SER Familia Spotlight: Argenis David Biscardi, CFP®

When you talk to Argenis David Biscardi, CFP®, you immediately start to reframe challenges as opportunities. His story is one of resilience, transformation, and inspiration! 

We first connected with Argenis last summer, and he was so jazzed about SER that he immediately started fundraising for the event and is always willing to help in any way we need him to. 

His story is sure to inspire you as much as it inspired us. Here it is: 

Tell us about your career journey and what led you to the financial services industry. 

I earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 2006 and although I worked as an engineer for only two or three years, I quickly realized that my true passion was entrepreneurship. I ventured into business and achieved great success in the agricultural sector in Venezuela. Emigrating to the U.S. was a turning point—an opportunity to reinvent myself and build a new path as an entrepreneur. After deep reflection on the career I wanted to pursue, I chose the financial services industry, where I could apply my skills, determination, and vision to make a meaningful impact in our Hispanic/Latino community in the USA.

Who have been some of the most influential mentors or people in your life and career? 

My greatest mentors have always been my parents. They instilled in me the values of hard work, education, honesty, and treating everyone with respect and care. Professionally, I've been inspired by many successful financial planners and advisors whose wisdom I've absorbed through the years on podcasts, books, and education. Right before getting into this career (around 2017) I started listening to and reading Michael Kitces podcasts and content, at that time I had no idea what a CFP®/financial advisor did and the impact this career could have in clients' lives. Learning more about this profession on Kitces' podcast is what probably gave me the spark to pursue this amazing and fulfilling profession.

As an immigrant, we know that when we arrive in a new and different country, we must work tirelessly to achieve our dreams—we don’t have much time to fall into pessimism or procrastination. Emigrating to another country, work for myself, and do well by doing good for my clients gives me all the motivation and positivity I could ever need to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.

What daily habits or routines help you stay focused and productive?

First thing in the morning I try to take a few minutes to meditate and think about the vision I have to create positive change in my life and my clients' lives, and to reach as many people in our community as possible. It's what drives me each day and fuels my determination to focused and productive. I also like to continually educate myself via training, certifications, podcasts and read plenty of books. I feel that continuous learning helps me focus on my business and career.

What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?

As long as you keep working on reaching and helping as many clients as you can and never stop, success is guaranteed.

What’s one book, podcast, or resource you’d recommend to others in financial services?

Podcasts: 1. Financial Advisor Success from Michael Kitces; 2. The Efficient Advisor from Libby Greiwe🎙 ChFC, RICP, FIC; and 3. Masters in Business from Barry Ritholtz. 

Books: 1. Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth by Nick Murray; 2. The Game Of Numbers by Nick Murray; 3. Delivering Massive Value by Matthew Jarvis; 4. The One Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards; and 5. The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.

What makes the financial services industry a great place to work and why would you recommend it to young professionals and students? 

This industry is one of the few where you can build a career that allows you to do well for yourself while doing well for others. It offers independence, the potential for both financial and personal success, and the fulfillment that comes from making a meaningful impact. And if you choose to, it’s a profession you can enjoy for many years into old age.

What is the one thing you think the financial services industry needs to understand about Latine culture to better support their employees, current clients or potential clients?

We face barriers due to limited access to culturally relevant financial education, and a deep-rooted mistrust of financial institutions, often shaped by bad past experiences and systemic challenges. The industry can help our community by being proactive in providing better education resources that don’t assume prior knowledge, offer bilingual support, transparent fees, and culturally sensitive onboarding. Expanding Latine representation in the financial industry and designing platforms and services that center on our community can go a long way in helping bridge the significant wealth gap we face. Unfortunately, we’re still behind, and there’s much work to be done to catch up.

Connect with Argenis on LinkedIn.