Experience and dedication are invaluable in finance, and Ethel J Davis embodies these qualities with unwavering commitment. With an impressive 35-year track record at renowned firms, including American Century, Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab, and Paragon Capital Management LLC, Ethel stands as a financial maven who has consistently delivered excellence, genuinely cares about each client, and makes it her mission to go above and beyond reasonable expectations.

What sets Ethel apart isn’t just her impressive titles but her heart, passion, and dedication. She doesn’t view her work as mere numbers; instead, she leverages her extensive investment experience to connect with her clients on a deeper level. She understands their unique goals, objectives, time horizons, and their emotional states of mind. Ethel is a combination of a wealth advisor, a spiritual and empowerment coach, and a trusted professional who is not judgmental and has a special love for people. Her approach goes beyond financial advice; it’s about extracting their stories, filtering information, and crafting customized solutions that nurture their dreams and honor their heritage.

Ethel’s journey in the financial industry was marked by pivotal moments and mentors who shaped her path. Mr. James Stowers, Sr., of Twentieth Century Investors (American Century), played a crucial role in giving her a “big” break. His accessibility and willingness to engage with employees left a lasting impression. Ethel wasn’t just content with her role; she sought knowledge, questioned the lack of diversity in wealth management, and sought advice to impact the industry significantly. Ms. Theresa Bishop, Vice President and Branch Manager of Fidelity Investments, was the professional who gave Ethel her next break in the investment arena. She afforded Ethel many opportunities, from formal training sessions at Fidelity’s corporate headquarters in Boston.

A lunch meeting with a female executive changed Ethel’s life forever by a lesson she learned in leadership. On a scorching summer day, dressed in high heels, the executive’s brisk walk felt like a Nascar Daytona 500 race to Ethel. For every step she took, Ethel had to take two. Even in high heels on a scorching summer day, the executive’s brisk pace tested Ethel’s temperament. Ethel rose to the challenge, pushing herself beyond her comfort level. Ethel pushed past her limitations and beat the woman to the restaurant door to show her there were no limitations, for she was built Ford tough. The tenured executive asked, “Ethel, did you think I was walking fast?” Ethel wanted to answer with a “hell, yes.” The executive stated, “I knew if you walked behind me, then you were a follower. If you remained at my side, my vision would be the only one you would see. However, if you passed me at my brisk pace, you had your vision.”

They have provided life lessons, shared personal and professional insights, and are always available to support her through the entrepreneurial maze. As an African-American woman, Ethel is grateful and humbled by the number of predecessors who have allowed her to step up on their backs and forge forward. She reminisced on times when women and minorities could not even vote, have the opportunity to attend college or pursue self-employment as a viable option to assist with wealth-building solutions.

Ethel’s dedication to customer service and productivity has earned her accolades and recognition from industry luminaries such as Mr. James Stowers, Mr. Ned Johnson III, and Mr. Charles R. Schwab. These congratulatory letters adorn her “wall of fame” as a constant reminder of her accomplishments and impact in her field.

In a male-dominated industry, Ethel’s journey has been marked by resilience, grit, and a commitment to walking straight and using her voice regardless of gender. She aspires to be a game-changer, a natural-born leader who paves the way for others. After the mentors and femtors have provided life lessons, shared their personal and professional insights, and are always available to support her in becoming the best version of me. She credits Michael Dayton, Patrick T. Callaway, Cleo Brager, and Karen Herman. They have provided life lessons, shared their personal and professional insights, and are always available to support her through becoming an entrepreneur.

Journey from Journalism to Finance

Ethel’s journey towards entrepreneurship and birthing VZD Capital Management, LLC took root at an early age when she started writing and reveling in storytelling. From a young age, she aspired to be an African-American version of the renowned journalist Barbara Walters. Her parents, who adopted her when she was just five days old, supported her creative pursuits, allowing her to explore her talents and dreams.

