As a young man growing up in Columbus, Ohio in the 1970s, I was fascinated with entrepreneurship and the process of generating wealth. I also discovered that I had an ability to communicate, which allowed me to motivate and inspire people. I was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” in my high school graduating class because of those interests and abilities.
After financing my college education at The Ohio State University over the next six and a half years, I began my career in accounting. While I met with success in this profession, it became apparent early on that accounting was not the right fit for me.
The stress of being dissatisfied with the career path of my earned degree started to manifest in other areas of my life. At age 30, the “wheels had come off” with a series of bad choices. All of a sudden, I found myself financially unstable, directionally challenged in my career, and to make matters worse, headed for a divorce. I asked myself, “How could this be?” I had been voted “Most Likely to Succeed!”
At this point, I vowed to myself that I would do whatever it takes (legally!) to make my dreams come true. I was not going to “die with an unsung song”.
I realized that one of my dreams was to own my own business before the age of 30. Even though I was struggling, I put my drive into action and opened a financial planning practice. It wasn’t easy, but by working hard and demonstrating my financial and communication skills to clients, I was able to turn my life around.
In building my business over the years, I have gone from being a sole practitioner to being one of five principals of an ensemble financial planning group. While building my practice, I was able to realize two other dreams that were part of my “unsung song.”
One of my dreams was to become a professional speaker. Through my involvement with Toastmasters International, the largest communication and leadership organization in the world, I have been able to hone my public speaking skills and rise to some of the highest levels of leadership in the organization. I have spoken to thousands around the region on a variety of topics, including public speaking, leadership, finance and inspiration and motivation. It was through my involvement with Toastmasters that I realized my second dream.
In 2004, Diana Long, a life coach and owner of the Life Design Institute, and I were breakout speakers at a Toastmasters conference. Through that chance meeting, I was introduced to the world of life coaching.
I have been coached by Diana and studied under her so I can bring life coaching to other people. I currently am a member of the Central Ohio Coaching Association which is a chartered chapter of the International Coaching Federation. Many people today refer to me as the “life advisor who specializes in money” and the “The Financial Professional’s Coach”
I am a speaker, coach and consultant who understands what you are going through, because I have been there. It is my hope that you will let me bring my perspective and ability to connect with you in your life.
How can I help you?