Close to one hundred thousand people in the United States are currently waiting for a kidney transplant. The average wait time to obtain a kidney is three to five years, and some patients may never receive one.
Last year, Nicole Polatis, CFP, made the decision to donate her kidney. The recipient? A woman Polatis had met only briefly while serving a mission in West Virginia. "People think it was such a sacrifice, but it felt like a blessing in my life," Polatis says. "It was a great medical miracle that I got to be a part of. I only wish I had another kidney to give away."
Though she had only one kidney to donate, Polatis finds ways to render selfless service on a daily basis. Through her career as a financial planner, she is able to help people better manage their money and alleviate financial stress.
"Growing up in rural Idaho, I saw family and friends who seemed to be winging it with their finances, and I saw how much stress and worry came with money," Polatis says. "I wanted to help people who were struggling in that way."
While a student at BYU, Polatis took an interest in a variety of fields before deciding to study finance. A personal finance class with associate teaching professor Bryan Sudweeks confirmed her decision and directed her career path. "In that class, I learned how much the gospel related to being wise stewards of our finances, and I wanted to teach that to people," Polatis says. "That class solidified my goal to become a financial planner."
To reach her goal, Polatis first took a job as a registered representative at Fidelity Investments in Salt Lake City following her 2011 graduation. While at Fidelity, she passed both the Series 7 and Series 63 securities exams as part of the training process. In her position, she gained extensive knowledge of trading and annuities.
Two years later, Polatis took a job as a financial advisor for Waddell and Reed in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. In her three years at the company, she became a certified financial planner and began working directly with clients to help them reach their financial goals.
Now at Rock House Financial in Farmington, Utah, Polatis develops financial plans involving investment management, strategic tax planning, forecasting, behavioral analysis, and education for families and individuals.
Reaching this point was no easy feat. Polatis worked hard to get started in the finance industry, and she continues to research to improve her skills. She also earned her life and health insurance licenses to have the knowledge to help clients in new ways. Over time, she has developed quality relationships with her clients. "I am a trusted resource and am able to help many people make wise financial decisions," Polatis says. "I am grateful to all my clients who have invited me to be a partner in their lives."
Outside the office, Polatis encourages others to engage in service. She is a member of the Junior League of Salt Lake City, which promotes volunteerism throughout the community. Polatis plays a large role in planning an annual health fair to provide free medical and dental services for those in need; she is currently the dental chair and will become fair director in 2020. She is also a member of the BYU Management Society.
