Why financial planning?

I've always loved numbers and I’ve always loved helping people. I was trying to find the right way to mix these two into a career and then my father passed away suddenly at the age of 63, just before he was about to retire.

This had a profound impact on me – he was so excited to start this next phase of his life and the next thing I know I’m sitting next to my mother across the table from our family’s financial planner discussing estate settlement and life insurance.

Honestly, we had no interest in dealing with any of this. We were trying to cope with what just happened so suddenly. However, I vividly remember how we felt after leaving that meeting. We were so thankful that we had someone we trusted to take care of those financial affairs during the most difficult times of our life.

This is why I love what I do – I’m able to be there for people through the good times and the bad times. I know what it feels like to have someone that understands your story, your values and your money and helps you make decisions to live the life you love.

My experience also taught me that life can be short and you want to experience your life while you can!

What is Jake like outside of work?

Why financial planning?

I learned one thing about money when I was growing up and it was that there was never enough of it. At an early age, I understood what evictions and repossessions were, probably long before I could pronounce the words correctly!

Growing up in that environment ultimately left me with a choice of two paths as I got older: fall into that same pattern and struggle financially throughout my life OR do the complete opposite.

The upside to growing up in that environment is that I learned valuable life lessons like determination, perseverance, and doing whatever had to be done to succeed. I also learned gratitude for the small things in life and compassion for those in similar situations.

Having the opportunity to help people decode, simplify, and navigate complicated financial concepts is incredibly fulfilling & sometimes even very emotional for me. Becoming a trusted partner to help our clients make smart money moves for the future, in order to live a more fulfilling life today, is a privilege, and one I never take for granted. This is not a “job” for me, it’s my calling. Sounds cliché, I know, but it’s true!

What is Marie like outside of work?

Our family is always outside and on the go, rain or shine! We’re fortunate to live in a city with endless hiking and biking trails, greenways, rivers, and lakes surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains, so we try to get out and explore as often as possible. 

We look forward to taking 2-3 trips each year to various beaches but recently started visiting some states out West. I’m most excited about someday visiting Seattle & Vancouver!

I enjoy the simple things in life like sleeping past 6 a.m., the feeling of a warm cup of coffee in my hands, watching people reunite with their loved ones in an airport, and good music that makes you want to dance!

Why financial planning?

As a couple’s therapist, money showed up a lot on my couch. Despite being married to a CFP®, I found myself coming up short when it came to helping these couples navigate their financial relationship from an emotional behavioral side. Whether it was navigating financial infidelity, estate planning differences, or disputes around financially enabling adult children, traditional therapy tools were not effective. I remember stumbling upon the Financial Therapy Association in 2019 and thinking “This is it! This is what I need for my couples…and myself.

Growing up, I was fascinated by romantic relationships. How did they work? Why do some succeed? Why do some fail? Equally, I was also intrigued by why people made the decisions they made; whether in relationships, with money, at work, etc. I would often wonder “why did they do that?” and “would they make that same decision if they knew what was behind it?”

In hindsight, I realize that this fascination was the makings of becoming a therapist. As I went through my studies, I learned that seeking to understand required more than a fascination, but a humble curiosity. My goal in working with clients is to lead with that curiosity in hopes that they will not only make new connections for themselves, but also feel seen and heard.

What is Ashley like outside of work?

Soccer mom and Cheer coach extraordinaire: Sports and extracurriculars is a big part of this season of life for me. Watching my kids play, compete, and learn life lessons that only sports can teach you is an indescribable feeling. Our weeknights and weekends are filled with games, tournaments, competitions, Starbucks, and the panic moments of “did you remember your___?” While this time with them is intense, it’s also short lived. The moment will come when I miss these days.

As a family, we love traveling and creating memories. Some of our favorite regular travel spots include Amelia Island, FL and Boone, NC (Go Apps!). Giving our kids the gift of travel experiences is very important to my husband Clayton and I.

Individually, I love gardening, dance parties (in my kitchen), singing, sitting on the beach with a drink in hand, and trying out new restaurants with Clayton.

Why financial planning?

Money was often a scarcity growing up, and I realized the power of having a financial plan very early on. Personal finance is like a different language, and not one we’re typically taught! I strongly believe that building wealth is possible for everyone, and it’s my life mission to remove the complexity around it.

I first fell in love with accounting and finance in high school, thanks to an incredible teacher of mine. My interest led me to write a 30-page business plan for a wealth management firm during my senior year and compete with it at an international competition through an organization called DECA.

Early on in college, I became fascinated with behavioral finance, which quickly developed into a passion for financial therapy and the human side of money. Not many companies at the time saw value in this realm of the industry, but I was determined to make an impact.

I continued my search for the perfect firm until I found EYW (or rather, they found me!) and I’m so honored to be serving our clients alongside a stellar team. I truly believe that what we do is helping shape a better future for the next generation!

What is Lillian like outside of work?

I aim to live (and spend!) in alignment with my three core values: Adventure, Service, and Personal Development. I love to learn, grow, and challenge myself constantly. I am an avid reader and a self-proclaimed conference junkie. If I’m not attending a CrossFit class or studying at the library, you will likely find me visiting my favorite gluten-free bakery in the valley!

I love to travel and try new experiences, but I’m also a bit of a homebody. I follow more dogs than people on Instagram, and sometimes prefer the company of my own french bulldog, Eugene Theodore, to that of the general public.

My partner, Kyle, is also a financial planner. While it’s fun to have someone to discuss the Secure Act 2.0 with in a Chick-Fil-a drive thru, we also enjoy pursuing our outside passions together – music (Kyle) and trying every item on the Dutch Bros menu (Lilly).