If you're reading this for an inspirational childhood tale or a once in a million NY Times Best Seller story, you are probably in the wrong place. My childhood was likely very common to several people who grew up in the central Kentucky area. I grew up in the small town of Bardstown, KY where I spent time outdoors, hung with friends, and of course cheered on the Kentucky Wildcats (Go Big Blue). I never went without as a kid but I also knew that I would have to put myself through college. Through academics (because being 5' 10" isn't a good recipe for playing in Rupp arena), I was able to graduate high school to receive a full tuition scholarship to Western Kentucky University.
At WKU, between the fun and being away from home, after freshmen year it was time to search for my purpose of being there. As fate would have it, I found it in my Personal Finance 101 class the following semester. This was a class that was actually applicable to my life & my family's lives (unlike music appreciation that is still to this day one of the hardest classes I ever took, sad but true).
My interest in finance led me on a journey through college in Western Kentucky's CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ program. There I took coursework on retirement planning, investment management, tax planning, estate planning, college planning, and insurance planning. WKU had one of only about 300 programs in the nation with this program specifically geared towards helping groom financial planners & advisors.
I was fortunate enough to work hard through that program to be accepted by TD Ameritrade at their closing bell ceremony on July 21, 2014 (you can see me pictured all the way in the back). This was a special honor for myself and my dad where we got to tour the New York Stock Exchange and explore Wall Street in NYC. Two guys from Bardstown, KY on Wall Street was a sight to behold but it is a memory we will both always cherish.
In 2015, I graduated from Western Kentucky University with a 4.0 GPA and was off to find my next purpose.
Upon graduating, I decided to move back to my hometown of Bardstown, KY to pursue a career in financial planning. Although I had interned at a financial firm through college, I still wanted to work in the business before opening up shop to help my own clients. I worked at local firm as an administrative assistance to learn the paperwork side of the business and then began taking my own clients in April 2016. As I started to grow my business at this local firm, another major decision was coming for me.
Through mutual friends in college, I met my now wife Page. In the summer of 2017, I convinced her to marry me and the rest is history as they say. She has been my support as I've grown my business and I couldn't thank her enough. Page, our daughter Landyn and our two dogs, Lila & Lucy, make up our little family of five!
Shortly, after my marriage I looked to take the next step in my career by pursuing the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification. This credential was important to signify my expertise in my profession as well as to continue to educate myself to serve my clients. In March of 2019, I passed the final test of the designation to become a CFP® professional. Although it may only be three letters after my name, I am proud of the work, study, and effort it took to get there.
After many successful years at the local firm in Bardstown, I felt my purpose change in 2020. I decided in February of 2020 to take my current clients and future ones to create a financial advising firm called Portman Wealth Management. Here is where I've found my purpose in using my knowledge and experiences to assist clients towards meeting their financial goals.
I've been so thankful for my journey up to this point and have found so much joy in helping my clients achieve their goals. I look forward to continuing to use my education, expertise, and personality to impact the lives of my current and future clients.
If you would like to learn more about how I may be a good financial advisor/planner for you, click the Contact Us button below.
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