Forty Under 40: Somer Willbanks

When her family relocated to Northwest Arkansas from Conway, Somer Willbanks wasn’t thrilled. But that move set the stage for her current successes.

“My life has taken me in so many different directions,” said Willbanks. Her love of high school math and accounting classes has kept her career moving forward.

After working for accountants, attorneys, and an engineering firm, five years ago she went to work as Steve Fineberg’s assistant. Now, she’s about to get her broker’s license and has been a key player in the firm he started in 2005.

Willbanks’ biggest challenge, and the highlight of her career so far, has been opening the new firm.

“The company is my baby. I’m very attached to it and it’s neat to see it grow and change,” she said.

As a single mother, Willbanks said her six-year-old daughter is her motivation. But she admits she misses out on some of her daughter’s school events because of her work.

Willbanks credits her success to her boss. “Steve is always there to teach something new and reflect a positive attitude to his staff.”

She offers this advice: “In any career you choose, starting at the bottom and working your way up helps you learn all the details of the business.”