From Dressmaker to Financial Advisor: Andrew's Inspiring Journey

Carlsbad, people, purpose, and impact, an essential podcast for those who live, work, visit, and play in Carlsbad.

Good morning and welcome everyone. My name is Brett Schanzenbach. I am the president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. I'm your host today, and I'm very excited to have with me Andrew Lipman. Andrew is a financial solutions adviser within Wealth Management.

Good morning, Andrew. Morning, Brett. Good to see you today. Pleasure to be here. Thank you.

Yeah. Great to have you. So we only met, like, what? It's been less than a year. Right?

Absolutely. Yeah. It was a it was a just wandered in here, and Yeah. You came right up to me at the door, and it's been, fast paced ever since. It was a

great experience from the get go. You, are a very recent transplant from New York. So tell us your your backstory and and, ultimately, what led you to kinda come west, young man?

Well, I had ended a long term relationship and, I only wanted to move one more time and I've been wanting to come to California for a very long time. And, I had the opportunity to stay in Oceanside at an Airbnb. And while I was here, I went all around. I went to La Jolla all the way back to Oceanside and I tooled around and I came back another time and then a time after that, and then I found the place that I'm currently living in in in, Aviara and it's the best move I ever made. I love where I am.

I love the community. I love the chamber, and just being here is just a fantastic experience.

Very nice. Very nice. And so you are a financial adviser. So tell us a little bit about that. What got you into financial advising role initially, and have you always been, or did you have some other career things along the way?

Well, I used to be a dressmaker in the garment center.

That's right. I remember that now. So, that was

a business that was going, downhill. Everything was going overseas. So I saw the handwriting on the wall And at the time, I was dating a woman who was a Merrill Lynch general manager secretary. And I was invited to their, Christmas party and I was introduced to him and he started to speak to me and ask me some questions. And, he said, you're selling dresses all over the country.

I said, if you can do that without, you know, sight unseen, then you could definitely become a stock broker. Mhmm. So it was seemed interesting to me, but I, you know, I had a good job and I was I was uncertain of the future and I really didn't know anything about it. So, I went to started going back to school at night, at NYU. I was singing finance courses and there was an instructor there that just got my juices flowing.

More than any teacher that I had ever had. It threw all my college and experience and it just it just steamrolled from there and, I ended up, you know, getting my license and going forward. Unfortunately, when I got my license, it was 2 months before the market crashed in 1987. Oh, wow. So I was like, oh, well, who's going to want Yeah.

You know, a a raw recruit, so to speak, when they needed to get back into the market or do whatever they did. So I just continued to go to school, and I, you know, worked and, you know, developed the client base. But it was it was rough at the beginning. And, but, you know, I've been going to school ever since, and I'm still in school now. I constantly take courses and things like that just to stay on top of everything.

Oh, that's amazing. So, started as a dressmaker and then moved into financial planning. So you mentioned how that original business you could see with so much stuff being done overseas, how that probably wasn't a long term sustainable business line. And now what? Because that was probably in the eighties that you kinda made your transition then in 90?

Yes. It was all well, it was yeah. It was it was 80 6 when I started, but it was it was also a cutthroat business, and it was also because all of the stores were consolidating. Mhmm. So a lot of department stores and things like that, which would be where the would be where I would sell my dresses to, were being bought up and and and sold out and things like that.

So you didn't have as many places to go even if you had even if you had a willing buyer. So it just became every every aspect of it just became tight. So I figured, you know, this isn't happening. And I was I was 29 at the time. So, you know, it was I had it was a time to make the move.

Yep. Still young enough to have a whole new career, which obviously you have done. So, and then I assume you still have do you have some family back in New York still or back in the East Coast? Or

I have very little family. I I I have very little family in general, but my brother lives in outside of Pasadena.

Oh, so he's already out here on the West Coast.

He's been here for 35 years, and I would come out here all the time to see him. I come out 3, 4 times a year, and that's one of the reasons why I wanted to move here, but I didn't wanna live north. I wanted to live, you know, a little more relaxing. Yeah.

Closer to the water. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, wonderful. Alright.

So here's here's the big question since, you're coming into Carlsbad with fresh eyes. What's been the most surprising part, and and I'm hoping surprising in a positive way, of, you know, that maybe something you didn't anticipate when you first decided to make this move that, you know, you've come to experience here?

That's a really good question. I'm amazed at the the openness here. I haven't met anybody that wasn't friendly, nice, just it it this whole attitude here was completely different. Even even in the chamber, I've always shied away from from situations like this in New York. It was a completely different feel.

The openness, the the desire to help, to build, to to network, to just to be friendly and outgoing and and and everybody trying to boost themselves up. And that that didn't exist. And and whatever chambers there were in New York, they weren't anywhere near as as large as this or as, you know, again, as open and and just just helpful.

