Marianela Collado is the CEO and a co-owner of Tobias Financial Advisors, an independent registered investment advisor in Plantation, whose vision is to inspire, educate and prepare clients so they can live the lives they want. Marianela has over 20 years of experience in the tax and financial planning arena. She has worked with many ultra-high net worth families and assisted with the implementation and reporting of complex income and wealth transfer strategies. She is often quoted in the media and is a frequent speaker on financial planning and tax. Marianela is a native of Queens, New York, but today calls Weston her home, which she shares with her husband and three young children.
Favorite Quote: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” – Sun Tzu.
Fun Fact: I am the youngest of four with three older brothers and the irony of it all is that while I grew up with three boys, I now have three boys of my own to raise.
What challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them? My biggest challenge was balancing my career and my family when we started having children. I am passionate about my work and when I found myself being tugged at and there being demands on my time, it was tough. I could remember being so close to taking that off-ramp and giving it all up, but in hindsight, I now see that I had a purpose and it was not meant to be for me to leave it all behind. I am so fortunate that I have the most supportive husband who always sees more potential in me than I sometimes see in myself.
What has been the most monumental moment of your career thus far? The one moment where I felt the most butterflies in my stomach was the day I, along with my partner, took over Tobias Financial Advisors. We believe so much in what we do and how instrumental we are in helping families achieve their financial goals and that having a platform to take our vision forward is truly a dream come true. It is just such an incredible feeling to be able to take over a good foundation and seeing it become great!
What’s the one piece of financial advice you regret not taking? I was about to say there are none until I quickly remembered one. I have always been a big saver. Since the minute I had my first job at 14 years old at Auntie Annie’s Pretzel. I am a true believer that you have to pay yourself first. About 15 years back, I ignored a cardinal rule when it comes to real estate. My husband always used to say, ‘you make your money in real estate on the way in,’ well, I didn’t listen. I got too excited at the prospects of buying a property in Orlando and went for it. Fifteen years later, it was the worst investment ever. I’m glad I finally got rid of it this year.
What’s the biggest financial mistake most people make? Living above their means. People may feel this pressure to keep up with the Jones,’ but the Jones’ will not be helping you get out of a pickle or support you in retirement. You have to make sacrifices and build a life for yourself where you have the freedom to make choices for you and your family.
How do you get first-time investors to alter their thinking on investing? It is all about painting a picture of the possibilities. Getting them excited about the power of compounding growth and savings. Living in the moment is great, but when you see what choices you can make today that will significantly impact your tomorrow, first-time investors are motivated to invest in their future selves.
