Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Batres.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Where I started is completely different than where I am currently and I love it. Prior to the pandemic, I was a hip hop dancer/model for seven years. Pretty much right out of high school until I was 24. I loved everything creative wise and those two were the ones that actually built my brand through social media and reputation. I’d done everything from music videos to working with huge online fashion brands. It allowed me to travel quite a bit as well which was always something I wanted to do. However, when the pandemic hit, I was completely cut off from everything that paid the bills and kept me happy. This allowed me time to sit and think about what I really wanted to do next. When I looked around my industry, I realized that no one was financially prepared for the shutdown. So I asked myself, how much more prepared would we be in the future? Probably not much of a difference. What was missing wasn’t the “grown up, stable, corporate job”. It was simply financial literacy. Knowing what to do with the money I currently made so I could be prepared for anything else in life. I decided to get licensed as a financial professional. Someone who could protect people’s lives, health, and income. I didn’t expect to fall in love with this industry as much as I have. My first client was my own mom & it immediately took this business from my head to my heart. During this same time, I was baptized in the Christian church and began developing a purpose much bigger than myself. I now educate families and businesses on all their options when reaching their goals financially. I do this full-time (with the occasional dance or model gig just for fun!). My husband and I are currently working towards raising the statistic of millennials who become financial independent. While increasing the legacy, they can leave behind.
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?
I wouldn’t say smooth. However, I will admit that the only bumps in the road were the ones I was creating! I had to learn quickly how to get out of my own way. Rebranding was tough for me because I identified so much as a creative, when posting about finances, it didn’t feel like me yet. Then I realized that I could do both! I love sharing knowledge and giving finance tips on my page. I also still love dressing up and freestyling, but I make it fit into who I am as a whole now. Another struggle was discipline. I work for myself, so I have no boss. That can be so freeing, but if I take too much time off, my business isn’t growing. I now focus on grinding during office hours I set for myself while giving my full attention to family and friends during downtime. That took many personal development books, podcasts, and times with elevated individuals to create that within me. I even used to be extremely shy. On a dancing stage, I was a whole different person but off of it, I could barely start a conversation. Just in the past few years, I’ve developed the skills to talk to almost anyone, including large crowds of people!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m a licensed independent agent. Although my license is tied to Transamerica, I am able to represent many other top financial companies across the country. I focus primarily on figuring out what someone’s goals are and educating them about products or services that can help them get there. In our company, my husband and I have been able to give back more than ever before. Both with our time and especially with our finances. That’s what I’m most proud of, being able to create the life we want while having enough to donate back. I want everyone reading this to know that wealth can be reached by anyone willing to learn something new and work towards it, one step at at time. We sit down with everyone fully complimentary and host educational classes through Zoom often! Anyone looking to make, save, or invest more should definitely reach out!
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To allow yourself through doors different than what your used to. Transitioning into the finance field has grown me in so many ways. It’s also changed my life drastically and created opportunities for me to do more in life. I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I do and it’s all because I allowed myself to jump and be uncomfortable in something new!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.togetherfinancial.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katierose.bae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katierosebatres
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-batres-30b626b7/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wealthwife?_t=8d0aRTVgcWJ&_r=1
Image Credits
Matthew Ofalla Jorge Batres
