Published by Annah Russell, Director of Operations
I started in the financial industry when I was 21 years old. I did it as a summer job to begin with then fell in love with the industry and have now been doing this for 16 years.
I was originally a Kinesiology major and never pictured myself in the financial industry. The biggest irony is, my weakest subject while in school was math, and would have never chosen this path without the guidance and encouragement of the women in my life at that time. While reflecting back on those first few years, I will forever be grateful to them for sculpting me into the professional I am today.
I started working for my best friend’s family for a firm in Corsicana, Texas. Billie Love Robinson started the business in 1947 with her husband and became the first woman to be a licensed stockbroker in Texas. She would have been 25 years old at the time and a trailblazer for all of us to follow in her footsteps for years to come. Her daughter, Beth, had taken over the business by the time I had started. However, at 79 years old, Billie Love still kept an office and would come in daily to check on things. I can still see her sitting at her desk, snacking on plain yogurt today!
She truly loved wholeheartedly her family, the Lord, and the family business. She spent her life engrossed in all aspects of the community which she devoted herself to. She remains a shining example today, on how servings others and her community can affect so many around us.
In 2015, she passed away at the age of 90 surrounded by those she loved most in her exceptional life. Billie Love’s middle name was Love, though a family name, it could not have been a more appropriate one for this extraordinary and truly lovely lady.
To this day, I can remember her advice on wearing high heels daily. And yes, she was right, they were not the best decision at the time, and I am now paying for it regularly. The importance of showing up on time and the value of integrity and honesty. She was a true pioneer and someone I will forever be grateful for the example and model she was for so many people who had the pleasure of knowing her.
