David Bodner learned the value of money and entrepreneurship from a young age through jobs like shoveling snow. He gained international experience in college studying abroad twice in France. After graduating, he worked for several large financial companies but wanted more freedom. In 1998, he started his own financial planning business called Seymour & Associates. As a financial planner, he helps clients achieve their retirement and education goals through budgeting, investing, and insurance. Networking has been important for growing his business and helping other professionals.

1. TOLEDO EDITION HAPPY NEW YEAR! JANUARY 2010
David Bodner, Seymour & Associates
by Jessica Luther
D
avid Bodner learned the basics early in his life. As a child, September of 1998, and enjoys the freedom of running his own
his parents taught him about money, how to budget and business and the work of a financial planner.
live within his means, and the value of a dollar. “I am very “It’s not just about investments,” he explained, joking, “I’m
fortunate to have two solid parents who taught me money skills somewhere between a psychologist and an accountant. I have to
early on,” he said. understand complex tax ideas, in addition to being a people per-
David took that advice, and honed an entrepreneurial spirit son.” A rewarding, but challenging, part of David’s daily activities
from a young age, cutting lawns and shoveling snow every week is determining what is important for a client and then motivating
for neighbors. He recalled having six to ten customers per week, that client to take action.
and spending school snow days earning cash clearing driveways David’s specialty is retirement and educational planning, and
and sidewalks. During this time, his family also took in foreign he enjoys teaching families how to make their dreams come true.
exchange students on a regular basis. His parents hoped his Oftentimes, that involves explaining big picture conceptual ideas
brother, sister and he would learn new ways and then breaking them down into smaller
of thinking by interacting with people from pieces. Key elements include educating
different cultures. clients on budgeting skills and helping
David was influenced by this experi- them find resources in that budget for what
ence, and he studied abroad in France dur- is important to them. David is a big believer
ing his high school years at St. Francis and in “monthifying” or dedicating a fixed sum of
,
again during his junior year at the money each month to a big goal such as
University of Dayton. He graduated in retirement or educational funds. He also rec-
1991, with a bachelor’s degree in interna- ommends life, disability and long-term care
tional relations. David then moved to insurance when appropriate to maintain a
Cincinnati, where he began working at solid financial foundation.
Fidelity Investments. He specialized in His clients also come to him to help better
retirement plans and developed an understand their benefits at work.
expertise in the rules and regulations “I sometimes act as a human resources
which govern them. professional,” he laughs. “For clients who
After three years at Fidelity, David felt their are employees of large companies whose
business model wasn’t suited to him as it HR professionals may be too busy, I edu-
mostly involved interacting with customers cate them on the benefits that they have
over the telephone.David needed a new chal- through their company.”
lenge so he decided to go back to school. He David believes that networking plays a
moved to Columbia, SC to attend the David Bodner huge part in his business. When he first start-
University of South Carolina, which has a top- ed his business in 1998, he joined several net-
rated program in international business. While there, he returned to working groups, including taking a course from Certified Networker
France to take an internship in Paris as an internal auditor at a large of Ohio. This helped him to form solid contacts in the community
pharmaceutical company. and develop skills to identify what his business needed.
“It was a great experience, to live in a huge international city “At first, you are trying to promote yourself, but you also need to
with all people and the noise,” he recalled. “It also taught me an figure out what other people want. If you help others first and give
important lesson- that I didn’t want to be an auditor.” them what they want, then success will come to you.”
After traveling throughout Europe during his internship, If you found this story interesting, informative or inspiring please
David returned to the States to finish his MBA, graduating in let David know! You may contact David at 419-893-9759, email
1996 with a Master in international business. He returned to dbodner@finsvcs.com or visit his website: www.DavidBodner.com.
Toledo after 11 years, and began working at Owens Corning. David Bodner is a registered representative of and offers securities,
After two years he realized the corporate environment was not investment advisory and financial planning services through MML
for him and he decided to be his own boss. Investors Services, Inc. Supervisory Office: 1760 Manley Road,
David began working at Seymour and Associates in Maumee, OH 43537 (419) 893-9759.
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