Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Sullivan.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I’ve always been a numbers gal, but I never thought I would be in the profession of Financial Planning. Graduating college with my master’s degree in mathematics education was what I thought I would be doing until I was ready to retire. Who would say no to a state pension, right?
Fast forward seven and a half years later, the burnout was real! I knew I had to make a change if I planned to prioritize my mental health and well-being. Surprisingly, I was not the idea maker behind starting a profession in the financial industry. A friend of mine made the suggestion and said I might enjoy it since it’s math-related and also involves educating others. With no other ideas, I decided, “What do I have to lose?”. For two months at the end of 2020, I doubled up as a teacher and a financial planner in training. From there, I fell in love with analyzing cash flow, investments, retirement planning, and everything else related to financial planning, and I never looked back. By the end of my first year, I was honored to have been voted runner-up for Mount Pleasant Magazine’s 2022 Best Financial Planner, which came right on the cusp of opening my practice, Hope Financial. In 2023 and 2024, I moved from runner-up to being voted as The Best Financial Planner by Mount Pleasant Magazine Best of Voters!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Although it hasn’t been a treacherous road, it could be smoother when trying to pave your way in a predominantly male-driven and highly saturated industry.
Despite those struggles, it creates opportunities to differentiate myself and my practice from others. Being a female in a male-driven industry has allowed me to focus on supporting and empowering women forging their path forward. Also, as an educator, I can approach financial planning from an educational stance rather than your typical “invest here and invest there because I say it’s good” mantra.
Another struggle I faced that I feel like no one talks about—because, let’s face it, everyone wants to appear to be the most successful version of themselves from start to finish—is the fact that being in this industry means you rely on finding business yourself and on referrals from current professional relationships. So, let’s be real: as someone new in the industry, I did not have people flocking to me for my advice and “expertise.” How can you have expertise when you’re new to the industry?! Although I had a lot of support from my friends and family, who believed in me and were ready to learn how I could help them, it was a constant battle I had to overcome, and still, to this day, I work very hard to overcome. I had to learn how to network, share my values with others, approach businesses, and so many other things that I never had to think about as a teacher with a set salary and no worries about where my next paycheck would come from.
As many business owners know, our livelihood comes from our ability to provide a service valued enough to be shared and recommended to others. We work hard to differentiate ourselves from others to build and grow our business and become the most successful versions of ourselves and our business. I am thankful that my struggles and obstacles have created some of my greatest strengths.
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hope Financial?
Often, people feel that their financial plan is merely a collection of products or investments they have acquired over time. Although we can assist individuals with singular and specific needs, that is not our primary goal, which sets us apart from most financial firms.
At Hope Financial, we specialize in financial planning and are focused on helping individuals and business owners solve problems with creative and innovative strategies rather than product-specific solutions. Our goal is to uncover as much value as possible throughout all aspects of someone’s financial picture, ultimately demonstrating how planning can significantly enhance their overall financial wellness.
We collaborate with individuals and business owners throughout our process to fully understand their current cash flow, tax liability, overall investment strategy, retirement goals, estate strategies, and risk exposure. We are passionate about ensuring that every relationship we build is centered around working together and empowering decisions through education and sharing our ideas and strategies.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Oh my, where to start?! So many people deserve credit for the support they have given me. Some of my first clients were friends who were near and dear to my heart, leaped, and trusted me with one of their most personal matters. If it weren’t for their belief in me, I wouldn’t have so quickly believed in my ability to make this transition happen. I have also had a few mentors, but I credit most of my learning to one of my planning partners, Delvin Joyce. He has been a constant cheerleader and supporter throughout this journey and has taught me much. I was fortunate and blessed to have been taken under his wing early in my planning career. With his guidance, I have exponentially adopted and developed a process that aligns with my goals as a financial planner and business owner. Lastly, but most importantly, I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for all of my clients, who have quickly become like an extended family to me. Their trust in me and willingness to recommend and refer me to their friends and family is invaluable. There is no amount of thanks that can adequately show my appreciation for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hopefinancialLLC.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopeFinancialLLC/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hopefinancial/
Image Credits
Stephanie Selby for headshot. Erin Rose for the action photo of me in front of the room hosting the seminar.
