We talked to: Jennifer Ewers of Edward Jones

We recently had a delightful conversation with Jennifer Ewers, a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones on Market Street. Jenny is hardworking, passionate about helping others, and is known for her contributions to the community through both her job and her volunteering. We are so fortunate to have Jenny as an integral part of downtown!

Hi, Jenny! Hi, Jenny! Please tell me a bit about your working past and about your current role at Edward Jones.

I worked with local insurance agencies, both at Webber & Grinnell and Finck & Perras,  for many years as a Business Development Specialist. A common theme throughout my career has been wanting the opportunity to form relationships within the community and really get to know people. That said, in my previous roles, I was often in a time crunch to  help people with claims, a binder for a house, and other time sensitive tasks. I always enjoyed checking in to see how people were doing, but that was more something I’d whisper on the side than be able to focus on. In my current role as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, I have ample time and opportunity to really get to know people and understand their lifestyles, goals, and aspirations.

In one of our BNI meetings several years ago, Laura Townes, who is also a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, helped me to understand that financial advising is all about creating strong relationships and focusing on clients. She encouraged me to consider becoming an advisor, as she felt I would excel at it and enjoy the work. It took me a few years to come around to the idea fully, as I honestly didn’t think I could do anything else after so many years in insurance. And yet once I started on the path toward changing careers, I realized that we never stop learning. I missed out on a lot of events and family time because I had to focus on studying, but my family’s patience and encouragement helped immensely. The route to arriving at this role was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve done, but also one of the most rewarding in the long-run.

I love having the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships with clients and help them feel empowered when it comes to finances and their future. We get to focus on their kids, pets, where they want to take vacations, and what their next steps could be in their careers. Oftentimes, people will come to me feeling stressed and ashamed when it comes to the finances. They might feel like they are behind compared to other people and feel embarrassed. It’s my job to help them focus on the future and not worry so much about the past. I like to say that it’s like driving a car—the windshield is super large and the rearview mirror is tiny. I need to know what they have and a bit about what they’ve done, but I want them to shift their view to what comes next. My approach is to help them break down each financial task and decision into “bite-sized” steps that feel manageable.

I really want to work with anyone who feels like they haven’t had a voice or haven’t been heard. Perhaps they had a bad experience or thought they didn’t “qualify.” In my opinion, everyone should have an advocate and an advisor—there’s no minimum to talk to me. When people come to me feeling alone and stressed out, I want to put them at ease. I’ve seen people physically relax sitting across from me when we start to discuss what next steps we can take and how everyone deserves to have support and guidance. After all, life is hard—I’m here to help!

I recently met with a small business owner. They were initially embarrassed because they didn’t have money to contribute at the moment. I helped them make a plan, figure out what they had accrued in 401Ks from previous jobs, and we just put our arms around the value of what they currently have. I want to empower them to make decisions when it comes to investing and moving forward with their new business. There is always something we can do to start out—even small steps are meaningful.

How do you feel about working in downtown Northampton?

I love being here! I’m near so many of my friends. I can pop over to see Maya at Beryl, Meaghan at Joe’s Pizza, Marisa at Forest Flowers, and Danny and Isaac at Familiars. There’s always something going on, and I get to be a part of it in the heart of downtown.

What is your favorite thing about the community?

Everything! The people, the care, the love we have for our nonprofits. Seeing Manna at work is so inspiring—they are providing more than just meals for people. Other amazing organizations and businesses include the Survival Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Hospice Shop of Northampton. The word “community” does not adequately convey the level of care that is behind our nonprofits, local businesses, and organizations. It is so refreshing to see so many people who want to get involved because they care about more than just themselves.

What are your "free time" activities?

I got to enjoy some time with my son this summer before he returned to school. I miss my adventure buddy when he’s at UMASS, but he’s really thriving there. I love getting to root for Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Cancer Connection, and I’m looking forward to the return of the Taste of Northampton in September. I just want to help as many people as I can, both at work and in my free time. I’m excited to be here and can’t wait to talk to more people and continue to grow in my position.

What is your favorite fall food and/or beverage?

A London Fog from Woodstar or Familiars and cider donuts!