Lori Avant is a dedicated Financial Representative who joined the Ashford team in Little Rock, Arkansas, in October 2024. She guides her clients through a comprehensive process that empowers them to feel confident in their financial decisions. Lori chose a career in financial services because she has always been drawn to work that makes a meaningful impact on people’s lives. She has seen firsthand how complex and overwhelming financial decisions can be. Her experiences combined with a natural interest in problem-solving and helping others led her to pursue financial services. She is especially passionate about helping individuals build financial confidence, prepare for retirement, and create a solid foundation for themselves and their families.
With over 30 years of experience in leadership, entrepreneurship, and sales, Lori brings a well-rounded perspective to her work in financial services. She began her career with Merrill Lynch in Little Rock and Atlanta and later held executive roles in the natural products industry, including eight years at Nordic Naturals, where she served as Director of Sales. She has also owned and operated a small business, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs face. Despite exploring different career paths, Lori found herself drawn back to finance. In 2022, she became a licensed health and life insurance agent and began consulting with state employees to help them understand their pension plans and bridge the income gap in retirement.
Born in Louisiana, Lori spent her childhood in the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama. Most of her adult life was spent in Atlanta, Georgia, before she and her husband, Billy moved back to Arkansas where she has family.Travel is a passion of theirs, and they love exploring new places. Lori is a firm believer in the power of travel to broaden perspectives, a belief encapsulated in her favorite quote by Mark Twain: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness... Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
Lori and Billy are huge music buffs and set a goal to see as many of their favorite music artists in concert as possible. They also enjoy discovering new musicians at smaller venues. You might occasionally find her behind her husband’s Harley Davidson, taking in the beautiful sights of Arkansas.
They are avid Atlanta Falcon fans. They also root for the Arkansas Razorbacks, a team for which her father once played. She’s a proud mom to Caitlin and Chase and is proud of her special blended family, which includes Ramsey, Jackson and husband Mitch, and their sweet granddaughter, Amelia. Rounding out the crew is their giant Schnauzer, Harley
Education, Training, Memberships
2018 Erickson Certified Professional Coach
Attended Oral Roberts University and Arkansas State University - studied Finance
Lori Avant, is a Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. Ashford Mid-South LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Guardian. AR Insurance License Number - 20639727.