Financial Planning

Back in the early 1990s, I was going through a divorce. I’d lost everything and was starting all over again. I had two little girls and I needed help. So the first person in what I like to call my “circle of support” was my mom. She’d help me watch the girls when I needed to work or help me take them to the doctor. She was critical to helping me get everything up and running with my businesses. Every time I put my circle of support together, I ask myself: “For me to be successful, who is always there helping me out? Who is the backbone for everything that I do?”

I’m a stress eater. And as an entrepreneur who runs multiple business channels, there’s never a shortage of stress.

If you have ever gained weight in your life, you know the feeling when you realize it’s gone too far. You feel heavy, your clothes feel too tight, you feel tired and sluggish—even a little sick. I was feeling this way not too long ago. I decided it was time to make some changes for my health, but I needed to face the truth first.

When I first meet a new client, they often expect me to start with the numbers. I hear questions about savings, investments, and retirement. But here’s the truth: the math doesn’t matter until the mindset does.

When I first entered the financial planning industry in 1986, many people would tell me: “When I have money, I’ll come see you.” But here’s the truth — waiting until you feel financially secure to seek guidance is like waiting until you’re healthy to go see a doctor. It doesn’t make sense. Our community deserves better than advice tied to products or sales. We deserve guidance that honors our values — our families, our faith, and our culture.