Why I Became a Certified Financial Planner
I was six years old when my parents divorced. Mum found herself financially devastated with a daughter to raise. She had to start from scratch with very little. Her bravery at that time is a constant source of inspiration to me. She took every-last cent she had and opened a women’s clothing boutique in Broadbeach. This shop was our lifeline and her way of rebuilding our lives.
Mum knew that she needed to create financial freedom and independence for the two of us, to give us choices. She showed me the importance of taking control of your life.
I loved spending time with mum in the shop, I was a mini assistant, milkshake fetcher from the café downstairs and admirer of fine outfits. By eight years of age I also knew how to write and cash a cheque at the ANZ downstairs (milkshake money), balance a ledger and monitor the petty cash.
Being on the Gold Coast the shop was heavily reliant on tourism and therefore the overall economy, which peaks and dips. Mum thrived at times, struggled at times, but she always faced her financial responsibilities head on. I learned that ignoring money worries was simply not an option. I also learned to have total passion and commitment for what you do, and your customers are your world.
Fast forward a decade and armed with a university degree it was no surprise to Mum that I was attracted to Finance, I started working at a bank. I loved speaking to our customers about their goals, their home loans, their savings; I loved speaking to them about their lives.
Very soon, I found myself frustrated in the role as a bank teller. I remember customers going through difficult times, on the verge of losing their homes because they couldn’t work due to sickness or injury (situations which could have been avoided with income protection). Or when people needed help with their budgeting and Super, and I was not able to help them – as a bank teller I was not legally able to give personal advice.
So, I decided to change my situation and become the person who could offer sound financial advice to people who needed to hear it. People like my mum. I wanted to be the person that she could have gone to for help back when her options were limited.
Over the next decade I furthered my studies and was fortunate to work with some of the best financial planners in the country. I learned how to provide great advice, and about great products and strategies that can help clients achieve their ideal lifestyle. I developed an incredible support network of other financial professionals.
It was a natural progression for me to do what Mum did and start my own business. I knew I could break free of the old school traditional financial planning firm, and deliver a truly innovative and modern way to help people. Financial advice redesigned.
It was then that True Journey Financial Planning was founded in 2014.
I have a strong vision and a burning passion to help people, to be that person who Mum would have been able to turn to. It has been the best decision I’ve ever made.