About Cella

Cella Quinn began her financial services career in 1972 and has been helping people realize their financial dreams ever since. Cella is deeply driven by her desire to help clients succeed - and she knows what it takes to be successful.

Cella's Success Story

Born on a small farm in Nebraska with no electricity or running water, Cella started from humble beginnings. She was born with a disabling birth defect, a cleft palate, a defect in which there is an opening or split in the roof of the mouth, and a split upper lip. Her mouth and nose were disfigured and her speech was unintelligible. She had to carry paper and a pencil to "talk" to people, and her family and school mates assumed she was stupid. Discouraged and desperate, Cella left home at age 16 in search of something better. With $44 in her pocket, she went to the bus station and asked for a ticket to the largest city for the cheapest price. The bus driver took her to Lincoln, where she stayed at the Salvation Army Shelter and served food to indigents in exchange for meals. 

Cella soon landed a job as a dishwasher at a Walgreen's lunch counter, and with little cash to spend, rented a room in a prostitute's basement. She soon learned that one of the patrons of the lunch counter was a dentist. She wrote him a note and explained that she could only afford to pay $5 a month for any dental work he could provide. He drove her to the Nebraska  Dental College where students there created the school's first artificial palate for her. At last, Cella could talk and people could understand what she said. 

With the ability to speak and be understood, Cella was able to attend business school. She worked her way through school and landed an evening secretarial job. She also waited tables during the day and cleaned offices on weekends in order to save money for further dental surgery. She paid off $3,000 in medical bills and then saved to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After 12 years, she earned a degree in journalism and political science. She became a reporter for the Lincoln Journal and the Associated Press.

After being intrigued by a magazine ad for broker trainees, she contacted Merril Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith and her career in financial services was launched. After seven years with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, & Smith, Smith Barney recruited her to join their firm, where she was quickly promoted to Sales Vice President. After a successful career at Smith Barney, Cella become an independent financial planner. 

Cella's ability to overcome the struggles she faced early in life demonstrates how determined she is to reach her goals. She uses this same determination when working with clients. Whether your goal is to build net worth, fund a child's education, or secure a comfortable retirement, when you work with Cella you know you have a financial partner who will do what it takes to help you succeed.