Heather Quinn &
Barbara Bernstein

Highlights

• Tax Efficiency
• Risk Management
• Retirement Planning
• Investment Strateg

With expertise in tax efficiency, risk management, retirement planning, investment strategy, and wealth preservation and distribution, Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein of Fortuna Wealth Management & Insurance Services assist their clients with managing income, optimizing benefits and realizing a secure financial future. Both Barbara and Heather worked as producers in the entertainment industry before switching to the field of financial planning. 

Share a pivotal moment that inspired you to choose your career.

We were both drawn to this career because the work gets directly to the heart of people’s biggest concerns, which means we have the daily opportunity to create real, tangible impact for our clients. Finances can be one of the greatest sources of stress in a person’s life, but with proper planning our clients experience the freedom and confidence to focus on meaningful careers, family life, travel or whatever brings them joy and fulfillment. It truly is an honor to guide someone through this process, and we don’t take it for granted. 

Is there a myth you’d like to rewrite for the next generation of women in business?

It is important for women to believe in their own financial savviness. Data shows that women tend to outperform men in areas of practical money management. Women are more likely to take a long-term planning perspective, take more thoughtful risks, save more consistently and make careful, research-driven decisions. Just because men have traditionally been the financial decision-makers does not mean that women can’t or shouldn’t step up to the plate. In fact, it could be the best decision for their household or business. 

How can we support other women in business?

Champion them. There are so many talented professional women who do not self-promote, so take the time to make introductions, give referrals and share to your network when you’ve had a great experience working with someone. 

Any new projects on the horizon?

We are excited about a program we developed to help new female advisors all across the country build strong connections and study groups with other women in the field. The goal of the program is to increase the number of women who work in financial services. There is a great wealth transfer happening right now, and a large percentage of it will transfer to women. And studies show that women prefer to work with female advisors on their financial plans.

Describe a business decision that made no sense but turned out brilliantly.

Barbara: I decided to start my own business. Until that point, I had always been a salaried employee. I was single, had a daughter in college, a mortgage and all the regular responsibilities. I didn’t fully grasp how hard starting my own business would be. I thought people would flock to me based on our past business relationships. Not so. There were many sleepless nights, “robbing Peter to pay Paul” … but finally, after several years of being all-in, dedicating 100% to work, things started to get better. Eventually they got a lot better and became great. Becoming my own boss is the scariest and greatest thing I’ve ever done. I love helping other women take that giant leap.

Heather: I hired our team member, Alex, during the height of COVID when everything was shutting down and the market had plummeted by 30%. Objectively, this was a risky time to hire, but I had a gut feeling she was the right person for the job, and I was right. She’s an integral part of our team, and she has been from day one. The lesson is to trust your intuition. Sometimes, following the “advice of the times” isn’t going to create the best outcome for your life or business.

Disclaimer: Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) (life and disability Insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries, including Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance), Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein use Fortuna Wealth Management, Legacy Strategies and Insurance Solutions as a marketing name for doing business as a representative of Northwestern Mutual. Fortuna Wealth Management, Legacy Strategies and Insurance Solutions is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Heather Quinn and Barbara Bernstein are Insurance Agents of NM and NLTC. Investment brokerage services provided as a Registered Representative of NMIS. Investment advisory services provided as an Advisor of NMWMC.

Photographed by Shane O’Donnell