Ethel’s educational journey took her from Allen County Community College, the University of Kansas, National University, and Webster University. She received a Lucille Bluford scholarship to attend KU and pursue a degree in Journalism. Her writing skills led her to work in the field, including writing obituaries. However, her career path eventually turned toward the world of investments.

As a bounce-back professional, Ethel believes her “setbacks are setups, her tests become her testimonials, and her mess becomes her message. While she carried that philosophy in her heart, the most challenging moment, marked by a “business divorce,” prompted Ethel to take a leap of faith and establish VZD Capital Management, LLC in 2012.  While many people had encouraged her entrepreneurial spirit along her corporate journey, the fear of letting go of a stable income held her back. As a single woman with no other source of income, she initially allowed fear to hinder her dreams of becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur.

This pivotal moment in Ethel’s life marked the beginning of her journey as the founder of VZD Capital Management, LLC, where she would make a significant impact by prioritizing the financial well-being of her clients and communities. She swore to God, the Regulatory Commissioners, her clients and supporters, and most importantly to herself to remain humble and give grace, mercy, and forgiveness to those who might not have the same beliefs.

Supporting Underserved Communities Through Finance

VZD Capital Management, LLC, located in Lenexa, KS, is a Registered Investment Advisory firm with a unique and inspiring origin story. Ethel founded the company after facing a professional setback that led her to question her career and purpose. With encouragement from her immediate tribe, plus the Kansas City Business Journal of Women Who Mean Business, she took the bold step of starting her own business despite the initial nervousness.  She firmly believes fear should not deter anyone from pursuing her best life. She realized that fear was a hustler attempting to rob her of her joy, passion, and purpose-driven career.

In the finance and investment industry, Ethel observed a lack of representation of women, minorities, and many other underserved communities. This observation motivated her to create a firm where underserved communities would feel welcome and comfortable seeking financial advice from VZD Capital Management, LLC. She understands that knowledge is power but emphasizes that its true potential is unlocked when applied to one’s unique situation.

VZD Capital Management, LLC offers various services, including fee-based, discretionary investment anagement, executive coaching, customized seminars and workshops, and empowerment speaking and consulting. Ethel’s journey in establishing the firm was not without its challenges, which she compares to the child birthing process.

Ethel expresses deep humility and gratitude for the clients who chose to work with her again, highlighting investors’ trust and confidence in their advisors, regardless of their account balances. She firmly believes such trust should never be taken for granted, abused, or overlooked.

Personalized Approach to Fee-Based, Customized Investment Management

Every client holds immense value for Ethel and her team at VZD Capital Management, LLC. She is dedicated to exceeding reasonable expectations and emphasizes a personalized approach to financial planning. While the firm requires a minimum investment of $250,000, they take the time to understand each client’s unique economic history, current situation, and future goals.

Ethel draws a clear distinction from her previous experiences at other firms where the focus was primarily on the amount of money under management. At VZD Capital Management, LLC, they genuinely care about their clients, going the extra mile with handwritten birthday cards, visits during illness, and participation in family celebrations and funerals.  Ethel is committed to maintaining a personalized, client-centric approach and refuses to grow to a size where clients become mere numbers.  She wants to keep the client-to-portfolio manager ratio low so clients can directly access the decision-maker. Due to her broad base experience, she has worked with well-respected, elite portfolio managers who hire business development professionals to communicate with clients versus those who make the day-to-day decisions regarding monitoring and rebalancing their portfolios.

One of the firm’s standout features is the customization of portfolios. Rather than offering predetermined solutions or model portfolios, VZD Capital Management, LLC customizes portfolios to each client’s standard of living, longevity based on their family’s history, emotional and economic risk level, and understanding of how behavioral finance impacts financial well-being and overall health. Ethel often calls clients based on volatility factors, mental and emotional stress, and overall well-being to ensure they know she is thinking about them more deeply.

