Suresh Sadagopan, a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines talks about his experiences with financial advisory, his approach towards clients and most importantly his passion towards his profession with Jayshree Pyasi
Suresh Sadagopan, a Master in Management Sciences degree from the well known BITS, Pilani entered the insurance industry through ICICI Prudential as an insurance advisor. His client-centric approach and focus enabled him to win over an impressive number of clients.
He began his independent advisory practice in 2004 by founding Ladder7 Financial Services. The basic principle that guides the firm is ensuring the financial well-being of clients in a planned and systematic manner. “We at Ladder7 take a holistic view of a family - their aspirations, expectations and their current assets and then recommend a suitable plan that will help them achieve their goals,” says Suresh.
A small dedicated team at Ladder7, tries best to understand and analyze the clients’ needs, their prior investments and asset liabilities, based on which they recommend investments to clients.
Being a fee-based financial planning firm, Ladder7, was partially affected by the entry load ban. “Prior to the entry load ban we used to earn a higher amount. For an investment up to 10 lakh, we charge 2 per cent and for 30 lakh, we charge 1 per cent. So, although we are able to charge a fee in every single case, our fee has come down,” says Suresh.
For a fee-based advisory firm, Ladder7 has done well to accumulate an AUM of thirty crore in six years of existence.
Suresh’s client base comprises 80 to 90 per cent retail clients. His major clientele is composed of upper-middle class families while the rest are HNIs. “My clientele has grown over a period of time, mainly through referrals. Moreover, since I write for some financial magazines, web-portals and newspapers I’ve made myself known as a financial planner,” says Suresh.
Suresh has written for a lot of well known newspapers like Financial Express and Business Standard and websites like NDTV Profit and Moneycontrol as a columnist.
Speaking about his success he says, “I believe honesty and integrity should be the priority as this is what builds up trust. You have to earn the client’s trust, which can be done only through good conduct and ethics.”
Suresh says that the since the MF sector is characterized by a lot of ups and downs, so being clear and straightforward with the client is essential. Suresh communicates as lucidly as possible with his clients about the risks involved with investments.
A Gandhian by philosophy, Suresh is also an ardent fan of choreographer Shiamak Davar. Inspired by Shaimak’s love and passion for his profession, Suresh believes if you follow something with passion, everything will be in your favour. He applies this very same philosophy with his profession and wants to take Ladder7 to greater heights and make the firm live up to its name.