We’re back with another “Meet the Team” – and this week, we’re getting to know the Founder and Owner of Clarity Wealth Development, Kay Dee Cole!
Meet Kay Dee
Growing up a farmer’s daughter just south of Corvallis, Oregon, Kay Dee learned the value of hard work and perseverance. She attended school in Corvallis and graduated from Oregon State University with a Natural Resources Economics Degree and minors in business and statistics. After college, Kay Dee worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a statistician in California and Colorado.
Her background and experience in running a floral retail business and being involved with the sale of the family’s business gave Kay Dee a unique perspective in family-owned businesses. With the help of my financial advisor, she decided financial planning was what she really wanted to do. After starting out in a large broker business, Kay Dee decided she wanted to help people plan for life; not just sell investments.
To that end, she opened Clarity Wealth Development in 2010 and became a Certified Financial Planner™ in 2012. Since then, her team has grown and thrived here in Corvallis. In her free time, she spends her time with her husband and two wonderful dogs, Bailey a yellow Labrador and Bella a Great Pyrenees mix.
Kay Dee is a member of the National Association of Professional Financial Advisors, XY Planning Network and a CFP® professional.
Hi Kay Dee! Tell us a little more about what you do here at Clarity.
I am what we call a Senior Lead Advisor here at Clarity Wealth Development. I’m also the Founder and Owner of Clarity Wealth Development!
Awesome! How did you end up here?
I started my career at another company, but after a while, I realized I didn’t like how I was being controlled. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, I opened Clarity on my own in 2010.
What about your job most appeals to you?
I love working with people! I love helping, and I do understand how money can be so emotionally charged, so I really get a sense of satisfaction working with people and helping them understand their money.
What was one challenge you faced along the way?
The biggest challenge I faced along the way was having cancer in 2013. I had ovarian cancer and went through quite an ordeal for a few years, but people stuck with me, we kept the business open, and here I am today ten years later doing really good!
That’s incredible! What’s one of your proudest achievements?
Well, actually, building this business is one of my proudest achievements!
I’ve also been married for 33 years, and I’ve got a wonderful life that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
What’s Your Secret Talent?
My secret talent is that I do painting! I do acrylic flow painting and although it’s kind of abstract art, I love it.
What do you do in your off hours?
In my off hours I relax; I like to go for walks. When the weather’s nice, I like to be outside in my garden and yard and just enjoy my family as much as possible.
One thing I have been doing a lot is reading. Some of the books I have been reading lately are the Courage to be Disliked. Also I just got through reading about teamwork and dysfunction in teams. One of the ones that really got to me was Deep Work. I’m a ferocious reader, and I love reading these kinds of books about those things.
I’m really controlling what I’m doing in my off time, and not getting wrapped up in things like my phone and my computer. I’m spending more time going out and spending time with friends and family in a one-on-one relationship, and not just through the phone.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I like anything by Journey, Foreigner – some of the old classics. I can sing along to almost all of those.
EMBED SONG
What’s your favorite season?
I do like spring. I do like summer. I do like the fall. But I don’t like winter.
Mountain, ocean or lakes?
Definitely ocean – I love being on the ocean.
If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be?
I would have lunch with my father and mother-in-law, who have both passed. I would love to just sit down and talk to them about some things I’ve always wondered.
The reason I say my dad is because he was really the impetus for me becoming an entrepreneur. He was one himself – he started with nothing and built up a good-sized farming business that I grew up on. I will always be thankful for that hard work ethic he taught me – and that no matter what happens you’re going to have good times and bad times and you just slog through the bad times, but it does get better. He was definitely right, and I would love to tell him that.
Lastly, what are some things you’re excited about in the coming year, both personally and professionally?
I’m just excited to be growing our team here. I’m also on a kick to get my health in better shape, so I’m looking forward to feeling better and having more energy.
That’s Kay Dee! Stick around for more “Meet the Teams” in the future, or check out our previous installments over on the Clarity blog.
Learn More About the Clarity Team
At Clarity, we work together to make your financial and life goals a reality. Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
