Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Hargis.
Hi Elle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Going back to the beginning of college the financial industry, through the mode of corporate financial management, was always interesting to me. However, at the time the math and data analytics classes that I took stole my heart. Throughout the time period of earning my college degrees, I actively participated in multiple math education programs for both peers and K-12 students in the local area. As an attendee of Belmont University, building professional connections in the world of math education and through the academic world having connections within the booming industry of data analytics, I felt unstoppable. But life often humbles you.
I met my amazing husband and quickly realized that the career development in Nashville was only one steppingstone on my career journey as a military spouse.
With short duty stations and frequent moves starting his military career, my professional life aways surrounded the world of math and numbers, and in some form education as well. As military spouses know, there were some amazing job offers that were impossible to accept due to length of time at that current duty station.
Somewhere along the line, on a couple occasions, I learned of First Command.
Initially, we joined as clients.
We were in a place where we had, to some degree, our finances under control, but we felt like there was more that we didn’t know. Other things that maybe we “should” be doing to help set us up for success in building the life we desire. My husband and I were raised in homes that self-managed their investments and financial strategies. While we love our parents and the examples they set, neither of us felt we saw drastic success that didn’t come with the cost of losing time with our parents (i.e. busy working on rental home repairs to the degree of them noticeably being homeless, watching the stock market channels for hours after a full day of work instead of being free and family focused). Neither of us wanted that atmosphere for our household, and with both of us working full time, neither of us had the brain capacity to learn to the extent we felt would have been necessary.
First Command offered us a supportive partnership to holistic financial planning. We met with a local advisor, shared our hopes, dreams, and aspirations for life, and received education on a couple financial strategies applicable to our stage of life. The meeting was complementary, and we walked away with a customized plan for our goals that balances multiple financial strategies. Another plus was the military world (benefits, acronyms, etc.) were not foreign to our advisor nor the company.
After our meeting, I could not stop sharing about the information we had learned, the support we received, and the process.
After arriving in Beaufort, and a very unpleasant experience at my workplace at the time, it was brought to my attention that I could participate in the First Command experience as a local advisor myself.
It was then that I started the process to “reach the other side of the desk”.
I went through the licensing process to now hold multiple licenses and registrations with multiple states. Now I have the privilege of having the knowledge, training, and professional team to support families in their pursuit of financial security. I am able to assist families (military, veteran, and civilian) in building their dream life through prioritizing specific strategies and assist in taking the mental burden off their plate.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As is true with anyone and anything, life changes and many curveballs can come our way. Developing the ability to adjust, adapt, and overcome has been, and still is, a process and skill.
It’s an amazing experience to be in a field where you truly exist and come alongside others in pursuit of their dreams and goals. However, it can be challenging, as I have quickly learned that it is hard to help if someone does not truly want the help, which can be a bit discouraging.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I offer holistic financial planning. That means we sit down to learn what your goals are, and address all perspectives of cash management, wealth management, and risk management to help you reach your goals. This yields each family with a 100% customized complementary plan from the advisor. Each piece of that plan is then reviewed and launched, or adapted, per your final decision. But finances often change, so it is not one and done. We continue to walk alongside you for years to come to make adjustments as life changes.
First Command’s mission, for the past 70 years, has been coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security. We service all military branches and bases across the country, and almost all advisors are either prior military, military spouses, or from military family. We make sure we are up to date on military benefits, resources, and strategies so that we can help the people who serve the country have the lives that they dream of. Additionally, all advisors with First Command are registered Fiduciaries with the SEC and FINRA- and that means we are required to act in the best interest of our clients and their needs.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Accomplishing the next thing that is in front of you, while still lining up your efforts to progress towards long term goals.
Pricing:
- Complementary Meetings
Contact Info:
- Website: https://advisor.firstcommand.com/us/sc/beaufort/sehargis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elle.hargis.financial.advisor
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-hargis-financial-advisor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/FirstCommandChannel/videos