Oh, that's very interesting. Well, well, I am glad that you, took a chance on us and made your way over here because it's been it's been great getting to know you. So why don't we do this? You're a financial advisor. Why don't we share with people what you do professionally?

That's also a good question. It actually sort of mutates all the time. Sure. I I I'm here. I do everything from pro bono work to work with high net worth individuals.

And everybody's situation is different, and I don't paint anyone with the same brush. So I use fairly sophisticated, some Nobel Prize winning philosophy software to just really get into people's psyche so I can figure out what they're all about, what their risk profile is, what their desires and goals are, some of behavioral finance and things like that. So I can actually draw or make up a picture so I can see from all different angles what they're about. And then that way I can figure out, you know, what's gonna help them sleep at night, what's gonna help them get to their their ultimate goal of financial security or, you know, longevity planning so that they'll they won't run out of money, which is one of people's biggest fears in life. As we live longer, we wanna make sure that we have the money to to sustain ourselves.

Yeah. So true. So true. And you see people working longer before they take retirement in some cases, not all, of course. But, yeah, that fear of running out of money is, very real.

Okay. We're gonna take a quick pause. We're talking to Andrew Lippmann, financial solutions advisor within Wealth Management. When we come back, we're gonna continue to unwrap financial planning, but other things that, Andrew has gotten himself into since he came here and, came to the left coast. Stay with us.

We'll be right back. So, Andrew, before we took a break, we were just talking about the how you help people and dealing with some very core, things in their life, financial security, long term financial security, which is fantastic. And you talked about how you use some sophisticated tools. So you're not, it's not like a one size fits all, which I think is fantastic. And I would assume that you probably still have some clients that you're servicing, you know, back from where you were based for so many years, and and now, hopefully, are building some out here.

So talk about that, that you how fluid and with the the Zoom world we live in, how does that all that work?

Well, it's, it's not easy because a lot of my clients are older women that, still need a lot of hand holding, still need a lot of understanding. So so far, I've been back to New York four times. Okay. And every time I go there, in addition to whatever else I wanna do, I make sure that I see all these clients. Yeah.

And, that was a promise that I made to them and, I'm a man of my word and, they're very happy to see me and just to, you know, just to talk, really. I mean, they miss me and, just long term relationships. That's what I'm also about. And, so and I do the same thing. I mean, I talk to them on a regular basis anyway, but it's not the same.

They're not they're not computer savvy, so it's not like I can do Zoom meetings with them. So, you know, they're, you know, they're they're they're they're learning to deal with it. Yeah. And that's fine because, you know, I I care about them. They're kinda like, you know, an extended family of mine.

Sure. And, and so far so good. And, you know, the the people that I've met here, different, completely different, you know, variety, a different I need a different approach. But again, it's the same thing. I'm I'm I'm building a relationship.

I'm not a transactional Yeah. Adviser. So it's, again, it's a process. It's it's it's involved. It's it's it's it's a relationship building.

Yeah. And, I have no intention of retiring, although I could retire, but I love what I'm doing and I'm meeting all these fabulous people here. It's just everything. And every time I meet someone, whether it's a chamber event or whether it's a potential client, it opens another door. I'm just amazed how how things are flowing.

Mhmm. And it's just it's just been a just a fantastic experience, and I just wanted to keep going. Yeah. It's so much fun. Oh, I love it.

I'm having such a ball here. You have no idea.

Oh, that's great. So, obviously, you're passionate and enjoying what you're doing, but one of your other passions clearly is kindness. It's all over your LinkedIn profile. Talk to us about that. You and I are wearing our kindness matters bracelets here.

Talk about that.

Well, the second person I met at the the chamber here was, you know, was Margie Malek, and, she's the head of Kids For Peace. And she had me sold from the get go, and, you know, I got involved there and I'm on the board of directors and, you know, it's it's again, it's another way of of of delving into the community. That's really what I'm trying to do here, establish myself because I plan on, you know, living my, you know, for the rest of my life here. So the more people that I get to know on a favorable and positive basis, and again, another thing that opens up doors, it's just everybody that I meet, especially under the kindness banner Yeah. Is just, you know, they're fabulous people, and it's just, you know, it's a learning experience.

It's it's also creating a sense of community and just just a social wonderful feeling of well-being.

Yeah. I love that. And so for those that don't know, I think probably a lot of our listeners know, but for those that don't, we have a corporate kindness, program that we established about two and a half years ago with Kids For Peace, where companies can be kindness certified. And I know you've jumped right into that, obviously, and now have joined the Kids For Peace board, which is amazing. So, and Margie heads that up here, at the chamber as a liaison between the two organizations.