Self-Worth versus Net Worth – Compensation

Ethel is also passionate about her compensation structure, aligning the firm’s success with the client’s. VZD is a fiduciary firm where clients come first versus the firm’s compensation composite. Unlike some Registered Investment Advisors who sell commissioned-based products, utilize third-party money managers, or recommend annuities for every client regardless of their tax implications. VZD believes in earning the appropriate compensation by doing what suits the client. VZD Capital Management, LLC operates on a high standard of transparency, ethics, and moral compass to ensure the company’s operation protects the client’s privacy and minimizes cyber security risks.

Ethel’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through the Executive Mentoring program she founded.  This program provides opportunities for minority individuals to explore finance and gain exposure to the profession. Ethel recognizes the lack of diversity in the investment industry and believes in reaching back to offer opportunities to underserved communities. The first candidate was Nikisha L. Johnson, who remained active in the program for over five years. Presently, Nikisha holds the title of Senior Vice President, overseeing the execution and implementation of new processes and systems. Since the exception date, Ethel recently brought Nathan Salary, the second candidate, into the mentoring program. Nathan brings extensive knowledge to the firm’s digital space and voice-over work for the firm. He will assist the team with transforming mindsets that keep consumers hostage to paychecks, unfilling jobs, and negative beliefs passed down from generation to generation. The team will develop programs to remove doubt and change the trajectory of a scarcity mindset to a wealthy mindset.

Finding interested individuals for the Executive Mentoring Program has been challenging due to the dedication, commitment, and drive it takes to succeed. Ethel remains optimistic that the program will continue to evolve and grow by implementing a formal recruitment component.  The bottom line is to achieve a high level of diversity and inclusion in the financial arena – one person at a time. Ethel is passionate about helping individuals. Extract their doubts, overcome fear, remove self-doubt, and step unapologetically into their purpose without any chains holding them back.

Ethel views her employees as partners, values their dedication, and considers them family members. Every partner is looked upon as an entrepreneur, too, for she wants them to view VZD Capital Management, LLC as their firm.

She highlights the personal touches that differentiate her firm from the larger ones, such as visiting clients in the hospital, offering prayers if requested, and embracing difference with no judgment.

Dedication to Clients

Ethel expresses her sincere gratitude for the recognition as a 5-Star Wealth Manager by the Five Star Professional. She emphasizes that this award is not taken lightly, as it requires nomination by an external source. It is bestowed upon candidates who meet rigorous criteria, allowing them to join an elite group of advisors.

Ethel’s success is rooted in her authenticity and unwavering commitment to serving others.  Her small, minority-owned, and woman-owned Registered Investment Advisory firm is dedicated to serving every client, regardless of their account balances. She provides clients professional access to educational resources and makes herself readily available.  Ethel views her clients as partners and values their dedication, considering them extended family members.

Ethel highlights the personal touch that sets her firm apart from larger ones, such as visiting clients in the hospital, offering prayers if requested, and embracing differences.  While recognition is appreciated, her primary focus is on continuous improvement, never compromising on the quality of service provided. She recognizes that some firms advertise their performance metrics, which can be misleading, as these numbers depend on the suitability and objectives set by clients’ unique circumstances. She encourages potential investors to conduct background checks on financial professionals through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website. This empowers consumers to assess a professional’s background, ethics, and any history of complaints or settlements related to unethical practices. Ethel advocates for due diligence before choosing an advisor, cautioning against being swayed solely by a firm’s size, attractive advertisements, or celebrity endorsements, which may be financially motivated.

Emerging Trends in Wealth and Investment Management

VZD Capital Management, LLC has observed a trend of mergers and acquisitions in the financial industry, with larger firms acquiring smaller ones. Many small business owners opt to sell their businesses because they lack a formal succession plan. In contrast, VZD Capital Management, LLC aims to establish itself as an employee-owned firm, where partners must start at the bottom and work their way up.

