Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Penfield
Hi Gabriel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My mother moved to Landrum, South Carolina, in the winter of 1985, when I was five, to start a new chapter. Being from New Orleans, this was the first time I had seen snow. I got out of the back seat of a red Chevette and recall feeling at home. I grew up in the shadow of Hogback Mountain held by embrace of the foothills.
Being raised in rural South Carolina was truly a gift. Small-town community, a sense of belonging, and neighbors looking out for each other shaped me profoundly. Sunday after church there were many delightful crock pots to choose from. I remember when an uncle moved back home into the neighborhood intending to build a pond and place a trailer on a tree-covered hillside. I think I was around ten years old when I incredulously asked, “How are you going to build a pond on a hill?” My uncle, a brash military man with a Marlboro 100 stuck to the farthest edge of his lip snapped back, “You know what your problem is Gabe? You have no vision.”
At the time, I wasn’t sure how much vision a ten-year-old was supposed to have, but that summer, I sat on a tree stump and watched him bring in equipment, level the trees, build a berm, pump water from a nearby creek, and stock the pond with fish. He eventually placed his trailer on that hillside. From him, I learned what it means to have a vision—turning an idea into reality and working diligently until it comes to fruition.
I later worked at Home Depot, when it was led by Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus, where they fostered in us a strong entrepreneurial spirit. During that time, I was recruited by a coworker to join Primerica. I advanced quickly, teaching the concept of Buy Term and Invest the difference. I experienced a “failing forward” leadership philosophy and I gained access to hundreds of great leaders. From them, I was introduced to John Maxwell, and I immediately became a student of leadership and continue to this day.
While I excelled as a recruiter, I struggled with selling people products. After eight years of making “tens of dollars”. I made the difficult decision to move into financial planning as a specialty. Transitioning from an MLM to the brokerage business felt like giving candy to a baby. I was fortunate to find the right coach at the right time, who taught me that success comes from providing value, not just hard work alone. I focused on offering financial planning at no charge, which opened many doors. This approach allowed me to grow my practice every year for 22 consecutive years.
In 2015, I started an internship program for the University of South Carolina Business School students to teach financial planning, investment management, entrepreneurship, and social psychology. Since then, 137 students have completed our program. Along the way, the interns have helped launched several successful local businesses, including Tribal Coffee Company, parking Lot King, Maverick Cigars, and Poore House Furnishings.
Serving on the board of the Carmel Commons Homeowners Association gave me the opportunity to meet Libby Green, who served as the Mayor of Irmo twice in the 1970s. She suggested that I get involved in the town council. At the time, I had never considered leadership in local government—no more than I had thought about the being an astronaut. But, , I have always believed that bad things happen when good people do nothing, I felt led to live out that conviction by throwing my hat into the ring. I worked hard but I came up short in the first election. I ran again in the special election and claimed the seat with nearly %80 of the votes. Reflecting on my journey, I remember being voted “Most School Spirit” in high school, narrowly missing “Class Clown” by one vote. In hindsight, this foreshadowed my eventual role as an elected official. I love people and I love to have a good time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Business and life often feel like a balancing act—you wear so many hats and have learn to wear the ones that are a good fit. Learning to delegate can be difficult but as the quote says: “Relax: nothing’s under control!”. It can be a struggle, but as scripture reminds us: “Do not grow weary in doing good things, for in due season, you will reap a harvest if you don’t quit.” That “due season” can be a head scratcher, achieving our goals requires patience, persistence, and a great deal of perspiration.
“On the day of victory, no one is tired.”
-Proverb
Life presents challenges, especially in business, the world doesn’t just throw the doors open and roll out the red carpet for us. It can be a struggle, but hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Relational Wealth Management?
I have found Financial Planning to be a very rewarding career. Sometimes, I feel like a pilot reassuring passengers during turbulence. Other times, I feel like Chris Hansen from Dateline NBC as I protect my clients from salespeople pushing high-commission products. Serving on the council has given me the opportunity to meet some of our senators, house representatives, and our state treasurer. It has allowed me to help advocate for protections against those who prey on the vulnerable, offering a voice to those in the scope of industry charlatans. Today, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue growing my practice, to mentor future business leaders, and do my part to lead our town with a servant’s heart.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Some of the books that have inspired and informed my journey include:
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• The Cure by John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, and Bill Thrall
• The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
• How to Heal Your Relationship Without Talking About It by Patricia Love and Steven Stosny
• Psychotherapy Can Be Hazardous to Your Health by Dr. William Glasser
• No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard C. Schwartz
• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Pricing:
- free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.townofirmosc.com/government/gabriel_penfield.php
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabrielpenfieldirmotowncouncilman
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-penfield-awma%C2%AE-7985a1ba/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabrielpenfield
- Other: https://www.gabrielpenfield.com
