For many fathers, it’s exciting to have a child follow in their footsteps. Often it’s more than genetics that get passed on to the next generation.

For Washington’s Rod and Jordan Cantrell, financial advising runs in the family. The father-daughter duo works at their Edward Jones office on West Main Street, and while Rod Cantrell has been in the business for about 32 years, advising wasn’t always in Jordan Cantrell’s plan.

Cantrell, 25, said she studied business and economics at Randolph-Macon College for two years, transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earning a global studies degree there.

She knew she loved working in sales, a realization solidified after selling ad space for Duke University one summer, Cantrell said.

As for working in financial advising, she said her family never pushed her into it, but upon discussing career aspirations, both father and daughter realized it was the right fit for her.

“I fell in love with people, but I was selling a one-year ad space. I felt kind of guilty because after that year, it’s done,” Cantrell said. “I want to sell something that is long-term, where I can keep this relationship going.”

She recalled her father’s words at the time: “You know that’s what I do, Jordan, right?”

After serving as a financial advisor in a St. Louis representative program, Cantrell came home and has since spent 20 months in the West Main Street office.

The decision was the right one for her.

“I think the hardest part for me was…do I really want to come back this quickly to a small town? But then I thought about it more,” she said. “I thought, I love my family so much and I love the river and just the small-town atmosphere. As long as I can afford to travel and still have flexibility to travel, I don’t mind calling this home forever.”

Rod Cantrell, 53, said he has enjoyed watching Jordan grow in the advising field. Ever since his children were little, he said he tried to teach them the value of a good investment, even if it was just a little bit of babysitting money.

“Of course, I’m exceedingly proud of her,” he said. “She’s so full of energy and questions.”

Jordan has an older brother, Seth, who works at Park Boat Co., and a younger sister, Rachel, who plans to pursue dentistry. The family also owns Fox Hollow Farm on Corsica Road.

The next step for Cantrell will be a move to her own office space on John Small Avenue with Linda Hedgepeth by June — a step she is excited and ready to take.

“I just feel very blessed to have a mother and father who have been there for me and have been a bedrock of support,” she said. “I feel very passionate that our role (as advisors) is so critical. … It’s about what’s the best thing for you, not what’s best for me.”

While she may be spreading her wings as a professional, both father and daughter said they plan to always be in contact. Cantrell said she’s looking forward to making a lifelong career out of helping her customers.

“We get so involved in our clients’ lives. I mean, they’re like family,” she said.