Fifteen years ago, I had a different plan.
I thought I was going to be an attorney.
Specifically, an estate planning attorney like my great uncle. The one my grandfather said I looked just like. That stuck with me.
I had the grades. I was studying finance. I played college baseball. I had about 90 percent of what I needed to get into law school.
The only thing I lacked was real-world experience. So, I took an internship at a financial planning firm. I figured it would look good on a law school application and help me stand out. I didn’t expect much else from it.
But that internship changed everything.
I got to sit in on client meetings and watch experienced advisors do their thing. They asked smart questions. They listened closely. They didn’t just give people answers. They helped them find clarity.
It wasn’t about products or charts. It was about helping people figure out what really mattered and how to protect it. It was about their families, their businesses, and the legacy they wanted to leave behind.
That hit me hard.
I realized I didn’t want to deal with estates after someone passed away. I wanted to help them design their plan while they were still around to shape it.
That one internship flipped my whole plan.
I didn’t apply to law school. I leaned all the way into financial planning instead.
At the time, it felt like a pivot. Now, I see it as a defining moment. It took me down a completely different path, one that felt more personal, more meaningful, and honestly, more like me.
Today, I work with business owners and families who care deeply about what their money means and where it’s going. They’re not just trying to grow wealth. They’re trying to use it with intention.
I’ve helped people prepare for big transitions. Selling a business. Leaving a job. Passing on wealth to kids and grandkids. In those moments, money is only part of the equation. What people really want is peace of mind and confidence that they’re doing it right.
That’s what I get to help with.
And that’s what makes this work so rewarding. I get to sit across from real people and help them make decisions that impact their lives. Not just on paper, but in how they live, give, and grow.
I look back now and smile.
That internship I took just to check a box for law school ended up showing me what I really wanted. It helped me find a profession where I feel like I can make a real difference.
Don’t get me wrong, estate attorneys are vital and make a huge difference.
But, I wasn’t supposed to be a financial advisor.
But I’m grateful every day that I am.