Another noteworthy trend for 2023 and 2024 is the outsourcing of clients’ assets to third-party money managers, which reduces the responsibilities of financial advisors and potentially increases their compensation.  Most consumers may not understand this trend, as it involves fees and commissions that advisors receive from such arrangements.

Ethel is perplexed by firms paying external vendors to refer clients to them in exchange for a significant fee. Instead, she prefers the traditional approach of seeking referrals from existing clients and becoming an expert within the community.

Furthermore, VZD Capital Management, LLC is committed to supporting organizations that align with their values, including Awesome Ambitions, KSHB 41 Gift of Sole, United WE, and others deserving of their participation.

Balancing Technology and the Human Touch

Ethel recognizes the value of technology in streamlining operations and enabling more efficient processes. However, she and her firm, VZD Capital Management, LLC, strongly emphasize human capital. They believe in providing opportunities for individuals to join a top-tier company that offers financial support.

To stay compliant with regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and State Commissioners, the firm hires outside vendors to ensure compliance with evolving laws, amendments, and provisions. These regulatory changes often reshape how business is conducted in the industry.

While technology is crucial in expanding their reach, Ethel and her team prioritize the human element in their business.  They continue to explore new technologies, vendors, and business strategies to protect their clients’ best interests while maintaining their core value proposition of serving each client individually.

Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Banking

Ethel’s professional philosophy revolves around keeping God first in all aspects of life and loving her work. She believes that when you have a deep passion for your work, it doesn’t feel like a job. Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship, acknowledging that she didn’t reach her current position alone and that many people supported her throughout her journey.

Ethel’s roots trace back to Iola, Kansas, where her parents adopted her from the University of Kansas Hospital at just five days old. Her parents adopted three children in their mid-forties, and Ethel was the youngest. Her older siblings were highly athletic, but Ethel was academically inclined and believed she would be a respected journalist. She went to KU, thinking she would be at the top of her class. She has given her writing style and extensive background. She was devastated that her first assignment returned with red ink outlying her mistakes, which caused her to reconsider her career choice.  Later, she wrote a book named “Circles in Red” due to her experience with red ink indicating your mistakes. Ethel believes those circles were not mistakes but lessons to help her improve her skill sets.

In VZD Capital Management, LLC, Ethel follows a client-centric approach.  She treats each client individually, recognizing that one size does not fit all. Ethel and her team listen to each client’s unique needs and either build or transition portfolios accordingly.

For the near future, Ethel’s primary goal for 2023-24 is to expand the company’s territory and selectively add new clients to its roster. They have around 38 family relationships and aspire to reach $100 million in assets under management within the next three years. They aim to create a sense of intimacy with each client, understanding their families and legacies deeply.

Navigating the Path to Success in Wealth and Investment Management

Ethel offers valuable advice to those aspiring to enter wealth and investment management. She emphasizes the importance of self-belief and resilience in the face of challenges. Ethel encourages individuals to commit to lifelong learning and stay up-to-date within the industry.  Seeking mentors, both male and female (femtors) and coaches, can provide crucial guidance and support in the journey to success.

She cautions against letting negative influences and “naysayers” deter one’s aspirations and dreams. Instead, she stresses the importance of maintaining unwavering faith, even in challenging circumstances. Ethel believes in the power of finding a sense of purpose and legacy, even in times of pain, as she did when establishing VZD Capital Management, LLC.

The firm’s name is a tribute to Ethel’s deceased parents, Vergie and Zether Davis. She expresses gratitude for being chosen to help others discover and build their legacies, whether they are multigenerational families or entrepreneurs. Ethel underscores the significance of legacies, which precede inheritances and wealth transfers, in ensuring sustainability regardless of economic or political factors. Estate planning plays a vital role in preserving these legacies for future generations.

