People often ask me why I entered this industry and became a financial advisor. Like many people, I initially started in a different career than where I am now. Growing up, I thought I would be an engineer. I graduated from Penn State with an Industrial Engineering degree and immediately entered the industry.
While I loved engineering, working as an engineer was a lot different than what I was expecting. As much as I enjoyed the actual work, I felt drained by the daily grind of working on one large project for an extended period of time. I was also frequently working alone and didn’t interact with many other people.
I realized it was time for me to consider a different career. I had always excelled in math and I knew I wanted to work more with people. Working in personal finance seemed like the next best step so I decided I would give it a try for at least a few months. It was the best decision I ever made, as I immediately discovered it was the right career for me.
Building My Career
For eight years, I worked with a large financial firm. Initially, I was focused on sales, helping these companies improve their bottom lines and learning how individuals and families could best manage their assets and wealth as they planned for retirement.
I loved working with clients, but I didn’t enjoy the sales aspect of the job. With a desire to move away from sales and towards helping people directly and focusing on their needs, I founded my own firm, Strong Tower Associates, in 2013.
My goal with Strong Tower Associates was to replace sales-focused tactics with comprehensive and personalized financial planning. My goal in creating my firm was to provide honest, informative, and helpful advice to individuals and families of all backgrounds, giving them workable financial plans they can execute with confidence.
My Role as a Financial Advisor
Today, I have more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry. While I work with a diverse range of clients, many of them are nearing retirement and seek an advisor to help them prepare for the next big phase of their life.
Working closely alongside them, I take a genuine, empathetic, and open-minded interest in their life because I want to see them succeed. I care about their goals and concerns and strive to provide the dependable and trustworthy service that they deserve.
Whatever their questions or needs, I bring a personal touch to the planning process in the hopes that I can help them feel more at ease and less stressed about their finances. I’m not just providing financial advice; the real benefit of my work is helping my clients pursue a life with fewer worries, more clarity, and greater financial flexibility.
The Triumphs and the Hurdles
As much as I enjoy being an advisor, there are plenty of challenges and hurdles. It can be difficult balancing my role as an advisor with my duties as a business owner. However, despite the challenges, I can’t imagine having any other career. It’s so fulfilling when I help clients work toward their goals or start their retirement with confidence. And, there’s no greater feeling than seeing clients’ faces like light when they experience a light bulb moment and say, “Now I get it!”
Regardless of the financial services I’m providing, my goal is to offer clients the confidence and freedom to pursue whatever it is that gets them excited about life.
Your Next Step
It still surprises me to this day just how many people don’t receive the appropriate amount of help and guidance to meet their goals. I’m committed to providing a level and depth of education that goes beyond what they have previously experienced. Knowing that there are so many people who can benefit from this level of education motivates me every day.
If you’ve yet to feel satisfied with your financial strategies and education, or have yet to start working with a financial professional, I encourage you to reach out to me. I’d be happy to provide you a complimentary review of your current strategies or send you one of my retirement eBooks. Get in touch by calling 814-325-9806 or emailing [email protected].
About Ash
Ash Toumayants is a financial advisor and the founder of Strong Tower Associates. For over a decade, he has helped hardworking people across Central Pennsylvania prepare for retirement. Fueled by a passion for helping people see through the veil of confusion that shrouds the financial world, his goal is to educate his clients so they can make more sound choices regarding their financial future. A Penn State graduate, he currently lives in State College with his lovely wife, Noelle, and their four adorable children. Learn more by connecting with Ash on LinkedIn or emailing [email protected].
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