‘Everything that I have sacrificed was worth it’

Nina O’Neal can now tick off one of many life’s accomplishments. She tackled last year what most advisors have started to do more frequently: launched her own RIA.

The partner & investment advisor at North Carolina-based AIM Advisors highlights it was one of her long-term goals for the firm and her clients.

“That was a really huge accomplishment, but it was a lot of work,” she says. “We felt like it was important for what we wanted for future growth. We believe the industry is moving more rapidly towards the RIA side, and the technology we could implement just really suited our client base better. And we could do so much more for them with that structure in place.”

This also plays into what she feels is the most rewarding part of working in the industry.

“One thing that I really love is being fully free of any sales responsibilities or corporate agendas that don’t align with my thoughts or what is the best thing for the client,” O’Neal admits. “I love being able to help people without any agenda. I am truly just focused on what’s right for our clients.”

O’Neal’s uplifting and selfless attitude are just few of the reasons she’s being recognized as an InvestmentNews Awards 2024 Excellence Awardee, with the winners announced on June 20 at 583 Park Avenue, New York City in a glitzy, red carpet ceremony. Click here to register to attend.

“It just makes me feel like everything that I have sacrificed was worth it,” she says, recognizing herself as an InvestmentNews Excellence Awardee. “I’ve missed a lot of time with my little ones, making sure we were building the business the right way and I’ve spent most of my days in the office with my team working for our clients. It feels like it is worth it,” she said.

O’Neal credits her partner and says having a male-female relationship as the firm’s operation is the biggest differentiator between herself and her fellow nominees.

“Two heads are better than one as we always say, but that also can really bring some different objectives and perspectives to what the client is trying to accomplish.”

For more details about the InvestmentNews Awards, including a list of all finalists and details of how to attend, follow this link.