We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andre Gould a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Andre, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you ever seen (or implemented) a really awesome way to show a client you appreciate them.

The best thing I have ever done for a client is to be honest with them about one of the most important things to them, which is their journey towards financial independence. I treat my clients like they are family, which means I am very protective of them. I’m naturally a protective person, but when it comes to my family and my clients, I can be particular about making sure their best interest is always at the forefront.

I believe it is imperative for someone in my line of work to always consider how the advice and guidance I provide clients support their goals and also has an educational component, so they understand how everything fits. How does my risk management portfolio support my ability to retire one day? How does the type of retirement account I have impact the taxes I pay now and later, and are there ways for me to have agency over them? How does my employer-sponsored plan work and am I taking full advantage of what it has to offer? Helping clients address these kinds of questions are all predicated on being honest with my client, even when it’s not what they want to hear.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always had a passion for helping people pursue financial security. I began my journey in risk management, and I saw many instances when people were not prepared for something unexpected to happen. This lack of preparation at times resulted in a major financial set-back, some that people couldn’t recover from. It was always heartbreaking when people thought they understood their financial situation, only to find out that they really hadn’t considered the full scope of opportunities or vulnerabilities.

My business takes a comprehensive financial approach because I believe it is critical to understand how to gain assets as well as protect them. A holistic view allows me to help position clients to weather most any storm as well as have flexibility in the future as their circumstances may change.

I am most proud of the way I work, which is to deeply assess a client’s current situation from all aspects, take the time to explain and educate them on their risks and opportunities, and to provide them with practical steps to get themselves in a more secure place. I work with people at all income levels, and I can find practical next steps for almost anyone. I believe that financial success should be an option for everyone.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As a young adult I read the book The Millionaire Next Door by Dr. Thomas Stanley & Dr. William Danko. This book really opened my eyes to the reality that millionaires are often everyday people who have made careful and sound choices to grow and protect their net worth over time. I learned there was a big difference between making a great income and growing wealth. There are a number of people out there who earn a great income, but they live paycheck to paycheck, they set their family up to expect to live above their means, and they are not prepared to weather a tragedy or unexpected emergency. I also learned that millionaire status is attainable with the right strategy, plans, and discipline.

For someone like me, who grew up in a family with very limited resources and for whom finances were always a point of contention, this was new information. Additionally, this book helped me view wealth in terms of financial security rather than merely earning a high wage.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Image Credits
Couch and family photo taken by Jen Fariello