You had better sit down because you are about to meet an absolute power house! This woman has an unstoppable energy and she honestly makes people’s dreams come true through her company, Serendipity Securities. She helps her clients with financial planning, educating them on important decisions that could change the course of their lives. She makes managing money sexy and embodies a badass lady boss.
THE STAR OF THIS BOSS LADY LESSON IS:
Julie Tauriainen
FOUNDER & CEO
SERENDIPITY SECURITIES
Introduce yourself to the community of lovely LEO & MAUDE ladies. Give us the 4-1-1 on Y-O-U.
Q
Our motto is: Who wants to fit in a box, anyway? How do you defy limits and live a life outside the box?
A
An Amazonian goddess by stature and attitude, fitting in has never come natural to me.
1) I decided not to have children. Even though our moms harangued me for grandkids, I decided to forgo being a mom. A traumatic ectopic pregnancy, some difficult medical conditions, and a late blooming realization that I didn’t “have to,” contributed to my decision. I didn’t anticipate how strong other people’s opinion of my choice would be, or how much time I’d spend defending it.
2) I proposed. Burned by my “never getting divorced” naivety of my early 20’s, I wanted to make sure I was really ready, since I was “never getting remarried.” (Pro Tip: Beware of the word “never.” It magically attracts the shit you think you don’t want in your life!) When we hooked up Travis wanted children, so we lived together for 7 years to make sure we were a solid fit. On the anniversary of when we met, we hiked to the top of Mt. Marathon in Seward, Alaska and I proposed to him – ring, down on one knee, the whole bit.
3) I left “the man.” My career in a male dominated industry hasn’t always supported boisterous, loud women with strong opinions or creative thinking and individuality. So, I created a company where we celebrate women living their best lives!
Q
What do you value most and why?
A
Time, ‘cause tick, tock. My most decadent treat for myself is sneaking out of the office during the middle of a workday and doing something for myself.
Q
Who has been your greatest influence? What impact did they make on your life?
A
My dad’s best friend, Coach Fred Crowell, owner of Northwest Basketball Camp. At 6’1”, I was barely mediocre at basketball but he taught me about setting goals. He said, “A goal MUST be written down.” Otherwise it’s only a dream. I’ve used this method personally since I was a gangly teenager with over-the-head headgear. I’ve also used it successfully, for 20 years, as I coach my clients. I take their dreams, turn them into goals, and help make them come true. I make “greams” come true, thank you Fred Crowell!! RIP
Q
Tell us about your current profession. What led you down this path?
A
Financial Advisor according to my licenses, actually, I’m a Money Coach. I coach and empower women and their families to protect their financial independence.
I’ll share my secret recipe with you! I’m not too swift in the kitchen, but here’s a winning recipe I’ve been perfecting for a few decades. No baking required.
1 part psychology degree
1 stint Social Security Administration
½ decade Alaska State Legislature
1 small business ownership experience
2 years Chamber of Commerce executive directorship
A dash shy of 2 decades Edward Jones financial advisor
Fold in a healthy dose of natural curiosity, a panache for engaging women, my COACH Approach™, and an obsession to promote women’s financial literacy planetwide, fuel it with my belief that understanding our finances will help women achieve equality and ….voila, Founder + CEO of Serendipity Securities!
Now, I promote women’s financial literacy in 3 positive ways, here’s how. First, I provide our Savvy Sisters with the right amount of knowledge, so they feel confidentAF in their financial plan. They’re empowered to make good financial decisions as we face life’s critical transitional moments together. In happy times, like retirement and family milestones and hard times like job transition, divorce or losing a spouse, we’re there every step of the way. Second, I teach children about money. Money savvy children have a propensity to become money savvy adults. And third, it’s our mission to donate one percent of our management fees to support women’s financial literacy projects around the globe. Our current focus project, through the Power of Love Foundation, awards microloans and business education to women in HIV-impacted Zambia so they can support themselves and their families.
Q
What does being successful mean to you? What bit of advice would you offer women who are striving to reach that success?
A
Fulfillment. Be honest with yourself about what floats your boat.
Q
What is one fun fact about yourself that most people would never know?
A
Here’s 3: I’m an ASA Certified Sailor. I’m a better than average cross country skier. My natural hair color is blonde.
Q
If you could share one piece of advice with women around the world, what would it be?
A
Take an active role in your finances. Understanding our finances will help us achieve equality.
Q
At what point in your life were you the happiest?
A
The last 10 years have been my favorite. Kaiser? California? Marina IUD?
Q
Imagine you are sitting in your childhood bedroom. What do you see?
A
A clock hanging on the wall, with a secret compartment where I hide my candy necklaces from Grandpa’s store from my middle sister.
Q
If you could go back and talk to your 12-year-old self, what would you tell her?
A
The medieval torture device your orthodontist calls a bionator and the upcoming over-the-head, shit-colored headgear you’re about to wear 24/7, through junior high and into high school, will foster an inner resilience and strength that will allow you to accomplish great things in your life.
Q
The world is constantly pulling us in a million directions. What healthy boundaries have you created in life to keep yourself from going insane?
A
I’m super picky about who I surround myself with. I protect my energy and my space diligently to avoid negativity and negative people. I’m also careful with the words I use, with others and with myself. When I catch myself thinking or saying something negative that doesn’t serve me, I take the time to reframe it.
