My Why
I was eight years old when the 2008 recession hit. Along with other industries, new construction was heavily affected. My dad worked in new construction and was the sole provider for our family of seven, and almost overnight, our world shifted. Fresh produce was replaced by food storage staples. Extracurricular activities vanished, replaced by whatever was free.
My parents did their best to shield us, but you don't need to see a bank statement to feel the weight of a tight budget. You feel it in the quiet tension of the house and the sudden absence of anything extra. That experience planted a seed in me: I never wanted to feel that powerless again, and I didn't want other families to feel it either.
The Lesson in the Slow Lane
Years later, I was studying to be a physical therapist at Utah Valley University (UVU). Needing a break, I took a semester off to teach English in Mexico. In the slower pace of life there, I met an American woman living in a modest home with her husband. Her happiness was contagious. She didn't have the "conveniences" of American life I thought were necessary, but her kitchen was filled with beautiful fruit, fresh food, and hand-crafted tableware. She spent her money on what she loved—cooking and hospitality—and ignored everything else. This was a lightbulb moment for me. Financial success isn't about how much you have; it’s about aligning your money with what you actually value.
Closing the Gap
When I returned to UVU, I traded science labs for the School of Business. But as I attended classes on wealth management, I noticed a significant gap in the market. The industry was rightly geared toward Assets Under Management (AUM), focusing on those who have already built their wealth. I realized my true calling was in the building of a financial foundation.
I wanted to help everyday people—the young families trying their best to get by, the students attempting to avoid debt, and the people making an effort to break the cycle of generational poverty. My goal is to bridge the gap between high-level financial strategies and the foundational habits everyone needs to thrive, ensuring their long-term financial well-being down the road.