When people ask me where my drive comes from or how I built my career in the financial industry, I always think back to one person. My mom, Laurie. She has been the steady force in my life from the beginning. She taught me lessons long before I ever stepped into an office, picked up a phone, or sat across from a client. Those lessons were taught through actions, not speeches. Through consistency, not pressure. Through love, not expectation.
Growing up in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, life was simple but full. Sports, school, family, and the sense that people looked out for each other were all big parts of my childhood. My mom made sure of that. She showed me that success is not about where you come from. It is about how you show up. It is about the kind of person you decide to be when no one is watching. Looking back now, I realize that everything I value in my work and in my relationships came from her.
Learning Integrity the Real Way
My mom never sat me down to define integrity. Instead, she lived it in her everyday decisions. She worked hard and took pride in doing the right thing even when it was inconvenient. There were many nights when she stayed up late helping me and my brother Riley with school projects or packing things for the next day after a long shift at work. She never complained. She never cut corners. She believed that if you said you were going to do something, you followed through.
Those moments stayed with me more than any lesson I learned in a classroom. In my line of work today, integrity is everything. People trust me with their money, their retirement, their future, and their families. That kind of trust is built one honest conversation at a time. It is built by being reliable. It is built by doing what you say you will do. When I make tough decisions or face challenges, I still hear my mom’s voice reminding me to choose the honest path, even if it is the harder one.
Helping Others Is Not Optional
Another one of my mom’s biggest lessons was that helping others is not something you occasionally do. It is something you live. She was always the first person to offer a hand, whether it was a neighbor going through a rough time or a family friend who needed support. She taught me that giving does not require having a lot. It only requires a willing heart.
As I grew older, I saw how powerful that mindset really was. In my career, helping others is not just part of the job. It is the foundation of everything. Clients come to me during some of their biggest life moments. They trust me to guide them while they deal with uncertainty, fear, or excitement about the future. Being able to help someone feel confident and secure has always felt meaningful to me. I know that desire to serve others comes from watching my mom quietly take care of the people around her.
Facing Setbacks With Strength
My mom also taught me about resilience. Life was not always easy, and she had her share of hardships. What stood out to me was how she handled them. She never let setbacks define her. She never let frustration turn into bitterness. She always kept moving. She always believed that things could get better as long as you stayed focused and kept your faith.
Those lessons were crucial when I started in the financial industry. Beginning this career was tough. There were moments of doubt and days when I wondered if I was cut out for it. But I kept going because I had learned from my mom that challenges are temporary and growth comes from pushing through them. When I look back at the awards I have won and the milestones I have reached, I know they never would have happened without the example she set.
Always Being Someone Others Can Rely On
One of the things I take the most pride in is being available for my clients. I want them to know they can call me at any time. I want them to feel like they have someone who genuinely cares. That mindset comes from the way my mom showed up for me. She was there for the big things and the small moments. She was there when I failed and when I succeeded. She reminded me that reliability is one of the greatest gifts you can offer another person.
Today, I try to bring that same level of commitment to my relationships with clients, friends, and family. Being dependable is simple, but it is powerful. It builds trust. It builds respect. It builds the kind of long term relationships that really matter in life and in business.
A Source of Inspiration I Will Always Carry With Me
As I continue to grow personally and professionally, I often reflect on the influence my mom has had on my life. She is still the person I look to for guidance, even when she is not physically teaching me anything. Her lessons show up in the way I treat clients, the way I handle challenges, the goals I set for myself, and the way I try to give back to the community.
If I am remembered for anything at the end of my career, I hope it is that I helped people. I hope it is that I made a positive difference in their lives. That is what my mom taught me. That is the legacy she lives every day. And that is the legacy I want to continue through my work, my relationships, and the way I choose to show up in this world.