Coffee with Becky
Welcome to the first Coffee with Clemaeve feature on The Zeal, where we’ll get to know some amazing individuals over a cup of coffee—or drink of choice.
While enjoying a relaxing getaway on the Oregon coast, I got to chat with Becky Rooks. Her joyful presence, contagious laugh, and inspirational optimism are just a few things that will leave you feeling like you can achieve anything.
A little bit about Becky—she loves hot air balloons, red wine, and exploring new countries. She also loves to connect with friends over a walk around town or a night at a Symphony or Broadway show. Becky is a Private Wealth Advisor and, amongst many of her community contributions, she is a board member for the Dean's Council of Excellence at the Oregon State University Business School. She is one of the most generous women you’re sure to meet. Make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy a seaside chat with Becky.
Location: Portland, Oregon
Hometown: Gresham, Oregon
Go-to coffee: Black—boring but it tastes so good.
Favorite coffee spot: Home on my favorite couch looking out to the water.
Must-have accessory: Earrings. Colorful ones that bring out an accent color I’m wearing.
Favorite weekend activity: Staying in my pajamas, taking a hot bath, then getting back into my pajamas and doing a jigsaw puzzle.
Three words to describe yourself: Generous, happy, intelligent.
Let’s start with the jigsaw puzzles. What do you love so much about them?
They're colorful, they have a beginning and an end, it's something you can do by yourself, and you can also walk away from it. The different pictures take me places and bring different colors to me as far as the heart expands.
What is something that we’d be surprised to know about you?
I’m controlling. I like to know what's going on. One of the gifts from COVID is that I cannot control as much as I thought I could.
I can see how you love puzzles. I really enjoyed the one we finished yesterday. Now to your professional journey. Your career story is very inspiring. How do you define success?
Having really close good friends that you know will do anything for you and you would do anything for them. The right people.
Has your definition of success changed over the years?
I think I needed to get to a foundation of having some money and an understanding that I could always create it. The biggest leap was when I left a salary position for a commission position. When you can earn nothing it's very scary. It probably wasn't until the third year that I felt like "I got this” and even though there were some zero months, other months would work out. Also, there are people who have come into my life that showed me once you believe in the abundance around you, it will come. You can choose to be pessimistic or optimistic.
You’ve switched careers from accounting to financial advising and have been a financial advisor for the last thirty years. Do you have advice for anyone who may be considering another career?
Talk to people that are already doing things you might want to do. I have yet to meet somebody who isn't open to giving you 15 minutes to an hour to talk about what they do. Then, you can get more exposure. Sometimes you can shadow people. There are also amazing tools out there in that wonderful internet world. Listen to people who are sharing their stories.
What values are important to you in your career and work?
I feel like I'm extremely ethical—that means honesty to me. Give people choice. Your word is your bond. Be willing to admit your mistakes or that you don't know something, but will find out. That was another gift somebody gave me in my first year—you don't have to know everything. That's why there are people who have been in your career longer to ask the questions or find the resources.
Are there any issues you feel very passionate about?
Women being in leadership roles. It’s something that I've tried to be more immersed in and it has come in a couple of different fashions. For me, one is actually being willing to participate in a leadership training program that was for women at my current place. Also, I love giving away money. I will find causes like STEM for girls and things I think are important. I’m waiting until I retire to be able to get involved in a few more nonprofits.
Can you expand on this? Why do you love to give away money?
I feel like the more you give, the more you get. Hands down, I’d rather give you $100 than spend $100 on me. It just feels like the money is going bigger. There are people who are much more skilled at making that money do a better purpose than I could. It's also fostering their passions.
Do you have any advice for women to make an impact in their workspace?
Trust your voice. Another good lesson from my first year of this career was from someone whose wife was a speech pathologist. The first time I called to ask him something, he told me to call back later because “right now, your voice is too high and you’re losing strength.” I've never heard anybody talk about your vocal qualities before so it really got my mind thinking about that. He just shared that going up high and squeaky is often a female characteristic. When you're able to keep your tone steady and in a certain range, it demonstrates more confidence. Talking at a slower pace also allows people's ears to hear you better. So I called back in six months, and he said, “You are now going to be successful.”
Another fascinating difference between men and women is when there's a job listing that has 10 characteristics. If a woman doesn't feel she can check off all 10, or at least nine out of the 10, she feels she can't even apply. For a guy, if there's one or two that he can check off, he thinks, “Good to go, let me try.” We expect we have to do everything perfectly as women, and guys are willing to fail. We have to let ourselves have that grace or ability to learn through some of those mistakes. I think we do have to aim higher. We also have to continue to surround ourselves with positive people that support us.
You’re highly involved with different organizations and on various boards. Can you share a memorable moment from your experiences?
Probably one of my more meaningful was teaching a finance class at YWCA to teen moms. It was just talking about basic things that, unfortunately, a lot of people don't know how to do, like handling money. It seems natural to me, but it was nice and rewarding to be able to share some of those things.
You’ve spent a lot of time throughout your career saving money. With all of that money saved, how much of it do you allocate to enjoying life?
I don't know when it was, but there came a time when I never worried about what I was spending. When I got my first professional job, I started setting a certain amount aside for savings. If I saved what I needed for my goals, the leftovers could be spent. But I know that I don't do enough self-care. I'd rather give money away than do something for myself. I'm trying to listen more and say it's okay to take care of me. And it's also important because there are a lot of people who count on me. I forget that I need to be around to be in their lives.
What about taking vacations like these?
Originally, I purchased this timeshare to force me to take four weeks of vacation a year. But it's very easy for me to just keep working, I enjoy what I do. But I also know that I need recharging time.
Now, for a few quick questions. Do you have a favorite quote or life motto?
Help other people get what they want and you'll get what you want. That's the Zig Ziglar quote.
What about a daily mantra?
No, but I do like the fact that you get to choose to be happy. If I wake up a little grumpy, I think, “Okay, begone with you.” That's also what a coffee allows me to do—just sip and savor because sometimes I get on the hamster wheel.
What is the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Trust your heart. Trust your gut.
What is the greatest piece of advice that you could give to someone else?
Trust your gut sooner rather than later. Believe in yourself— know that you have all that you need or you can ask for help.
Another good lesson I learned: when you ask for help, it’s a gift to the other person because they want to help you. If you’re always doing things for yourself by yourself, you don't give them that joy that comes with helping someone. It's important to allow people to have that joy. I know what it gives me.
