There came a time in Esther Althaus’ life when she realised she was going to need a career rather than a job.
She was in her late 20s, her marriage was breaking down and she had just had her third child.
It was important she be self-sufficient and stand on her own two feet.
She also knew that in order to do that she would need to trade in her part-time job at her father’s company, and pursue a career in the financial sector that she had long been “vaguely interested” in.
“I was going through the financial planning process myself at that time, getting my finances together and looking at how I could plan for the future,” she says.
“So I was living that process but until I did my studies, I didn’t even realise that this thing called planning existed.
“I remember loving it (while studying) and thinking that maybe I could turn this into a career.”
Althaus was also motivated by a keen sense of duty to provide for her three girls.
“My parents had given me and my siblings everything and were self-made, and I wanted to be able to do that for my girls,” Althaus says.
“I wanted to be a strong role model for my girls and to make smart financial decisions.”
Award-winning
However, Althaus’ attempts to secure a position in the industry fell on deaf ears.
She had all of the appropriate qualifications – more than she technically needed –but recruiters would not put her forward for a job.
“I went to so many interviews with recruiters and I was prepared to start at an entry-level role, but I didn’t get put forward once,” she says.
“I didn’t have sales experience and they saw a young mum with three daughters and thought, ‘What would she know?’”
Quite a bit, as it turned out.
Althaus was not prepared to just roll over, and one day she saw a man at her local park who she knew worked in the industry.
She asked if he knew anyone who could help and he gave her the contact for AMP Financial Planning. She established her own business, Perspective Financial Services, under the AMP licence.
Since then she has gone on to win a slew of awards.
Althaus was the inaugural winner of the AFA Rising Star Award in 2005 and served on the AFA board as Victorian director from 2008-13, during which time she helped judge the AFA Rising Star Award.
Education a ‘crucial component’
Last year, she was a finalist in the Female Excellence in Advice Award for 2015, and is heartened by the doors that have opened to women in the industry.
“Years and years ago, when I went to professional development courses, I would be the only woman there,” she says.
“But things have changed and women who want a long career in the industry can now have one.”
Althaus sees education as a crucial component of financial planning in the future.
“I think all of the key stakeholders need to come together to ensure the community is educated about the value of planning,” she says.
“As a mum of three daughters I also know the importance of women taking control of their finances.”
While Althaus may have had some tough times trying to break into the industry, a small measure of justice arrived two years after she had established her business when two recruiters called her on the same day.
“One of the recruiters wanted to know if I was looking for work, while the other wanted to know if I was thinking of hiring someone,” she says.
“To be honest, it wasn’t as if I was that happy like you may imagine. I am a realist, and I just get on with things.
“Whatever doesn’t kill you, just makes you stronger.”
Planner profileEsther Althaus Name of firm: Perspective Financial Services. Name of licensee: AMP Financial Planning. Years in the industry: 14. Academic qualifications: Diploma in Financial Advising, Graduate Certificate in Management. Accreditations: FChFP, Collaborative Professional (LIV). Professional association memberships: AFA, LIV, Other memberships: Victoria Association of Collaborative Professionals, Most Trusted Adviser. |