So that's that's fantastic, and those opportunities are out there. If you're, if you're interested in learning more, please let us know because that's a very cool program and very unique to our community. And, you know, while we're on the topic of kindness, it is something that, as we approach a a national election that, you know, is in a little bit shorter supply. I I guess, at least from the online standpoint and the media standpoint, you don't feel, you know, you feel like this divisiveness. So I think promoting kindness has a lot of merit right now.

I think we're gonna need a lot of that. Yeah. And you and you could always have more. It's not, it's not anything that's in short supply, but more is better.

Yes. For sure. And I've also, as we've got to know each other, over this last year, found out we have a mutual interest in performing arts. And you actually came, to my daughter's play in Carlsbad last summer when she was Wednesday for, The Addams Family, but

I think And she was amazing in that too. Totally blew me away. I had no idea what to expect, and I was just totally blown away by that performance. As a matter of fact, I recently met someone who's involved in the community theater at the last at the last happy hour.

Nice.

And and we talked about that. Yeah. And it's, again, it's a it's one of the things that I support.

Yeah. Love that because I think you've gotten involved with New Village Arts, I believe.

Yes. Not as much as I'd like, But, again, I have so much on my plate that I'd like to do more and I I go to every production that they have. So, and I was a corporate sponsor at their gala too. So things like that.

Yeah. Wonderful. I was just well, we've interviewed, Christiane Koerner on this, and, she's on our

She's wonderful too, by the way.

She is amazing. Just had a chance to go to their, show called the Thanksgiving play last weekend.

That was very funny. I was at opening night.

Yeah. We laughed very hard. They do a great job. So tell us some of the other things. I mean, I think it's it's fascinating to me that you can come pretty much, like, I don't know if I should say knowing nobody.

Pretty close to No.

I knew nobody.

Yeah. Pretty close to knowing nobody, and now you're so busy. So what are some other things you've gotten yourself involved in?

I play competitive pickleball.

Oh, that's right.

Yeah. And, that's I mean, I was playing back in New York and one of the reasons why I came here was so I could play more than outdoors. Yeah. So, you know, I'm I play in tournaments as much as I can. I had one last week and where I actually finished second.

Fantastic.

Which considering I had 30 years on everybody in the field, I was very, very happy about that. Yeah. And I'm playing tomorrow, tomorrow night, and and they usually benefit tournaments. So, again, I'm contributing. Yeah.

I'm involved. I, you know, I meet other people. Again, you know, charities related and so I donate money and I I play in their tournaments and it's a it's a whole, you know, positive experience, which I I just love and, I wish I could play more. And Yeah. And one of my goals for next year is to be able to play, you know, a couple of times a week.

And I don't know how much better my game's gonna get, but I'm assuming practice makes perfect.

So Or practice makes improved.

Yeah. Well, let's go there. Right? That's probably true.

Oh, that's great. Now I have to ask with pickleball being this, you know, fairly recent explosion, like, how far back when did you first play pickleball? Was it pre COVID or

No. No. About two and a half. I would say two and a half, 3 years ago. Yeah.

But, I played tennis Yeah. You know, as a as a teenager and Sure. Subsequently over years. And I tried to get back into tennis and, couldn't cover the court, you know, with that thing. And and this is so much more fast paced.

Yeah. And, it's just it's it's a good diversion also. It's a it's a good exercise for me. And, when I'm when I'm between the lines, I don't think about anything else but but playing. It's so social.

Yeah. And as the saying goes, it says even even a bad day at pickleball is still fun.

Yeah. Well and what I like about it is, like, you don't have to have like like, with tennis, if you didn't because I played tennis as a teen as well. And, like, if you didn't get some lessons and if you didn't have a lot of time on the court, it's gonna be hard to enjoy it because it's it takes it takes a certain level of skill to enjoy it. Right? With pickleball, people can pick it up really fast and just get to a level of enjoyment rapidly.

That's the key thing. It's a level of enjoyment. And, you know, competitive basis is a little different Sure. Because, you know, it's, you can exploit when somebody doesn't know what they're doing. But again, there's 2 different types of playing.

I mean, I play for enjoyment and I play, you know, to win. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's a then there's a difference there.

But again, it's exercise. It's outdoors. You're meeting people. It's friendly. Everybody is so nice when they play pickleball.

It's just such a social game.

Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Speaking of your competitive streak, I mean, these podcasts take a while before they get published. But you and I are sitting here on game 1 of the World Series, you being a big Yankees fan as we've come to know, and there them being back in the in the World Series first time in a while, and, of course, playing a West Coast.

Now if it was Padres Yankees, which it could have been with Padres had quite a few minutes.

For the Padres.

