LatiNa with
A MIssIoN
Story by Denise
Marie Photos for Latino Leaders by Raul Ospina
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With channeled ambition, grit, boundless energy and relentless determination, Darling Lie-Nielsen has a life-size goal – to achieve all that is possible and to always dream big. The then 21-year-old Cum Laude graduate of the University of Florida accepted a job with Northwestern Mutual and made it her goal to become a formidable success story of a Latina in the financial services industry.
oon she discovered her career at the company had much more meaning than accolades and recognition. She was touching lives in a meaningful way by working hand-in-hand with her clients to build financial security for themselves and their families, one conversation at a time. As a first-year financial representative, Lie-Nielsen faced what any new representative faces. “You work long hours and you endure rejection, but you pick yourself up and become known for something much greater than the financial services and products you offer,” said Lie-Nielsen. “Now integrity, focus and trust become your assets. And then you begin to build a practice and develop relationships that continue over a lifetime.” Because she was not independently wealthy, her address book was empty of client possibilities, and she had to start
from scratch. Now, more than 10 years in, her address book could rival some of the best in the financial services industry. One career challenge came on a memorable day during her first year with the company while striving to meet the required four daily appointments, a paradigm used in the industry to build strong financial representatives and drive production. As her day was winding down, Lie-Nielsen still had one consultation to complete in downtown Miami. The mass transit dropped her off four blocks from the law firm, and as she started to walk toward the building, the skies opened and a fierce downpour ensued. Arriving drenched from head-to-toe, Lie-Nielsen approached the senior partner to go over her pitch. Though he did not buy a life insurance policy from Lie-Nielsen on that day, she was not deterred. Before leaving, she showed him a list with the names of his colleagues that she was planning to contact and asked him for a recommendation, a tech-