Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Smith
Hi Felicia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Felicia Smith – wife, mother of three boys, finance expert, UCLA alum, avid gardener
I was born on the East Coast and raised in San Diego. Studied Sociology at UCLA and met my husband my senior year of college. We have three sons born and raised in the Los Angeles community of View Park.
I am a people person and dreamed of a career in Psychology. Instead, I started a career in finance due to my love of math and desire to learn about generational wealth.
I entered the financial sector after graduating from UCLA. Over the past 2 decades I have held many leadership positions in the areas of Investment and Client Services. Today I am a subject matter expert on executive retirement plans managing clients totaling over $10 billion dollars in assets. Here I strategize with Fortune 1000 companies to design and administer programs to attract and retain highly compensated employees. I also train staff on IRS guidelines for deferred compensation plans.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Early in my career in was evident that most people holding leadership roles in finance were middle-aged white men wearing the traditional black or navy suit. As a young Black woman, I learned the value in a strong work ethic, speaking up while sharing my successes and managing relationships. All while, bringing fresh ideas, a different perspective and a colorful business attire. These efforts lead me to becoming a Vice President before the age of 35. Sitting in my corner office overlooking Century City, I advocated for my department of 100 team members ensuring compensation was equitable, consistent and fair.
After 12 years, I was laid off following an acquisition and organization realignment. In a testament to managing positive relationships in the industry and delivering effective results, I was recruited to another high profile finance company and have been with them the past 11 years.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Finance is a broad industry descriptor. I am a subject matter expert with over 20 years knowledge in nonqualified deferred compensation. You’re every day person does not know anything about this retirement tool only offered to highly comped executives or board of directors. My clients love my consultative approach. I take very complex IRS regulations and teach those guidelines to new staffers in a succinct and informative manner.
I’m most proud of the way I have been able to utilize my finance career to support financial literacy, entrepreneurship and wealth building in my community. I have an acting role in the management of two family businesses that highlight the financial freedom one receives being their own boss, having multiple streams of income, and finding your passion. Paradigm Design Solutions, Inc is a packaging engineering and structural design firm that is owned by my husband. This highlights his more than 30 years in package design. EStrapz LLC is a custom electric bike company that was started by my HBCU educated sons, born out of their drive and love of outdoor sports.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I see the disparity in financial literacy in the Black community so it’s important for me to share what I think are basic tools that we all should do to build wealth. Here are some of my favorite books: The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom, Financial Literacy for Young Adults Simplified, and 7 Habits for Success
As you can imagine, work can be stressful at times. So, to relieve stress I love to garden and dabble in home décor. Gardening is time for me to reset and my edible garden allows be to enjoy the fruits of my labor.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
paradigmdesignla.com - Instagram: @mrssmithishome
- Instagram: @paradigmdesignla
- Instagram: @estrapz
- Website: https://www.estrapz.
com
