Rene S. Licon Jr., CFP • Whittier, CA
RSL Wealth Management • SCF Securities Inc.
I grew up in a modest home in a primarily lower-middle-class neighborhood outside of Los Angeles. Both of my parents had good jobs and worked hard to provide for our family. They were a big influence on me, strongly encouraging a focus on academics and instilling the values of responsibility, generosity, and gratitude.
I was part of the first generation in our family to attend college. I earned a bachelor’s degree in political economy from the University of California, Berkeley. In college, I was an officer for the undergraduate minority business association, which helped minority students build contacts in the business world and find internships and job opportunities. That was very important to me, and after graduation, I continued mentoring undergraduates and alums as a founder and board president of the UC Berkeley Chicano Latino Alumni Association.
After spending about seven years in the banking channel as a registered representative, I wanted to be able to spend more time with each client and develop a fuller planning relationship. I decided to become an independent advisor. In 2005, I founded RSL Wealth Management not far from where I grew up.
I work with many different types of clients and am proud that a good number have been with me for more than 20 years. These are individuals and families from all walks of life, with a core segment of professionals and business owners. Many clients have come from humble beginnings and have built successful businesses or professional careers.
Most of my business clients are minority business owners. These clients are devoted not only to their families but also to their employees. While they are very successful with their businesses, many have limited education in managing their finances. What should happen next with the money they are earning is a big question for them. And that’s where I come in, helping them figure out financial priorities and a plan for the future. I can assist them with their personal financial and retirement planning, as well as in various business areas, particularly in setting up retirement and compensation plans.
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I am very proud to serve this segment and hope that I can play a strong role in helping these clients plan for a more successful financial future for their families and their businesses. Although I did not start my practice with an intentional focus on minority business owners, I think it has been a natural outgrowth of my experiences growing up, the mentoring organizations I worked with in college and as an alum, and my extensive community involvement.
I have served on a number of nonprofit boards, been a social services commissioner for the City of Whittier, and am a past president and current board member of the Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce. These activities require a lot of time and effort, but they also provide a great deal of personal satisfaction. They have allowed me to get closer to many people in the community and build a substantial network of like-minded professionals. Although this hasn’t been directly related to prospecting, it has had the secondary benefit of introducing me to business owners. Once they learn about my profession, they often express interest in how I might assist them as a financial advisor.
Disclosure: Securities offered through SCF Securities Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through SCF Investment Advisors Inc. 10150 Meanley Drive, First Floor, San Diego, CA, 92131-3008, (800) 955-2517. SCF Securities Inc. and RSL Wealth Management are separate entities. www.scfsecurities.com. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of SCF Securities Inc. or any SCF-related entity. RSL Wealth Management does not offer legal or tax advice. This material is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or attorney. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The data was obtained from various sources, and it is believed to be reliable. However, it cannot be guaranteed.
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Photography by Ed Carreon
