In the financial services industry, Fisher Investments stands out from the rest.
We believe If you’re a financial services professional, you’ve likely faced a decision when it comes to client relationships and juggling sales and service responsibilities. At Fisher Investments, the structure is focused on division of labor and enables employees to work in sales or service, and allows for movement between these areas. Each area comes with training, support, and advancement opportunities.
That clarity of focus is what attracted Jeff and Samantha to Fisher. We spoke with them to see how this specialization helps them grow while putting clients first. Their stories reflect how Fisher empowers client-first professionals.
Jeff: Sales without the spin
Jeff wasn’t looking to leave his previous firm but was open to a conversation. “I wasn’t looking to make a change,” he recalls. “But one conversation led to another, and I thought, this is exactly what I want.”
He joined Fisher Investments as a Regional Vice President of Sales, drawn to the firm’s specialized structure and clear division of labour. Unlike traditional financial services firms, Fisher’s business model enables each team to focus on what they do best.
“I don’t want my surgeon to also be my anaesthesiologist and my general practitioner,” Jeff says. “Same thing in finance; clients don’t want you to be a jack-of-all-trades. The best people are doing what they’re best at.”
With estate planning, portfolio management, and client service handled by dedicated teams, Jeff and his peers focus on building relationships and bringing in new clients. It’s a structure that, for Jeff, makes all the difference. “At Fisher, you’re allowed to own your craft,” he explains. “I’ve worked at other firms where priorities shift constantly. Here, my manager is sales driven. I’m sales driven. And the whole organization supports that.”
Training that goes beyond onboarding
One of the biggest surprises for Jeff was the training and mentorship. “The training is so much better than I ever anticipated,” he says.
Training at Fisher isn’t something that ends after your first week or month. As Jeff puts it, “The training is not only the first couple of weeks; it’s like the first couple of years. New hires aren’t left to figure things out alone.”
Jeff points out that many trainers have worked in sales roles, which lends credibility and relevance. “It’s not someone selling you training from a manual. These people have done the job.”
Lived experience translates into guidance that’s practical, relevant, and grounded in what success at Fisher looks like. “They know what it takes to succeed, and they’re here to help you get there. You’ve got the tools you need. But it’s still up to you to drive the business.”
A collaborative culture
Sales is competitive, but Jeff says Fisher’s culture is team-first. “At other firms, it’s ‘Here’s my secret sauce. I’m not sharing it.’ But at Fisher, top performers don’t hoard knowledge; they share it.”
That shared success culture keeps Jeff motivated. “It’s kind of like golf,” he jokes. “Even if you’re at the top of your game, you’re always trying to get better.”
Fisher’s reputation for integrity isn’t only a corporate slogan. Jeff recalls, “A client called me after seeing one of our ads and said, ‘It’s so refreshing to realize you are who you say you are.’ That kind of feedback is why I do this.”
Take a leap
Jeff has advice for financial professionals considering a move: “Take the leap and entertain a conversation. Making a change is never easy, but I don’t regret it for a second.”
Whether you’re familiar with Fisher or hearing about them now, Jeff urges you to reflect on your strengths. “If what you love is sales, meeting new people, bringing in business, being part of something that’s growing, there’s no better place.”
“If Fisher will have me, I’ll retire from Fisher.”
While Jeff thrives on sales, Samantha found her place by focusing on client relationships.
Samantha: Leading with service, not sales
For Samantha, wanting to build client relationships without having to be in sales led her to Fisher. In past roles, sales targets hindered meaningful client conversations. That separation drew her in. She wasn’t looking for a typical finance role built on cold calls.
She explains: “I joined Fisher Investments as an Investment Counselor because I wanted to work with clients without focusing the majority of my time on cold calling or door knocking, which are two things I personally don’t enjoy!”
“Once I joined, I was impressed with the emphasis on education, communication, and transparency. I knew I wanted to build my career at Fisher.”
Over time, Samantha moved through roles grounded in Fisher’s service-first philosophy. Today, she is an Associate Vice President in the U.S. Private Client Group.
Client-first service
Based at their Plano office, Samantha’s leadership role involves leading Investment Counselors and their managers, helping ensure they deliver exceptional service. “I’m proud of the work that I do, and it gives me great fulfilment to know I can continue to grow my career at a company where I can e: put the interests of our clients first,” she says.
“Sales and service are two distinct areas. This is a benefit for clients and employees,” she says. It’s a model that empowers employees but also builds trust. “When our clients are successful, it means we are successful,” Samantha says.
She’s also hosted client events across the U.S., a reminder that service at Fisher is about real relationships, not transactions.
Her attention is on creating the conditions for great service: “Most of my key responsibilities revolve around ensuring our Investment Counselors provide great client service.”
She believes the most important thing you can do is find a role that aligns with what you enjoy. “For those who want to focus on service, finding a role that supports division of labour is key. At Fisher Investments, our Investment Counselor role lets employees serve as the relationship manager for their clients.”
“There are wonderful career paths for those who love working with clients,” Samantha adds. “You don’t have to settle for a job that forces you to prioritize sales over service to be successful.”
The approach enables her to concentrate on what she values most: trust, education, and relationships. And it’s one she encourages.
Want to grow your finance career? Jeff and Samantha’s experiences prove putting clients first leads to success. At Fisher Investments, sales and service roles provide support and room to grow.
