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!