at BFG offers the environment she needs to thrive and expand her horizons.
5 Key Takeaways:
- Valuing a Family Environment: Shakirrah highlighted how the sense of belonging and support at BFG Financial Advisors has been instrumental in her professional satisfaction, allowing her to overcome personal barriers and focus on growth.
- From Scarcity to Strategic Planning: Growing up in poverty-stricken Camden, Shakirrah has shifted her financial mindset from one of immediate survival to embracing long-term strategic planning for her future.
- Embracing Growth Opportunities: Despite her admitted shyness, Shakirrah underscores the significance of stepping out of comfort zones and seizing opportunities for personal and professional development, such as being involved in podcasts and other innovative platforms.
- Community Impact: Shakirrah is driven by a desire to be a pillar in her community, acting as a role model and resource for younger generations, showing them the potential that exists beyond their immediate circumstances.
- Money Mindset Evolution: Shakirrah’s journey reflects a transition from viewing money as a finite resource to understanding its potential to work sustainably for her, encapsulated in her goal to ensure her money is working towards her future independence.
Join us for this inspiring episode as we follow Shakirrah’s path toward financial empowerment and learn how she leverages her experience to impact her life and the lives of others positively. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode to inspire those around you!
Eric Brotman [00:00:01]:
This is Eric Brotman, the host of Don’t Retire, Graduate, the podcast that asks you what you wanna be when you grow up so you can graduate into retirement with a purpose and a passion. Welcome to our diary of a financial advisor segment, where we interview financial advisors about their professional journeys and their passion for helping others succeed. Today, I’m pleased to be joined by Shakirrah Clarke Gunther. Shakirrah joined BFG Financial Advisors as a client service associate in September 2024, working with a talented team to support the firm’s mission of guiding clients from financial literacy to financial freedom. With over thirteen years of experience in the financial services industry, Shakirrah brings dedication and passion to meeting client needs and expanding her knowledge through collaboration with her colleagues. Originally from South Jersey, Shakirrah recently relocated to Maryland. She earned her BS in finance from Rowan University in 2020. And outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Eric Brotman [00:00:57]:
Shakirrah, welcome to Don’t Retire Graduates Diary of a Financial Advisor.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:01:01]:
Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Eric Brotman [00:01:04]:
So, Shakirrah, you have a significant experience in this field even though you’re relatively new to BFG. And so I get to put you on the spot. It’s my show. I get to do that. I get to put you on the spot a little bit and and ask how is this experience been different, hopefully better, but different than some of the experiences you’ve had in the past professionally?
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:01:25]:
I would say the experience is different because I feel like this has been more of a family dynamic than more so just going to work and doing the the norm. I feel, welcomed and very involved. You know, they, here at BFG, especially, like, Eric, Lena, you guys always include us in every, aspect. So I truly value and appreciate that. Also just, career oriented. Always try to figure out, growth within the company, you know, and, having those side conversations of, how do you feel? Where do you stand? Where do you wanna go? Which plays a a a great factor in, the aspect of my life and the things that I need in order to grow. As you know, I’m very shy, camera shy, everything.
Eric Brotman [00:02:23]:
But You mean your other your other employers didn’t have you on camera at all? This is new?
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:02:28]:
No. But this is what I need. You know? I need to get out of my shell in order to, you know, get out there and be able to, grow. So
Eric Brotman [00:02:38]:
So so in terms of out of your shell, I I need to tell the story of how you wound up here because this is one of my favorite stories. We’ve we’ve been at this thirty two almost thirty two years. And, and over the years, I’ve interviewed countless people for, you know, lots of different roles. Carrie, you had had, an interview early, and there was a second interview scheduled. And I was one of the two people who was supposed to be in the second interview. And interview time came, and no one came to get me. I thought you were late. I’m thinking, what is why would this person not show up on time for the interview? Well, it turns out she was in our conference room with the other person.
Eric Brotman [00:03:17]:
No one wanted to disturb me, so I missed the first fifteen minutes of the interview. And I walked in, and I remember vividly saying, oh my gosh. I apologize for being late. Please, I mean no disrespect. I I didn’t know you were here, and I don’t know how that happened. And we had our conversation and we had our interview and at the end, as I was getting up, I went to shake your hand and I said, you know, again, I apologize for being late. And she looked dead at me and says, don’t ever let it happen again. I swear.
Eric Brotman [00:03:45]:
And I was and so when we left, you you left the office, and I I remember saying to Becky and some of the others, I’m like, she’s one of us. She’s perfect. Because it was just so authentic. It was so, so nice. And most people will be terrified to say something like that, particularly to the guy in the CEO role, which which I am, though I don’t think I’m particularly scary. But nonetheless so why why financial services? Why is this what you decided you wanted to do for a living? And when did you decide you wanted this?
