Twenty years ago, Marilyn Dillingham had a dream to bring a much needed service to Logan County. She began by knocking on doors of small business owners, catching farmers home from the field on their lunch breaks, and visiting families at their homes to talk to them about their financial futures. She attached a nickel to her business card and left it with those to whom she spoke. She told them, "This is so you'll remember me."

Twenty years later, many of those same customers she first introduced to the idea of financial planning still have the nickel. Marilyn Dillingham helped guide them into multiplying their own nickels into a secure future for themselves and their families.

She opened her branch of Edward Jones in 1985. Her family came from Wisconsin 20 years ago to escape the harsh mid-west winters, and also because a friend of hers turned her on to the idea of bringing Edward Jones to Kentucky. He had successfully opened one in Richmond and spoke highly of the climate and people.

Dillingham traveled throughout Kentucky and visited many smaller communities. It was Logan County and Russellville that left a lasting impression upon her. She and Vicki Gregory, the branch office administrator, have been a team of over 15 years.

"We were looking to serve the conservative investor," said Dillingham. "I wanted to help people reach their financial goals... to put money toward the education of their children... to help them plan for retirement so that they can have the quality of life that they wish to have and can enjoy those years."

Her emphasis, which is the shared emphasis of Edward Jones, is on having a close rapport with her clients. She wants to meet face-to-face and discuss issues concerning their financial futures. "That's what sets us apart. Having a close relationship with our clients is what we see as our main goal. I want them to be able to come in anytime and look me in the eye and tell me what their concerns are."

Dillingham attended the University of Wisconsin, but as many realize after college, the real world still had a lot to teach her. She spent 13 years prior to being referred to Edward Jones in the financial industry.

"The challenging part of the job is to continue doing the best I possibly can to help clients meet goals, even during stock market corrections," said Dillingham. "I make sure that their portfolios are balanced and properly diversified. The most successful investors are not those that jump and buy the 'hottest' stocks or the 'big winning' stocks, but are rather those who stay the course. A proper balance will stand the test of time."

She not only wants to help clients invest properly, but also wants them to know as much as they can about the world of finances. It is for that reason that Edward Jones, which has two branches in Logan County- the second opened four years ago by Richard Gregory- holds special investing classes and seminars for the clients. They also host a special Christmas open house for their clients, which has been a tradition for more than 15 years.

"I don't want to see even one person make a bad decision," said Dillingham. She has regular portfolio reviews with clients, but says they are free to come in anytime in between if they have concerns.

Dillingham is also a part of a group called the "Grass Roots Task Force." This task force speaks to representatives and senators on behalf of the concerns of their clients. This is a voluntary position in which Dillingham and other investment representatives are basically "unpaid lobbyists" on behalf of their clients.

She also has the duty of training and mentoring new investment representatives for Edward Jones in Kentucky. She travels frequently to help others become the best they can be in financial management.

Dillingham expressed her gratitude to the people of Logan County for the tremendous growth her business has experienced over the years and the trust they have placed in her. "Our investors are more than clients to me; they are my friends as well." The long-term relationship she has with her clients allows her to help them with their estate planning needs.

Investing isn't a get-rich quick scheme. It is about patience and persistence and having a positive outlook.

"I remember in 1986, three very well-respected gentlemen, who had been in the financial industry for probably 50 years each, predicted the Dow Jones to reach 3500," said Dillingham. "The financial community told those men that they thought it was time for them to retire. People thought it would never happen. Now the Dow is knocking on 11,000," she laughed.

She explained that, by the 'rule of 72,' if the Dow goes up 7.2 percent for the next 10 years, 21,000 isn't an unrealistic mark for the Dow Jones to reach by 2015.

"My greatest joy is when a young person comes in, wanting to begin investing their money," she said. "More and more, younger people are beginning to realize that it really pays off, literally, to begin early."

In one scenario, she explained that a 20-year-old could invest $2000 a year for 10 years, and not touch it again, leaving it in investments, but not adding any more money after age 30. A 30-year-old could invest $2000 a year until age 60 and time for retirement. Guess who would have more money? One would think it would be the 30-year-old who invested 20 years longer. No... the person who began investing at 20 years old, at time to retire, would be much better off financially.

"That is the power of time," said Dillingham. "It is never too early to start investing. There is a big increase in parents and grandparents coming in to save for their children or grandchildren's futures."

Marilyn Dillingham hopes to continue to guide families, business owners, and farmers into making smart financial decisions for their futures. At the end of the day, she knows that she could have helped send that first generation to college, or helped a couple travel the world after retirement. That is what being with Edward Jones means to her.