My Story

I’ll never forget the feeling I had while sitting alone at my dining room table the evening I decided to launch my own business. I had been unhappy at my job for months and was finally facing down the “either/or decision.” Either I stay, or I go. I was being pushed to partner with somebody I wasn’t a fan of and facing the prospect of what my career would look like by choosing to stay with the firm. My stomach was in knots, my mind was racing, and I was hovering somewhere between excitement and anxiety-inducing fear.

Even as a financial planner, I was nervous to start a business. Though I had done a massive amount of research, I had resisted for years and consistently pointed to our finances as a reason to not take the risk. “What’s the worst that could happen?” friends would ask. “The worst?” I’d answer, “Let me tell you about the worst. The worst is taking the leap, finding out I don’t know what I’m doing, having other people discover I don’t know what I’m doing, ruining my reputation, running out of money, going into debt, and ending up unemployable. That’s the worst.” 

This narrative was strong that evening. 

It wasn’t until I brought in my husband for an hours-long exchange that went late into the night that a more rational line of thinking was laid out. Sitting at our dining room table, I realized that despite my fears, I was bringing a lot to the table: a decade of industry experience, a degree specifically in Financial Services, my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™designation, a bulked up savings account, a creative eye, and the fact that if my business flopped, I was still very much employable.

I took the leap. As it turned out, I did know what I was doing.

My company launched as one of the first virtual financial planning firms in the country, influencing change in the industry and sparking conversation about making financial planning accessible to underserved populations. We merged with Abacus after six successful years.

How I’m expanding what’s possible with money

I strive to make money relatable, which breaks down emotional barriers and helps people to see what’s possible in their lives. I’m the co-creator and co-host of the financial education podcast, If Money Were Easy and author of Work Your Wealth: 9 Steps to Making Smarter Choices With Your Money.

I’ve been featured as a financial expert on major media outlets such as NBC, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour, NPR, The New York Times, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, CNBC, Forbes, and more.

I’m proud to have been named to the “Top 40 Under 40” by Investment News, “10 Young Advisors to Watch” by Financial Advisor Magazine, and named a Top Ten Most Influential Advisor by Investopedia – a list that celebrates financial advisors making significant contributions to critical conversations about financial literacy, investing strategies, life-stage planning, and wealth management.

Outside of work, my passions include

Reading, travel, taking any Peloton class I can find that is led by Robin or Tunde, baking food ranging from breads to apple pies, experiencing all that San Diego has to offer, and spending time with my favorite people in the world: a 5 and 8-year-old who are constantly demanding snacks and one very supportive husband.