Member Spotlight: Julie Skye, Skye Advisors

Julie Skye is the principal of Skye Advisors LLC. She builds and manages investment portfolios that incorporate clients’ values into their investments. Her work focuses on environmental impact, social impact and governance (also called the “Triple Bottom Line”), which is a powerful tool in identifying risks before they show up in stock prices.

How, where and when do you get your best ideas?
While industry journals and publications are good, the best ideas come from my frequent travels to parts of the country that are ahead of Oklahoma when it comes to diversity, inclusion, sustainability and impact. Boston is my hub for connecting with analysts, data sources and managers who are doing this work.

What's a work tool or ritual that you couldn't live without?
I start my day scanning two different stock charting programs to cut through the noise of financial news, TV and social media. I also do quick reads of the Wall Street Journal, Barron's and Seeking Alpha. They help me prepare my mind for what the day will bring.

What skill would you like to master?
I would love for someone to magically drop every efficiency tool like calendar scheduling programs, go-to-meeting/zoom meetings programs and other tech tools into my head. Learning curves keep coming and are pretty exhausting!

What advice would you give to someone seeking to launch or grow a business?
Have a CRM up and running on Day 1 so you never have to dig for a phone number or email address, and stay on top of all tasks. Have a bank account set up before money comes in, and download transactions into whatever accounting software you will use. Also get your proformas built out on Day 1.

What's a big "win" you experienced in the past year?
On-boarding most of my clients from my old firm to my new firm with helpful tech solutions. Using new technology is hard but so worth it.

What are you most looking forward to in the year to come?
I hope to exhale a lot more! I've put the least amount of energy into accounting and compliance as I only had so much time. I need to really spend some time on my budget rather than shooting from the hip and running out of money by the end of each quarter!

Why 36 Degrees North?
The mental drain of getting through all the work while staying positive on the down days (like when a favorite client does not follow you to your new firm) can really take a toll. My emotional energy is boosted every day I walked into 36ºN and see one of the awesome team members at the front desk. Then walking into the kitchen with fab coffee smells and great food is a huge boost too. Kitchen conversations are a total life saver when you work alone with a headset on all day.

Do you want to give any shoutouts?
Levi, Sheridan and Tom are just a few of the smiling faces that always have the answer to a problem. Dustin and Sarah are always so diplomatic and positive. Amy Hamilton and The Popcorn Series is huge in bringing us the manageable bits of information and solutions we need.