As Mother’s Day comes to a close it’s a time to reflect on the important role that mothers play in our lives. For one family, this special day takes on an even greater significance, as it highlights the unique bond between a mother and her daughters in both their personal and professional lives.
Marilyn Trentos, VP, Portfolio Manager & Wealth Advisor, has two daughters that work for RBC WMC. Martine who works at head office, and Vanessa who works at the DS Richmond Hill branch. We spoke with Marilyn to hear the advice she’s passed on to her two daughters and the fresh insights she’s learned from them along the way.
How does it feel for two of your daughters to have chosen to pursue a career at RBC WMC?
I’m an RBC-er through and through. I feel blessed to have landed here and built a 40+ year career at RBC and the icing on the cake is having my daughters here following, to a certain degree, in my footsteps. Both began at RBC on their own merit through summer or part-time jobs and have worked hard to fulfill their career aspirations. I encourage them to blaze their own trail but I am happy they are doing so within RBC, an organization that has provided me with incredible support and opportunity. Needless to say, I am very proud.
What's a piece of advice you've shared with your daughters about navigating the industry and building a successful career?
The advice I have given my daughters is more so a demonstration of how hard I’ve worked to get where I am today, and the opportunities that it has afforded me. There was never really any spoken advice other than to be the type of employee that you’d want to hire; arrive early, stay late, be committed and engaged. People pay attention and those that work hard and do good work are rewarded. Work ethic is inherent, but the example I’ve set is one that they seem to try and emulate.
Have there been any fresh insights or lessons you've learned from the perspective of your daughters about the wealth management industry?
As a female in this male-dominated industry, it was very insightful to witness how unaware and unaffected they both are by it. It’s showed me that the wealth management industry is evolving to be more supportive of women, which is something I didn’t feel 40+ years ago when I began. I believe their unaffectedness lends a hand to their strength and confidence, which I’m very proud.
Adapting to changes and advancements in technology is something else I have learned from my children, as I’m sure many other parents have too. How they view technology has changed my perspective and the ways I use it personally and in my business. I focus much more on digital marketing than I once did and using technology to connect with current and prospective clients, as well as the next generation. Their insight on this has been invaluable.
But, perhaps the most important lesson I have learned from my daughters is how little young people know about finances and investing. My girls come by this naturally being around me; they were taught about credit and savings, investment accounts and the power of your money-making money from a young age, but many kids don’t have that knowledge. This has revealed a new passion of mine which is teaching the next generation about money and investing. I encourage my clients to include their children in conversations about money from a very young age, and when they are old enough to open their first investment accounts, allow me to take it from there.
How does your family celebrate Mother’s Day?
Mother’s Day is always a special celebration in our home. My daughters constantly amaze me with their thoughtfulness and kind gestures. I am fortunate to have my 84-year-old mother with us; a big part of my children’s lives who acted as their “second mother” so I could build my business. She is always included in the celebrations, which are just as much about her as they are me.
