We were lucky to catch up with Ekua Anyanful recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ekua, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

As a minority female financial planner and investment adviser that run my own practice, paving a way, being a role model and leaving a legacy is important to me on so many levels. I would like to be known for my integrity as a business owner, my pro bono work in my community, giving back and mentoring young women. By so doing I abide by a code of ethics that requires me to act with honesty, integrity, competence, diligence and exercise due care. Adhering to this code of ethics, ground me and ensure consistency in delivery of my professional services and reflects in my personal life as well.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EA Wealth Management, LLC, I have over 20 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management strategies. I am a Certified Financial Planner and Investment Adviser representative and prior to my current role, I was affiliated with American Express Financial Advisors, JPMorgan Chase, and Smith Barney. I hold several securities licenses including Series 7, 66 and 24 as well as an Insurance License and my company focuses on Financial Planning, Investment Management, Retirement Planning and Risk Management for Women Business Owners. EA Wealth Management is 100% woman owned company that focuses on Women-own businesses since I identify with them and can provide solutions for their company’s financial health. Equally important is the pro bono education and financial planning analysis that my company offers for women and business owners who need financial planning services but have limited resources.

What sets EA Wealth Management apart from other firms is our client-centric process focused on pursuing specific milestones we create together. Our comprehensive, three-step planning process is designed to help identify your needs, implement a strategy tailored for your needs and monitor it regularly to help you stay on course.
1. Assessing Your Needs and Finances – We begin by asking you to complete a confidential personal profile that helps us gain a deep understanding of your current financial situation.
2. Preparing Your Plan – We provide a detailed analysis of your finances, develop a variety of customized strategies, then offer suitable recommendations to address your future needs.
3. Implementing and Monitoring Your Strategy – Once, we select the most suitable approach. We put your personalized plan into action. We then maintain consistent communication with you, carefully monitoring your goals and financial plan and making adjustments when necessary.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After working as an employee, I did some research and found out that I can practice as an independent Financial Adviser, so I chose to go independent in 2007. 2007 was actually the worst time to transition as an independent adviser and my wonderful debut turned into a struggle for my business.

Then in 2009, I was approached by a business partner and friend to start a partnership in a Registered Investment Advisory firm. (RIA). A managing partner in a firm, will still give me the independence that I seek, yet provide the support from other knowledgeable advisers. Unfortunately, dissension started brewing within the partners and the once exciting opportunity turned into a nightmare of proving myself and working in a toxic environment. Once again, I found myself having to leave a company and starting all over again. However, this time the difference is that I have experience of running a business and managing others since I was also the COO of the firm as well. So, I started EA Wealth Management in 2011.

It is difficult to be a black woman running your practice in a male and white-dominated industry. Statistically, you acquire less assets than your male and white counterpart even though you are as experienced and educated as them; and, in some cases, more than them. However, I did not use that as an excuse or let that deter me. I chose to work harder, with integrity and worked on building trust. Now my own company, my rules and I am committed to running my own private practice and I am proud and excited to know that the company that bears my name has survived and is thriving.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

We start our relationships with a financial plan. Why? The financial plan is a collaborative process with the client, and it integrates relevant elements of the client’s personal, business and financial circumstances. Based on the analysis we can focus on providing, objective advice and by so doing it builds trust and integrity with our clients.

Guiding clients in creating wealth and investment management strategies help them reach financial independence . This provides a trickling down effect that pass on to their families and strengthen their businesses by building a strong financial foundation. We are also a sounding board for all of our client’s family members, friends and colleagues and we encourage them to let them know that they do not need to be clients to take advantage of our expertise.

To be fair in my business means acting in the client’s best interest; treating everyone with the same utmost respective and services that match their financial planning needs.

We believe these have contributed to our company’s reputation in our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eawealthmanagement.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eawealthmanagement
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekuaanyanful/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EkuaAnyanful