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Leadership plays a crucial role in finance and entrepreneurship, requiring individuals to manage resources proficiently, make calculated risks, and encourage innovation. Leaders in both fields must possess analytical and decision-making skills, while also inspiring and motivating their team members. Specifically, in entrepreneurship, leadership is about spotting and pursuing fresh opportunities, creating groundbreaking products or services, and successfully establishing businesses. Therefore, entrepreneurial leaders must demonstrate their creativity, adaptability, and ability to navigate through the volatile market conditions.

Meet Cort Twitty, a highly accomplished individual who has made a name for himself in the financial industry. As the Founding Partner and President of Law Ease AI, Cort specializes in providing customized financial advice, wealth management, and tax strategy services to his clients. He is also a renowned author, speaker, and weekly broadcast/podcast host, making him a sought-after expert in the field of financial planning.

Exploring Knowledge

Cort gained a wealth of knowledge by being mentored by exceptional individuals. Following the publication of his book, he made a decision to spend a year learning as much as he could from various sources and perspectives. He eagerly sought knowledge and dedicated his days to studying tax laws and financial solutions. At night, he delved into researching industries that had become stagnant in technology, yet had potential to thrive during tough times and provide relief to its users. He believed he had discovered a hybrid-REIT to establish, but after thorough analysis, he realized his initial assumption was incorrect.

From Idea to Partnership

Derek Iorg, a close friend of Cort, had been developing a technology for law firms over several years while also working in marketing since 2010. He informed Cort that his project was almost ready for release and that he had a patent pending. During a snowstorm, they attended a major league soccer game where Derek mentioned that his brain-child only lacked a team that could drive sales and oversee expansion. Cort and Derek had a strong relationship and he was aware of Cort’s capable team, who had supported him through thick and thin. Cort’s team possessed the skills that Derek’s project required for success. Derek felt confident about partnering with Cort to create Law Ease AI.

Revolutionizing Personal Injury Law Marketing

Law Ease AI is a unique product that combines AI and SaaS technology to assist personal injury attorneys in tracking the digital trail of their clients. This revolutionary software not only helps attorneys identify the source of each phone call, email or new client, but it also provides a comprehensive digital trail of their potential clients from the moment they show interest in the attorney’s services. The software’s dashboard can be customized according to each office’s preferences, and it seamlessly integrates with their existing workflow and software.

With Law Ease AI, any office with a marketing budget can effectively track where their marketing dollars are being spent and avoid wasting money. By knowing the source of each call, attorneys can allocate their marketing budget more efficiently, saving thousands of dollars each year. When a new lead calls, the attorney will already have an idea of their interests, allowing them to prepare better for the initial consultation.

Despite the significant savings that Law Ease AI provides, the services are affordable, and the company offers a customized demo and a no-pressure team to help the offices make informed decisions. The on-boarding process is fast, and each office is provided with a designated contact throughout the process, along with free support as part of the affordable pricing model. As finance professionals, the Law Ease AI team can calculate the annual savings for each office, which can be substantial depending on their marketing budget.

Efficiency Over Disruption

After consulting with several economists and experts, Cort has learned that the future of software is shifting towards efficiency rather than disruption. In response to recent layoffs, especially in the software industry, businesses are becoming more cost-conscious. Law Ease AI offers a solution that focuses on marketing efficiency, which makes it an ideal option for both single offices and large organizations owning multiple offices.

By streamlining the process of tracking marketing sources and leads, Law Ease AI helps attorneys allocate their marketing budget more effectively, resulting in significant cost savings. The software’s ability to provide a comprehensive digital trail of potential clients helps attorneys prepare better for the initial consultation, which leads to better client satisfaction and retention.

Building a World-Class Team Committed to Client Service

Cort is committed to personal growth and self-improvement, focusing on his mindset and serving the less fortunate each week. He believes in constantly learning from others and takes notes on how to become a better person, father, and teammate for his squad. Mentors play a crucial role in his life, with people like Cory Michael Sanchez, Ira Rosen, Kelley O’Hara, and Andy Weng providing valuable guidance and insights.