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:04:15]:
I think for me, growing up and, I grew up in in New Jersey, South Jersey specifically. Some may know the area, but Camden, New Jersey is a very, urban area, and it’s, mainly poverty. I grew up in poverty. And I think for me, I’ve just always wanted to strive for more in my life. You look at where I’m from, and it’s often like, okay. I know the things I don’t really want, so why not go for the things that, you know, that’s gonna take me to that next chapter. So I think for me, that’s what pushed me a lot. And just often not like, for me, I’ve had people around me, but they didn’t have that necessary knowledge.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:04:57]:
So it’s a learning aspect for me as I go, like, going through college, everything. I basically had to figure it out on my own. So for me and all my younger cousins, my nephews, just people in my community, I wanna be a pillar for them to the to be able to, you know, give them the advice or the knowledge of the things that I had to learn along the way. So I think that’s, what basically pushed me to, like, okay, let’s take this next move, you know? And then I came to railing, which adjusting and adapting was a lot for me because it’s just a whole new area, connecting with people. I think that’s why I fell in love with the area because, it’s a lot of connections that you can make along the way. So you have to, put yourself out there to connect and be able to, you know, get in the in in in the know. So I think for me, BFG, once we connected, I did work at a previous company, which it just wasn’t for me. And I think, again, like I said previously, I was looking for that home aspect because we are at work more than we are home.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:06:05]:
So you wanna have that that feel of, I just enjoy these guys all day. You know? So I think that’s what I value most at BFG, and I think, again, going back to growth, is what I’m big on. And I know within with our BFG, even some of the charitable, aspects that we do within the company and, just a lot of things, the podcast, you know, all of these things are new to me, and I just love it. I enjoy it.
Eric Brotman [00:06:39]:
So you mentioned, Camden, New Jersey, which I’ve always thought of as East Philly. But but, you know, you also talked about sort of the way that you the way that you were brought up and and the environment you were in. And I I’ve been to Camden, and it’s it’s rough. It’s a rough rough space. Do you feel the weight of of all of that regularly in terms of the the banner you’re carrying for your family, for your community, for maybe even even a broader net than that? Do you feel that as a, as a weight? And is that a motivator, or is that sometimes a a speed bump?
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:07:15]:
It’s it’s it’s the best of all four worlds, I would say. I do feel like sometimes, family, friends, they they look at me. They’re like, oh my gosh. You made it. You know? And I’m like, guys, I didn’t make it yet. You know? I’m I’m getting there. I’m working my way and, you know, just letting them know they can do the same thing along the way as well. It’s never too late to start.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:07:37]:
Me, I’m not gonna throw my age out there. You know? But
Eric Brotman [00:07:40]:
Don’t you dare. I would never ask. That’s one question I know better.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:07:43]:
But I was a late start. I was a late bloomer in the process, but here I am now. And I would just tell everyone, you know, just never give up and keep your faith. And I think a big thing was faith along the way for me. I just never, stop. And then I do have family that supported me along the way to keep me pushing and keep me afloat. So when you say, does it does it weigh on me sometimes? Yes. Because you look at you wanna bring all the people with you.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:08:10]:
You know, you wanna bring them with you, but if you’re not there yet, you have to get to that point, and then you can go back and do the necessary things for the people that wants that advice or wants to be helped. So I think that right there is what keeps me going along the way as well. So that’s what motivates me.
Eric Brotman [00:08:26]:
What is your relationship with money like? And I don’t mean what’s your financial plan like. I’m not asking for that. But in terms of growing up with what I presume was a scarcity scenario, has your money mindset changed over the years as you’ve become more successful and as you as your your friend said you made it? And I think you did. But but how has your money mindset changed? What is your relationship with money now being that you’ve seen so much?
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:08:55]:
My relationship with money, I I value it more. I think long term more. For me before it was just you get your money, you pay your bills, you blow your check. You know? That’s how it was.
Eric Brotman [00:09:11]:
Well, I’m sure I wasn’t around for that if you were buying. I didn’t know.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:09:14]:
Next time. I got you next time.
Eric Brotman [00:09:16]:
Alright.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:09:17]:
That’s good. But that you you you are more so living in the now than the future. And I think now at this day and age, I live for my future. I don’t wanna work all my life. I want my money to make it it I wanna put it aside and it just does what it do. I don’t wanna I don’t wanna touch it. Right? I wanna I wanna work for my money, but I also want money to work for me. Like, it that’s
Eric Brotman [00:09:42]:
I love that.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:09:43]:
What it is.
Eric Brotman [00:09:44]:
So so now that you’ve now that you’re starting to look to the future, this this lends itself to my favorite question. And I I no one gets out of this hot seat without answering this question. And that is, what do you wanna be when you grow up?
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:09:57]:
Okay. I think that’s my cue to go. No. Just kidding. What do I want to be when I grow up? Honestly, I don’t have a set thing I want to be when I grow up. Right. I just want to be a better, a better me, the best version of me that I can be.
Eric Brotman [00:10:20]:
And I I think you’re on your way. I have no doubt that that’s true. You know, there there’s a there’s a you mentioned the family atmosphere. Mhmm. And I don’t think there’s any question. And and from that interview that I shared, you know, you were one of us right away. So we’re glad to have you. Thank you for thank you for sharing your story.
Eric Brotman [00:10:41]:
Thank you for your authenticity, and thank you for being on Diary of a Financial Advisor.
Shakkirah Clarke-Gunther [00:10:45]:
And thank you, Eric, for the opportunity that you gave me. I truly value it and appreciate it.
Eric Brotman [00:10:50]:
My pleasure. I’d like to thank all of you for listening and watching today. If you enjoy our show, please subscribe so we can continue to be a part of your journey to financial freedom. We’ll be back next week with another engaging guest and in two weeks with our next entry in diary of a financial advisor. For now, this is your host, Eric Broughton, reminding you, don’t retire, graduate.
Unnamed Voiceover [00:11:15]:
Securities offered through investment services LLC, Kestra IS, member FINRA SIPC, investment advisory services offered through Kestra advisory services LLC, Kestra AS, an affiliate of Kestra IS. Kestra IS or Kestra AS are not affiliated with Brotman financial or any other entity discussed.
