Hello everyone,
My name is Magdalena Zborowski, though most know me as Maggie. I am honored to serve as Vice President and Associate Branch Manager at Baird, a role I've embraced since 2019. With over two decades in banking and private wealth management, I've had the privilege of building and nurturing lasting relationships with my clients. I am pleased to officially be part of the team with Jean Wolfe, Kurt Kobes, Anders Sandberg, and Molly Sproull.
Originally from Poland, I specialized in International Finance, Duty, and Taxes during my college years in Poznan. My multicultural background and fluency in Polish have been instrumental in connecting with a diverse clientele. Since 2003, I have primarily held managerial and client-facing roles, shaping my leadership style to focus on fostering trust and understanding within my team and with my clients.
I currently reside in Coon Rapids, MN, with my husband Eddie and our two children, Aleksander (16) and Victoria (7). Outside of my professional life, I cherish spending quality time with my family, exploring new destinations, reading, and engaging in outdoor activities like downhill skiing, hiking, and biking. Summer is our favorite time to appreciate these activities.
As we enjoy the summer months, many people are looking forward to vacations and staycations, beaches, and campsites, going on new adventures and revisiting old favorites. This summer, there is another event that many people look forward to and which will capture the attention of the world.
Of course, I’m talking about the Summer Olympics. They will start on July 26th and run through August 11th. The Paralympics will run from August 28th to September 8th. According to the BBC, it is estimated that Paris will welcome more than 15 million visitors this summer to watch the Olympics and Paralympics, with another estimated one billion people watching the events unfold on their preferred electronic devices. There will be approximately 10,500 athletes representing 206 countries competing in 329 events. That is almost four times more than the number of athletes that take part in the Winter Olympics.
This year there are a few new events featured including, for all you Michael Jackson fans, breakdancing. Kayak cross will also be added. Three other sports that debuted at the Tokyo Olympics and are back include surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing. Missing this year will be karate, softball, and baseball.
The Olympics are a celebration of human achievement, discipline, and international cooperation. Although I have never been an athlete on the Olympic level - not even close, I participated in international skiing competitions and can appreciate the hard work it takes to compete. Watching athletes from around the globe compete at the highest level is inspiring, and it reminds us of the importance of dedication and perseverance. Just as these athletes prepare for years to reach their peak performance, successful financial planning also requires long-term commitment and careful strategy.
How do the Olympics relate to wealth management and planning for your retirement? Probably the most important similarity is that for athletes to achieve the expertise and competitive edge to compete on a world stage, they start their training early and stay disciplined in their training for many years. Again, the emphasis is on discipline, planning, and starting early. But even if you didn’t start when you were four years old like many athletes do, the importance of planning, preparing, and staying focused on your plan is just as crucial.
Another big comparison is that most athletes don’t make it to the Olympics on their own. They have a team around them that is coaching them and helping them to train, see blind spots, overcome obstacles, and stay motivated to reach their goal. Your team should not only include us as your financial advisor and coach but also a good CPA who is helping you incorporate tax planning strategies and an estate attorney to help you maximize estate planning limits.
Interestingly, the Olympics have a rich history full of surprising facts. For example, did you know that Denver, Colorado became the first and only place in which a city refused to host the Olympics after winning an official Olympic Committee bid? That was for the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Thank you for taking the time to read my introduction and thoughts on the upcoming Olympics. I look forward to sharing more insights and experiences in future posts.
Warm regards,
Magdalena "Maggie" Zborowski