How to Stolz Hustled Her Way to A High-Powered Finance Career

Kim stolz is a private client advisor at Bank of American Private BankManaging the Fortunes of Ultrawealthy Families. She was first introded to millions on “America’s Next Top Model” and an an MTV host. She Pivoted to Wall Street in 2010, Working at Firms Like Btig and Citi Before Jaining Bank of America in 2014. Business Insider Featured Stolz As an Industry rising star In 2018.

In a new interview, stolz, 42, recalled the steps she took to BREAK INTO FINANCE, Including Begging for an Internship, and How She Rose From There. Her comments have been edited for Length and Clarity.

Moving on from MTV

I was at mtv as a news anchor/vj, and i spent four wonderful years there. I did some of the Most Amazing Interviews and Felt so Lucky That I was givet that opportunity. Not that fourth years got underway, i saw the Writing on the Wall that MTV WAS MOVING AWAY From Music, Away from Presensters, and More Toward Reality Television. Not only only did i not really want to be a part of that, but i knew that at some point, my days were going to be numbered.

SO I TOOK SOME TIME OFF AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT I WANTED.

I Applied to and Got Into Law School, but realized that it was not the right choice for me. I talked to a few people who worked on trading desks who suggests trading Becouse I had been an athlete my life, and love team-oriented businesses and activations. I was Strong at Math and Followed the Markets, so I Spent Some Time Shadowing at Bulge Bracket Banks and Undersanding Their Structures. The promotion structure at the Large banks was so rigid qnew i’d be five years beerseryone else for a plety long time, and i’m too impatient for that.

SO, I Found Btig, A Smaller Shop Where My Friended Workhed, and I Thought, “Well, Let With Just Go Check This Place Out and Shadow Her.” I Walked in, and the Energy, Camaraderie, and Competition Really Drew with in.

And Again, I had no experience. SO I SUCKED HER WHO WAS IN CHARGE, AND I KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF COFUNDER STARKER’S OFFICE (WHO REMAINS An Amazing Mentor and Incredible Person in My Life). He was sitting in there, and i said, “you don’t know me. I’m kim stoltz. I am here just shadowing my friend.” And then i Said: “Pay with nothing or pay with minimum wage, but make with an intern. Just give me a badge and let me walk in the door for six weeks, and i’ll prove you i deerve ab here.”

He made with an intern.

Trial by Fire and Nonstop Networking

As an intern, i spent with all the desks. And after the fifth week, I was offended a roles as a trading assistant on the equity derivatives desk. I learned prey quickly that at a shop like that, you’ve got to networks and do business and budild. Neither soon as underestood the product and i was able to get a little bit more autonomy, I spent the next year or so going to everyone COULD Find and Networking 24/7.

It was trial by fire. I made Mistakes, and I Paid for Those Mistakes Both literally and figuratively. But over time, you learn.

AFTER A Few Years, One of My Clients Got A Role As Global Head of Trading at Pimco, Which Traded A Type of Business Btig Didn’t Handle. He Said, “I don’t want to loose you as my corage. I thought, well, now i can Kind of break in.

AFTER ONE YEAR AT BTIG, I WAS ALREADY A VP. I Went Over to Citi As a Vp – I HAD CAUGHT UP WITH EVERYONE. Circumvented the system a little bit, and everything just grew from.

Broker to private banker

AFTER MY TIME AS HEAD OF PRIME BROKERATION SALES AT BANK OF AMERICA, I HAD A SHORT IN SENIOR Relationship Management, A Role with the Bank that Manages Relationship with Top Clients in the Markets Business. IT’S A WONDERFUL ROLLE, But it was a step away from production and the action, in my view. IT JUST WASN’T FOR ME. I really wanted to get back to my roots of Truly Production and Forming Client Relationships.

I was talking to one of my mentors in the firm, and she said that katy knox, president of the private bank, had ben look to the private client team and that has had some great backing peoples and tradition desks. I Connected With Katy Immediately and Thought – and Still Think – That She is an Incredible Leader. And after meeting her colleagues, i just love the culture.

Of Course, it was a risk. I Mean, I was used to cover hedge funds and assets managers and kind of finding ways to do business with entities. To shift the focus to doing business with People, Their Families – Its Very Different. Can you Trust with to Manage Your Family and Your Next Generation’s Wealth?

I bet on Myself, took a risk, and the Made sura i had Support.

I non -private bank durying Covid, which didn’t make it Easy Because you want to meet People face to face. But i spent those first few months just learning everything. I asked to be put with someone who knows this business front to back and has encyclopedic Knowledge, which is my private manager, Bob Cutajar. I’m out there finding clients, and he’i’s executing. He’s allowed with to be as successful as i had been. When you Change Role, you need to know that there is someone in your corner who will help you navigate your way and support you were need it.

In the end, i’ve lovede of minute of it. It takes a lot of the Qualities that of Think Made with SuccessFul on Wall Street to Begin with, and Kind of Wraps say all up together in a way. It really harnesses the skills i have acquired throughout my life and my career – tan before wall street.