We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina Briboneria and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
That sometimes it’s okay not having a “Plan B”. When I started my career as a financial planner, I knew that if I gave it everything I had as far as my time, energy, and the willingness to learn, I would be successful. In my 16+ years of being in the business, watching other colleagues and training staff, sometimes, people give up too early or right at the point that they are on the precipice of success because they had an out or “Plan B”. By not giving myself a way out, I’ve been able to learn different ways to think outside the box, grow to become a better leader, mentor, teammate, and see overall success in my life and industry.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Money is always a scary topic to think about or to discuss with people. Growing up, my family and I were not wealthy, and so I often wondered how life would be different had we known about various financial planning strategies available. So, when I started my career as a financial planner in 2005, I made it my mission to help educate and empower as many people as possible about their finances. I wanted to help people plan and reach their dreams, goals, and make sure they had the best information that was specific to them that could get them there.

When my colleagues and I started at oXYGen Financial in August 2008, we saw a need in the financial planning industry for transparency, independence, and providing clients with an unbiased approach to help them Breathe Easier® about their money, but more importantly about life! We created and trademarked the Private CFO® role that allowed clients to think of themselves as CEOs of their household finances and that they were running it like a business. Through the Private CFO® role, we became not just financial advisors that only handled their investments or insurances, but a person that helped them look at their financial lives in a more comprehensive approach. We helped clients set up their budget, shopped out their insurances, helped them do tax planning, and investment and estate planning, we also help clients set up their businesses. Many of our clients were used to people who only dealt with insurance or investments, but we had an approach that was all inclusive.

We started the company with 0 clients and $0 in assets that we manage for our clients, but because of the success of our model, we now work with over 4000 clients and manage nearly $1.5 Billion dollars across the country for our clients. The biggest challenge we saw when building the firm was getting our name and our brand out into the market place, so we did that through radio marketing, social media, doing complimentary seminars for companies throughout the city, and ultimately treating our clients like family. I truly believe what differentiated us was the care and love that we have for each of our financial planning clients. They’re not just a number at our firm, but they’re family, and we want the best for them.

What has excited me the most over the last 16+ years of helping clients plan for their financial goals, has been seeing them actually reach them. Getting their kids to college, people retiring, people getting out of debt and now able to save for their dream home, the excitement that clients have to do financially better for themselves excites me every day, which pushes me to work harder for them.

Lastly, I also just want people to know that you can start anywhere and with any amount when it comes to financial planning. You don’t need certain minimums to start planning towards your goals! You can do it!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I always like to describe Atlanta as a “Small-Big” City because of the many things you can see and do in such a short distance and period of time. Here are a few of my favorite places to check out for a trip to ATL:

-Do a Midtown/Beltline Bar Crawl during the day! Start at Zocalo’s in Midtown for their strong margaritas and then walk towards the Beltline, hitting up places like Ponce City Market, Two Urban Licks, LadyBird, and ending at Krog Street Market

-In the evening, checkout one of the awesome rooftop bars at 9 Mile Station, Clermont Hotel Rooftop. If you’re looking for a fancier cocktail bar, 12 Cocktail Bar is one of the faves, you’ll need reservations, so make sure to plan accordingly.

-On the days you’re not having cocktails, go Skeet Shooting at Tom Lowe Skeet, Trap, and Sporting Clays Range. Fun experience for those who have never been skeet shooting! Or, if that’s not your style, definitely check out the Coca Cola Museum and Georgia Aquarium. I love watching the Beluga Whales!

-When you’re ready to just sit down and have a nice meal with your friends, Barcelona in Inman Park is one of my favorite places for shared meals. After dinner, you can always walk to one of the many other restaurants and bars in the area.

-Last but not least, make sure to plan a day in Piedmont Park. I always call it the “Central Park” of Atlanta. My favorite place to sit is in the Meadows where you can get great pictures of the Midtown Skyline.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly believe there is no such thing as “self-made”. Through my personal experiences I know that it has always taken a village to help someone become successful. More specifically, I want to give a shout out to my family in Houston and Los Angeles, my wife Daniela Espino who has been there for me through the craziest of times for the last 6 years, my gym family at The Training Room Atlanta and Crossfit Terminus, my faith community at The Gathering Place Atlanta, my colleagues at oXYGen Financial, and last but not least my amazing clients who have trusted me and my team with the privilege to provide them the best financial planning advice in the city of Atlanta!

Website: www.CristinaBriboneria.com

Instagram: cristina23b

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbriboneria/

Twitter: @CristinaBribs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cristina23b/

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