By Paul ThielFor Peg Eddy, CFP (r), joining San Diego Social Venture Partners was a step toward a new phase in her life. Having founded and built a financial and business advisory practice with her husband, she was looking something to move toward as she built and implemented a succession plan.
“I’m a Type-A personality going at 120 miles per hour, so I knew I wasn’t just going to stop – I really need something to move toward when I finally hang up my spikes here” says Peggy. “Plus, I can’t tell my clients that that need to have balance in their lives and move toward something if I’m not doing it myself.”
Peggy has gradually been getting herself involved in SDSVP and recently joined the Board, where she will be working on membership recruitment and retention. She likes the SDSVP philosophy that Partners can be as involved – or as uninvolved – as they want. Says Peggy, “It’s a guilt-free group.”
Long involved in philanthropic efforts – she has played substantial roles over the years in organizations ranging from Lady of Peace Academy, Lightbridge Hospice, TKF, and Rotary International, San Diego Club 33. She is also the founder of the National Organization of Women Business Owners’ San Diego chapter and the Family Business Forum at USD – Peggy is especially interested in education and financial literacy training.
The latter is close to her heart – and her life’s work. Peg and Bob started their firm, Creative Capital Management, in 1975 to work with business owners and entrepreneurs who need help managing their personal and professional finances. They started the business shortly after they were married and had lived for a short period of time on the East Coast. Bob chose the business, and Peg got to choose the location. “I said I wanted to move to San Diego because we had friends here who would take us in if we we’re starving to death,” she says.
The first few months were tough. “We started the business by cold-calling on businesses in El Cajon during a Santa Anas – I remember it clearly,” says Peggy. “We went three months without a client. I was ready to hawk our wedding gifts.”
Things turned around, however, and the couple built a very successful firm while living a very active lifestyle and raising two sons. Sean, 31, graduated from Washington & Lee University and worked for Deloitte Consulting before earning his MBA at Northwestern University. He now works in strategic planning for Wells Fargo in San Francisco and his wife teaches at a private school in Walnut Creek. Younger son Ryan, recently engaged, graduated from Santa Clara University and spent a few years in public relations and as a volunteer firefighter before decided to do the latter full-time. Peggy recently did a ride-along with him, which lessened her anxiety about his chosen profession. “Ever since he was a little boy he wanted to be a firefighter,” says Peggy, “I think he was called to do that type of work.”
It’s no mistake that neither son is part of Creative Capital Management. Peg and Bob were very clear very early that working with them was not a birthright, and said that if they wanted to work with them they would have to interview, report directly to other people and earn a salary on a level with station in the business. Both ultimately decided to do other things.
Meanwhile, Peg and Bob designed and implemented a succession plan, and have in place one of the professionals who will take over the company in the next few years. Peggy will leave first – and get move involved in SDSVP – while Bob will work through the transition.
Peggy anticipates that SDSVP will provide the energy for the next phase of her life: “All of us need a purpose to get out of bed in the morning, and it’s different for everyone.”
An Army “brat”, Peggy has taken great delight over the years in getting deeply involved in the community of greater San Diego. Having attended eight grammar schools and three high schools – ironically graduating from high school in Coronado despite the fact that her father was an Army, not a Navy, officer – Peggy says her upbringing provided some interesting life skills. “I learned to work a room quickly,” she says. “Because I never knew when I would be leaving!”
Quick 4 About Peg:
What's on your iPod? I like quiet. But when I do listen, I listen to from Bach to the Beatles.
What do you like watch? Monk or PBS
What do you do for fun? Hiking, biking. We are a pretty active family.
If you could live somewhere for two years, where would it be and why? Bellagio, Italy. It's just so beautiful and relaxed and the people are friendly.
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