Spring is the season of new beginnings, and with it, we are excited to introduce our newest team member, Mar Sepulveda!

As an administrative assistant, Mar will be supporting our advisors and making sure our clients receive a VIP level experience. Born and raised in LA, Mar comes to us with eight years of industry experience as a banking customer service representative, and we are very excited for you to get to know her!

Mar recently completed an eight-year stint as a full-time mom of two young boys, and if that doesn’t say enough about her determination and stamina, wait until you hear what’s on her bucket list…

SO, “MAR”—IS THAT SHORT FOR SOMETHING?

It’s short for Marta—but most people automatically add the ‘h’ or call me Maria, so my mom started calling me Mar. I told her that would have been much easier to begin with!

WHAT’S YOUR IMPRESSION OF THE FIRM SO FAR?

Everyone here is amazing—they’re very easygoing and helpful. Just pleasant!

YOU MENTIONED YOU “FELL IN LOVE” WITH THE JOB AS SOON AS YOU READ THE DESCRIPTION ON THE APPLICATION—WHY IS THAT?

It said TriaGen was looking for someone who would make every client feel like the only client, and I love that. Because who doesn’t want to feel that way? I feel like that’s one of my specialties, so I’m looking forward to meeting clients and giving them the VIP experience.

HOW DID YOU DEVELOP YOUR CUSTOMER-SERVICE STYLE?

I do wedding photography on the side, and I take a similar approach with those clients —I need to make them feel like a model so they’re comfortable and enjoy the process. It also helps that I’m not a total stranger to the industry—having been in banking, I understand the importance of confidentiality and the responsibility of caring for someone’s money.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My mom—she was a single mom, and she did everything to try and give us the best life. She made so many sacrifices, and even to this day, she’s always there for me. She told me recently that she’s been working since she was 12, and her work ethic is still impeccable. She’s a great example for me, and she inspires me to be and do better.

AS A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?

I wanted to be a teacher. I was blessed with really great teachers, and I wanted to be able to make a difference in people’s lives.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND GIVE YOURSELF ADVICE, WHAT AGE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I would go back to when I was around 15 or 16 and I had my first job. I was in school, working, and just in a rush to grow up. I would tell myself it’s okay to take it slowly and not rush the stage of life you’re in —just take it one day at a time.

WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU DO EVERY DAY WITHOUT FAIL?

Not a day goes by without me telling my kids I love them.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO SPEND A FREE SATURDAY?

With my boys! They love Chuck E. Cheese and theme parks in general. When we have a chance to do a more elaborate outing with them, we’ll try Disneyland.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FAMILY TRADITION?

My mom is from a very small town in Mexico, and when I was a child, we started visiting her hometown every year. It’s a totally different life there—everything is very slow paced compared to here. Some of my best childhood memories are from those trips. I’ve taken my oldest, and I want to take both my boys soon.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

I love romantic comedies—like Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

I want to trek to the Everest base camp before I turn 40. It’s a 14-day hike, and it’ll definitely be more intense than anything else I’ve done, but I have a few years to train! I started hiking when my oldest was about six months old, and I used to carry him on my back.

IF YOU COULD WATCH ONLY ONE MOVIE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

P.S. I Love You.

WHAT IS ONE HOUSEHOLD ITEM YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

My air fryer—I used to make fajitas in there, but for the last few months, heating up the kids’ dino chicken nuggets is its number one use!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SNACK?

I cannot live without Fire Fritos and Dr. Pepper. Technically, they’re called “Flamin’ Hot Fritos,” but I just call them Fire Fritos.

COFFEE OR TEA?

I started drinking coffee just last year—for the longest time, I was running on water and Dr. Pepper! My favorite form of caffeine is still a Dr. Pepper.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD?

I want people to be kind to one another.

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Well, Mar, you are certainly doing your part to make that happen. Thank you for sharing with us, and welcome to the TriaGen team!

For more information about the TriaGen staff, visit our team page, and check out our other Team MemberSpotlight blogs.