Why I get up in the morning:
I’d like to say I have some great philosophical reason I get up in the morning, but the truth is it’s my cat that wakes me up. I do believe in the work hard/play hard mantra though. I was raised on the value of hard work. My family grew up on welfare and government assistance, so I had to work for everything that I have. My goal has been to help other hard-working individuals reach their financial goals and make sure their money is working just as hard for them as they worked to earn it.

How I got here:
Although I am in the world of finance now, I started out working in various roles within a lot of small companies and have a degree in Art & Design. I eventually made the transition into the role of financial advising.

I obtained my Series 7, 63 & 65, as well as my Life & Health licenses. I spent a few years doing individual financial planning before starting with AFS. My role with AFS is to provide financial education and create educational content to help people achieve their financial goals.

What I do really well:
I believe I bring a lot of creativity and innovation to everything I do. It is very easy for an industry to become stagnant and content, especially one as analytical as finance. I’m working to make sure we are constantly improving and growing our practices.

What I’m most interested in for the retirement industry today:
I am most passionate about financial education. It doesn’t matter whether you make minimum wage or six figures, you deserve financial advice. Over the years I have encountered a lot of people who are hesitant to request professional financial advice because they don’t think they make enough money. That cannot be further from the truth. Everyone deserves opportunities for financial education and planning.

Who I am really:
We’re a big board game and video game household. I even help host board game nights at some of my local breweries. I enjoy spending time with friends and family whether it’s checking out a brewery, playing games, or going to Orioles and Ravens games.