Emerging Leaders/YPs Making their mark on the Bloomington community By Kasey Husk
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hen Zerina Razic first laid eyes on Bloomington, the Bowling Green resident was on her second interview for a job she very much wanted. She didn’t know much about the town but, she figured, it was just as good a place as any to start her career. Two-and-a-half years later, however, Razic – a financial planning associate at Hurlow Wealth Management Group in Bloomington – can’t imagine living anywhere else. “I just think, who would want to leave a place like this?� she jokes. While Bloomington may be well-known as a destination for college students thanks to Indiana University, the city has become increasingly attractive to young professionals like Razic, who say Bloomington’s welcoming atmosphere, opportunities for professional development and big-city amenities paired with a small-town feel make it a place where they want to stay long-term. And as these emerging leaders put down roots of their own, they are doing their part to make sure Bloomington retains what makes it special. “Everyone cares so much about the community here,� Razic says. “And Bloomington is so loving. We all want the best things for our community.� Now, four emerging leaders in the Bloomington business community are sounding off about how they are making their mark on the Bloomington community already – and giving advice on how others can do the same.
Zerina Razic, financial planning associate, Hurlow Wealth Management Group. (Rich Janzaruk / Herald-Times)
“When I did my leadership program, I got to meet professionals in the community who I wouldn’t necessarily have met. It was so cool to work with people I never would have interacted with on a regular basis.� — Zerina Razic, financial planning associate, Hurlow Wealth Management Group
Zerina Razic Whether she is networking with other professionals, applying for a job or just trying out a new volunteer opportunity, one thing has always been crucial for Razic’s success: getting outside her comfort zone. “I think I do a good job of trying things that make me uncomfortable,� she says, stressing the importance of pushing herself. As early as high school, Razic was jumping at opportunities to join organizations and clubs that allowed her to learn more about the business world and to meet and learn from professionals in their field. Now, two-a-half-years into her career at Hurlow Wealth Management, Razic continues to seek out new opportunities for professional growth and networking through her involvement with various groups in the community, including sitting on the steering committee for Young Professionals Bloomington. “When I did my leadership program, I got to meet professionals in the community who I wouldn’t necessarily have met,� she says. “It was so cool to work with people I never would have interacted with on a regular basis. “There was a common theme: everyone values and loves this community,� she adds of the group. It’s a tactic that Razic recommends to all newcomers to Bloomington, both on a personal and professional level. While Razic had nerves about moving to a place where she knew no one, getting involved with EMERGING LEADERS/YPs continued on page 10
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AUGUST 2019 | BIZNET • F7