My fascination with how money works started at a young age and led me to pursue a career in finance. Witnessing the profound impact that financial guidance can have on people's lives solidified my decision. I realized that by assisting individuals in navigating their own financial journeys, I could make a positive difference.
During my homeschooling years in Saginaw, Michigan, my interest in investing was sparked. I vividly remember tracking stocks on a whiteboard in my bedroom, meticulously noting down prices and other data in what I fondly referred to as my 'investment book.'
Growing up in a diverse community, I learned the value of helping others through my summer job as a lifeguard. The principles I acquired in that role, such as protecting and guiding people, seamlessly carry over into my current profession. I strive to blow the whistle before someone makes a damaging financial decision and guide them toward more secure waters.
My journey toward helping others was strongly influenced by my grandparents, Bill and Esther. I fondly remember spending summers helping them at their home and in their yard. Each project was usually followed by a life lesson, such as 'A fool and his money are soon parted' or my personal favorite, 'Helping others is a primary responsibility.'
While those early years can be described as preparation for my career, I would say that my career has helped prepare me for where I am in life now. I have a beautiful wife, Megan, and an incredibly cute little girl named Esther (named after my grandmother). There are many similarities between the love, care, and effort that go into a person’s financial plan and what I experience in my roles as a husband and father. My clients would likely tell you that I am often jotting down notes about their own experiences in parenting or marriage. I like to view this as another great dividend of the work that I am blessed to be able to do.