For sure. That would have been, you know, it would be a lot more tense interview right now, but, Dodgers still are a West Coast team. So you got the classic East Coast, West Coast going on. So What's your give us your prediction. I mean, by the time people hear this, it's gonna be over.

And, so what's your prediction for the series?

Yankees in 6. Yankees in 6. Okay. That's a and I hope but but I'm looking for a really good series. I hope everybody shows up and plays the way they're capable of playing so that it it's good theater.

Yeah. It's live entertainment. It's the same thing.

Same thing for sure.

And I I I'm just really looking forward to it.

It, is quite a cast between the two teams, all the former MVPs and the they are both number one seeds, which hasn't happened in a long time. They're, you know, you got the home run leaders from the 2 leagues and all these things. So lot of offensive prowess there between the 2 teams. So it should like you said, it should be entertaining.

You know? There's also a tremendous history. I mean, they haven't played in 40 years, but, you know, it's still that that that that rivalry.

Yeah. It's still that very high it's it's kinda like a Laker Celtic type of NBA final type of thing.

Absolutely.

Classic, rivalry even though, as you pointed out, they haven't, had the chance to face each other in a while. And you also, are quite a, cook, and, you know, you you blessed us. You you you came and said, you know, I I've missed I missed grilling, and you guys have a grill on your patio. And we're like, we think it works. And so you have, pointed out that it does work.

Yeah. I mean, that that was that's so much fun. I'd like I like to do that again. It's just something that I used to do back in New York because I had a a fairly deep I had a smoker and a grill. Yep.

And we used to have 20, 25 people over on the weekends and I I would, you know, cook for all these people and it was something that I really enjoyed doing. Again, a social thing and it was just, it was just fabulous. And, I missed that. I can't do that in my development. They have, you know, they have a group, communal, communal stuff, but it's not the same cause I, I can't bring my stuff there and things like that.

And I, I love to feed people because, and in, and in my business I take people out. So that's how that, that's one of the, it's a, it's a good relationship building thing. It reduces relationship tension and it's just a great way to get people to relax and enjoy themselves. And I can't think of anything better than that.

Yeah. Well, food. Food's a great

Oh, yeah.

And and, you cook some great tri tip and some of you yeah. I've been, the beneficiary of, you know.

Well, it's fun. It's fun. I I kinda know what I'm doing. So it it it's it's enjoyable for me, and and and in watching people enjoy it also is is sort

of, you know, indirectly benefit from that too. Fantastic. Well, if somebody is meeting Andrew Littmann for the first time via this podcast, which is possible because you're still new to our community, is the best way to get ahold of you and learn more on your website, which I believe is www.inwealth.com. Is that right?

Yes. Yes and no. I would think that, you know, this I I post a lot. Yep. These things all need to be, refreshed, but I'm on I'm always working on that.

Yeah. But yeah, you can get a hint of who I am from the, from the website, more from LinkedIn. And, again, my posts and I have the software I I put up for it's it's it's complimentary. So you can you can do the, you can do the surveys and and and find out some more information about yourself. And then after you were empowered with this information, if you want to discuss it, I'm open for, you know, conversation and it's again, that's complimentary.

Wonderful. And, if you, if we both decide, because it's a give and take. Absolutely. That, you know, you like what I have to say and you've, you know, you experienced something that you've never experienced before, which would be my bet, and you wanna continue the conversation, well, that's where that's where the rubber meets the road. That's where we start talking.

Wonderful. So your LinkedIn profile, which, of course, would people can look up your name, Andrew Lipman, and that's l I p p m a n. Right? Correct. They can look you up on LinkedIn.

They can go to your website. I agree your LinkedIn profile is great. That's where I see all your, kindness posts and, other things, of course, too. But, but that's a great chance to to get to see, you and get to know you a little better. Of course, if they are, so inclined to come to one of our chamber networking events, there's a pretty high probability they might bump into you because you you network a lot with us, which is great.

You know what? I try not to miss an event, again, because I just get so much out of it that I I can't I think the only times I've missed anything was when I was out of town.

Sure. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I should also point out that, if you're gonna come, you should buy, a lot of raffle tickets because an Andrew wins a lot of our raffles because he play he participates.

So if you wanna beat him out, buy some tickets.

That's it. Correct.

Well, thank you so much for taking the time to come down. Thank you for becoming part of our Chamber family. We love having you in our family. It's been a lot of fun, and, looking forward to many more years together.

Yes. I me too. Thank you so much for having me. It's been our pleasure.

Thanks for joining us today on our Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact podcast. If you got value out of our episode today, please hit the follow button on your favorite podcast app, and please tell a friend. Can't wait to see you next time on Carlsbad People, Purpose, and Impact.