Jessica Carnes, our Operations Associate at our Columbus location, takes you through a day in her life.

Every weekday, we get our day started at the Giesting Financial Columbus office at 8 a.m. sharp. That’s when we first walk through the door and start preparing to take client phone calls and welcome them into the office. Working at the front desk, I’m usually the first person a client sees when they walk into our building. As someone who loves people and social interaction, that’s my favorite part of the job because it gives me the opportunity to talk to someone new every single day. You never know who’s coming through the doors, and you never know what they’ll need help with. Each person gives us a chance to solve a new problem, learn something or make a brand-new friend!

I’m also the voice on the other end of the phone when you call our office, so if you ever need to book an appointment, fill out account paperwork or request a service, I’m there to help! I prepare those documents and ensure that the processing of those service requests is as smooth and efficient as possible. Though our advisors handle your finances, I’m also responsible for onboarding all of our new clients. That means guiding you into meetings, adding you to our communication networks and enrolling you into our programs. Then, I keep you posted regarding news within the firm, or I contact you to book or remind you about upcoming appointments.

Another key part of making sure that our firm can function at its peak is cultivating an environment with a good culture. That’s why I’m in charge of keeping the office clean and stocking everyday items, including drinks and snacks. It’s yet another way we try to make you comfortable when meeting with us. Finances are stressful enough, so having those conversations when you aren’t feeling quite right can take a major toll on your mental health. Our goal is to help you to become mentally, emotionally and financially healthy, and we think all of those aspects are tied together.

So, I guess you could say that on a day-to-day basis, I do a little bit of everything. I work face-to-face with clients to help them book appointments and process their service requests, and I make sure the office is stocked with the groceries and supplies we need to stay running. I perform administrative tasks like processing account withdrawals, adding to client files and adjusting workflows, and I work closely with the rest of the team to accomplish our short- and long-term goals. Wherever I’m needed, that’s where I’ll be, from the time we open at 8 a.m. to the time we leave the office, which can shift depending on when clients need to meet with us.

If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call at (812) 565-2726 in Columbus, Indiana. I’m always here to help, and I can’t wait to talk to you!