Right after my divorce, I went to visit the financial advisor for my then-employer. I had two teenagers and my ex-husband lived on the other side of the country. I was frazzled and exhausted but felt I was doing something that would help steer me in the right direction.

In that quick 20-minute appointment, the advisor recommended strategies to help me get to retirement. At that point in my life, I felt quite trapped and was unable to commit to any large financial changes. After I told the advisor exactly that, he blurted out, “Well you’ll never be able to retire then.” I left feeling hopeless and never went back.

When I accepted my calling to Edward Jones to help my clients plan, organize and prioritize for their financial futures, I vowed to never treat anyone that way. You see, what I knew – something he did not take the time to understand – was that period of my life was really short in the grand scheme. I had faith, along with the ability and tenacity, to change my circumstances.

Whether you are young and just starting out, or retired and trying to preserve all you have worked for, or anywhere in between, there is hope. My vow is to listen and to know you to understand what is truly important to you. The strategies we devise together will be based on your current circumstances in order to help put you on the path towards your goals. As those circumstances change for you, so will our strategies.

That other advisor probably never gave that visit with me a second thought; however, the lesson he taught me has stuck. My goal is to never leave someone without hope.