I have a, No News policy, I actively stay away from the news cycles and their soul sucking polarization and negativity. I do catch 5-10 minutes of finance news in the morning while I’m getting my day started, so I’m prepared to respond to what clients are hearing.
Q
What self-care activity do you regularly practice to put your mind, body and soul at peace?
A
I’m big on hot yoga and hot Pilates. Yoga is my main jam. It’s my church, religion, exercise, meditation, play and it feeds my soul. I go 4-6 times a week. Basically the studio is my recharging station. I also get plenty of sleep.
Q
There’s nothing better than feeling head-over-heels, passionate-beyond-measure, butterflies-in-stomach, totally and completely in love. What do you do to keep the madly-in-love spirit alive in your (past or present) relationship?
A
This sounds mean, but time away. The sexiest time in our marriage was when we first moved to CA and hubs was working 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. I loved my freedom but missed him while he was gone and that made for years of steamy staycations.
Q
You are stranded on a desert island, and you can only have one beauty product. What product do you need with you and why is it a must-have?
A
My beauty secret is permanent cosmetics, so can I bring my Hydroflask instead?
Q
Tell us what’s next for you. Are there any exciting things on the horizon?
A
In 2024 we’re taking a Team Serendipity trip to Zambia, to meet first hand, the women and families we are helping! It’s going to be life altering. Know anybody good with a camera who loves goosebumps and travel?
Q
If you live to be 100 years old, what do you hope your life will look like?
A
I hope I’m full of sisu and as healthy as my 100-year-old gramma was!
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q
Amanda is a self-proclaimed snack queen, so she needs to know: What is your absolute, go-to, can’t-live-without, favorite snack in the world?
A
Dark chocolate. Cheese and crackers. If I’m trying to make a healthier choice, Costco nuts, mix one salted and one unsalted jar for optimal saltiness.
Q
Jen strongly believes in bringing the best you forward, so she needs to know: What one item of clothing (or full outfit) makes you feel like a rockstar every time you put it on?
A
My unicorn sparkle pants that I bought from Jen!!
Q
Amanda and Jen are huge music lovers, so they need to know: What song is your ultimate anthem? (you know, the one you can play a million times in a row and never get sick of!) Why is it your favorite?
A
During my Mid Life Opportunity, I wrote a parody to Counting Crows “Mr. Jones & Me.” It’s my break-up ballad and I love belting it out!
LOOKING FOR MORE? CONNECT WITH THIS BOSS LADY ONLINE!
A special thank you to Julie Tauriainen for sharing a bit of her story with us. Our hope is that this little peek behind the green curtain gives you something to connect to, showing us all that no matter how different we may be, we all have more in common than we think. Questions for the Boss Lady featured here? Leave a comment for her below!
Do you know an extra special lady who would be perfect for this interview series? Or maybe YOU are that special someone? Feel free to nominate them (or yourself) for a chance to be featured as our next Boss Lady.
14 thoughts on “Lesson No. 2: Julie Tauriainen”
This interview is beyond amazing. Questions and answers so on point. Reading this is the perfect start to the weekend, makes my heart full. More than grateful to be part of Julie’s team. Just this week, I joked that I need 10 more partners like her but know it’s an impossible find. Now I know how truly accurate that statement is! The best read!! Very proud to have this lady in my life!
Wow, Wai! Thank you so much! I’m so grateful for our partnership and your support. It was such a charge talking to you after you read the interview and hearing how inspired you were. Incredible things happen when women support other women and I’m so grateful for you! ? Now, let’s help more people! ??
xo,
Julie
Cousin! You are incredible! I think you should write a book when you retire as you are so gifted in your word usage and delivery (retire, ha!) Wonderful, inspiring interview. So happy that Serendipity Securities is such a success. Go, go, go!!
Diane, I see what you did there. ?Retire, ha, I’m just getting my groove on! Write a book, ooooh, really? Would you read it? I’ve had others make that suggestion, too. I loved this interview process and I’m really digging writing blogs for Serendipity. It’s interesting to me how much I’m enjoying writing! Thanks for reading and for the inspo. Love you, Coz! ?
xo
My sister is a Bad Ass Boss Babe! I knew a lot of the answers to the questions, but the clock got me! Pillaging your Halloween candy was one of my favorite pastimes. You have always been an incredible investor, saver of things, and Savvy Sister! I can’t even keep up (and not just because my legs are shorter). Love you BIG and am so proud of you.
Awe, Sis, thank you!! Haha, the clock, yes; I wonder which came first, the saving or the pillaging? I’m so happy we get to do life together. I love you, Shorty.
xo,
Your Savvy Sissy
What a POWER SOURCE!! I feel more confident and in charge of my life just reading about her!
Right?! She is an absolute power source and truly changing women’s lives. Go Julie!! xoA
Suzi, that’s so badass! Thank you. Confidence is so sexy, you Sexy Beast, you. ??
Already look forward to reading this a second time. I loved learning EVEN MORE about my savage sexy sisu friend. xx
I loved learning more about Julie, too! We feel so fortunate to have her as one of our OG Boss Ladies. xoA
I feel so honored, Amanda. The process was validating and therapeutic. Thanks so much for inviting me to be an OG! ????
It’s so heartwarming to hear how this experience was for you. Thank you for sharing your story with us (and our Maude-sters)! xoA
Lisa, thank you for the enthusiastic, early fan mail. ? Savage, Sexy, Sisu – I freaking love it! ❌⭕️