Despite the success of his company, Cort remains grounded by remembering his humble beginnings, including being homeless as a kid and his past failures. This perspective keeps him and his team focused on serving their clients with integrity and without ego. Every member of his team has faced challenges and come out stronger on the other side, which creates a positive and supportive work environment.

Cort’s commitment to personal growth, serving others, and learning from mentors has allowed him to build a world-class team that provides exceptional service to their clients.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Cort recognizes the importance of data and is passionate about helping businesses make data-driven decisions. When he encounters companies that only have access to basic information such as zip codes, he sees an opportunity to introduce them to the capabilities of his software. Through beta testing in various industries, Cort’s team is assessing how the software can most effectively impact a company’s EBITDA and will prioritize accordingly.

In addition to providing valuable data analytics, Cort’s company offers a range of financial services to their clients. From setting up retirement plans for small offices to helping individual staff members save money, the company is dedicated to supporting the financial well-being of their clients. By providing free access to their financial team, the company is demonstrating a commitment to creating long-term value for their clients beyond the software itself.

Overcoming Trauma and Embracing Mental Health

Cort has faced numerous difficult situations in his life, and despite his struggles, he has written a book entitled Godfidence: The Art of Quiet Confidence & Emotional Intelligence. This book details his painful experiences, including battles with suicide, homelessness, divorce, and intense feelings of despair. Having personally experienced the negative effects of such trauma on his mental health, Cort was motivated to write this book to encourage others to view mental health as a lifestyle choice. While having knowledge about business and finances is valuable, it is equally important to understand people and their struggles. This understanding helps build strong relationships and fosters greater comfort in doing business with his company. This approach is something that Cort and his team have been trained on, and they strive to maintain a solution-based mindset to limit problems.

Cort recognizes the importance of discussing financial matters and the vulnerability that comes with it. Regardless of one’s wealth, he understands the stress and anxiety that financial concerns can cause. Therefore, he values the opportunity to have conversations about money and takes this responsibility seriously.

Strive to be Different

Cort’s advice to those aspiring to become entrepreneurs and business leaders is to focus on becoming a difference maker in their own mind and heart. This involves working on oneself, serving others, and being kind. He suggests that if one cannot succeed by being better than the competition, then they should strive to be different. It is important to deflate one’s ego and treat people with respect and kindness. Cort also emphasizes that failures are an inevitable part of the journey to success and it is important to handle them with grace and learn from them.

In addition, Cort recommends obsessing over the end user of one’s company’s solutions. Instead of starting with how much money can be made, focus on providing value and saving time for the customer. He encourages always keeping a notebook on hand, as good ideas can come up at any time that could better the experience for the market, company, or person one is trying to help.

Securing Patents for Innovative Software

Law Ease AI has taken the important step of filing for both a non-provisional patent and a provisional patent, and currently holds a patent number while being patent pending. Despite the lengthy and complex process of documenting the software, the team is confident that they will be granted a non-provisional patent soon. Given that the software is designed for attorneys and involves a number of intricate moving parts and innovative technology, the patent application process has been understandably challenging. However, Law Ease AI is committed to seeing the process through and securing the necessary patents to protect their innovative software.

Committed to Adapting to the Needs of its Users

Law Ease AI is dedicated to continuously improving its product and listening to the feedback of its clients. The team is committed to adapting to the needs of its users and is constantly exploring new ways to enhance its software. With numerous long-term goals and ideas in mind, Law Ease AI considers each scenario from the perspective of its clients to ensure that its solutions are tailored to their specific needs.

Given the rapidly-evolving landscape of AI technology, Law Ease AI is also committed to staying at the forefront of the industry and evolving alongside it. In addition, the team has identified numerous other markets where their product could be applied, and they have already established beta offices in three other industries. However, Law Ease AI remains focused on serving the legal industry and will continue to be rooted in this field while exploring new opportunities for growth and expansion.