I’m Here for A Reason:
Navigating the world of money can be a difficult land to traverse, especially for those who prioritize their inner values and social consciousness. It can seem like a harsh and unforgiving world, leaving the unprepared feeling overwhelmed. Having spent over half my life in this realm, I understand it well. Despite its challenges, I firmly believe that there is much good to be gained from making wise use of our wealth. I am eager to share my experience and empower my community to use their resources for the betterment of our world.
My Journey Into Power
I grew up in a middle-class home that had a good deal of love, and a lot of dysfunction around money. I became self-reliant early on, shoveling driveways, delivering newspapers, and mowing lawns. By 15 I had my own lawn and garden business. In college and after I had a remodeling business designing and installing kitchens and baths. One of my clients offered me a job in office equipment sales and I was ready for a change, so I cut my hair, shaved off my beard, bought the Brooks Brothers suit and jumped into sales. After 6 years I went looking for bigger and better. I started as a cold calling broker with Shearson American Express in the fall of 1986.
At that time, the big brokerage houses evaluated performance based on “production” – the amount of money you made for the firm – rather than the actual benefit provided to the clients. As someone who has always prioritized the needs and interests of my clients, I felt like a round peg in a square hole. To me, true success in this industry is not about generating profits for the firm but about making a meaningful impact on my clients’ lives. While I understand and acknowledge the realities of the money industry, I am committed to putting my clients’ best interests first.
With a sense of disappointment from the corporate world, I left Wall Street behind and sought refuge in a small but rapidly expanding independent broker dealer, and what a difference it made! As soon as I became independent, I felt liberated and empowered to bring my whole heart and soul to my work – assisting people in growing their savings and securing their future to the best of my ability.
Alongside my work as a financial advisor, I have also been committed to my personal spiritual practices and community involvement. These practices have been a source of strength and resilience for me, helping me maintain a sense of objectivity and perspective in both my personal and professional life. I am currently in the process of becoming a spiritual director through the Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute so that I may further support those seeking inner peace and purpose in a turbulent world.
Aligning Being With Doing
Gardening is a passion of mine. A good garden needs to start with a good plan. What does your landscape offer you? What tools do you have at hand? What do you want to grow: fruits, vegetables, flowers, all of the above? Maybe you want to host plants that feed bees and butterflies. Once planned then it’s a matter of tending, weeding, replanting when needed. We plan the work then work the plan.
Your financial life can be looked at as a garden of sorts. You can grow great goodness with your wealth garden, both taking care of your immediate concerns and creating a bounty for you and your loved ones.
Whole Wealth management is a matter of deep discovery: who are you, what do you want to accomplish, what tools do you have in your shed, and what other tools are available to help you reach your goals. We start with a good plan based on lifestyle needs and wants. This leads to a personalized investment model, with ongoing monitoring and adjustments as needed. We add the management of expectations and emotions, all to help you get a good harvest and to leave a lasting legacy.
Who I serve and why
As a Whole Wealth Advisor, I am honored to serve the Cultural Creatives of our community, who I refer to as “my tribe.” This community is made up of individuals who share values of inner development, social justice, and care for the natural world, as outlined in Paul H. Ray and Shirley R. Anderson’s book, The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing The World. It transcends the boundaries of political labels and is united in the vision of a world where peace and prosperity are attainable for all. I am committed to empowering my tribe by championing the wise use of wealth, educational initiatives, and women’s rights, in the hope that we can foster a brighter future for all.