We had the good fortune of connecting with Yesica Lemus Ibarra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yesica, how does your business help the community?
As a financial planner my services are centered on helping spread knowledge and resources about financial literacy to underserved communities. Many underserved communities lack access to basic financial education. I mean, I personally experienced this growing up in a low-income agricultural community where the poverty rate was around 40% and the main source of retirement income, if not the only, was social security. I witnessed the strength and resilience of hard-working American households, but I also witnessed the lack of financial literacy keep down a whole community. My educational approach to financial planning helps bridge this gap by teaching individuals about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt, empowering them to make informed financial decisions. Many individuals in underserved communities do not have retirement savings plans. Financial planning can help them understand the importance of retirement savings and create a plan to ensure financial security in their later years. I also partnered with a seasoned Certified Financial Planner, Tori Sierra, to be a financial planning resource for female entrepreneurs of color in customizing employer sponsored retirement plans suitable for them and their business. Our approach is unique, because not only do we take care of their employee benefit package, but we also create a financial wellness program that offers benefits for both individuals and organizations such as, improved financial literacy, reduced financial stress, better money management, enhanced retirement readiness and personalized financial guidance. By promoting financial health, our wellness program creates a more stable and productive workforce, benefiting both individuals and organizations in the long term.

What should our readers know about your business?
Being a first-generation Latina in the financial services industry has presented its own set of challenges. I had to leave home to build my practice, develop my client base from scratch, and start my career with fewer financial resources than my peers. In a predominantly male, non-Hispanic industry, I often faced feelings of isolation and cultural disconnect. Navigating these challenges required personal resilience, community support, and industry-wide efforts to foster diversity and inclusion. I am not your typical financial advisor, but that is my strength. My cultural and personal background has led me to innovative solutions and fresh perspectives on financial planning. My approach is rooted in resilience and empathy, traits I inherited from my parents, Jose Guadalupe Lemus Meza and Elvia Ibarra De Lemus. I look forward to meeting the next individual who needs my guidance in their financial planning journey. No plan is the same; each requires a tailored financial solution, and that is what makes my work exciting.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA has so much to offer, this is a tough one! I would say, start your mornings with a hike, there are many to choose from, but Runyon Canyon Park is always a great choice. For a combination of great drinks, food and people, head over to Benny Boy Brewery. This place is a hidden gem in Lincoln Heights. In your visit you’ll find a cider house, beer garden, an urban backyard patio and will most likely meet the owners Benny and Chelsey! Last but not least, a stop at the beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to a group that has mentored and supported me unconditionally: my fellow financial advisors, both past and present. The work of a financial planner can sometimes feel lonely, as it’s a competitive world of independent contractors building their clientele. However, I have been extremely fortunate with the level of mentorship and collaboration I experienced at my previous firm, Foresters Financial, and the ongoing support from my Cetera Investors family. In the ever-evolving world of finance, where new economic data is constantly emerging, having a roundtable of seasoned financial planners working in diverse markets is invaluable. Their guidance and willingness to share market insights have been essential to my growth.

Website: https://yesicalemus.ceterainvestors.com

Instagram: yesica_cetera

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yesica-lemus-516631123/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Yesica-Lemus-Financial-Advisor-100063504161357/?_rdr

Image Credits
Ashley Balderrama

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.