Skip to main content

Advisor Perspective: How Did I Get Here?


I often get asked how I became a Financial Advisor. I have always had an analytical mind. As a child I loved to take things apart, put them back together again, and see how they worked. Math was always my favorite subject in school and one that I excelled in. After growing up in East Liverpool, Ohio, a small Appalachian town on the Ohio River, I decided to attend The Ohio State University to major in Computer Engineering. The coursework at Ohio State challenged me and forced me to think logically, creatively, and rationally. I had to become very good at planning my schedule and at multitasking because my courses were incredibly demanding. Upon graduation, I took a job in my major in Cincinnati, Ohio. While I enjoyed my time in Cincinnati and the field of computer engineering, I quickly realized that my calling was not sitting in a cubicle all day!

As a young, newly married man, I sat down with my wife and talked about what I’d like to do instead. I told her that I wanted to help people in some way. I wanted to use my people skills and strengths in math, number crunching, goal setting, and critical thinking in my next career role.

Our conversation led me to the idea of a new path and a different career but one that would enable me to use the skills that I fostered as a computer engineer. I was lucky enough to have a great mentor and role model that helped me realize my potential path as a Financial Advisor. I studied for and passed the necessary tests to become a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial in 2004. This was the best decision I could possibly have made for my future.

I am incredibly lucky to be able to say that I love my job and mean it. I enjoy the interactions that I have with my clients each day. I enjoy celebrating life’s milestones with them, helping plan for their futures, and being there for them during the inevitable hard times that we all may face. We share stories of our families, travel adventures, laughs, and sometimes tears. This has made me realize my clients are more than just clients. They truly can become friends.

I believe my role as your advisor is to understand the complexities of the world, to help you feel more confident, to support your success, to help you write the next chapter of your story, and to help bring your dreams to life. Things like 401ks, Social Security, and estate planning can be overwhelming, cumbersome, and even scary. I get that and as your advisor, believe it is my job to take these intricate issues and help simplify them for you. If we work together, your job is to ask questions and ultimately make decisions, but it is my job to make sure you feel fully equipped to do so.

Though the stock market has its ups and downs, my loyalty to my clients and my dedication to do the very best job that I can each day is unwavering. I’m grateful that I chose this career path and am appreciative for each client who chooses to trust me to help them on their financial journey. It is not a responsibility that I take lightly and that is why I am here.

Together, we can work to keep you on-track towards your financial goals. Request a consultation with me to learn more.
 

Read more articles by Brian Hamilton