We were lucky to catch up with Jen Swindler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be to place a much stronger emphasis on financial literacy. Understanding how our financial systems work and how to maintain a healthy personal financial situation is crucial for building a fulfilling life, yet these topics are largely overlooked. This gap in education leaves many people at a disadvantage, especially when you consider the different financial challenges that can arise due to one’s background or demographics.

Personally, I had to obtain two degrees before I truly understood how to manage money effectively, how financial systems operate, and how to make sound financial decisions. I feel strongly that there is crucial information that should be more easily accessible to the general population. The lack of guidance early on felt like a huge disservice—one that forced me to take the long route to learning these life skills. I believe that if students were given a more comprehensive financial education, we could help them overcome financial challenges and create more equitable opportunities for success in both their personal and professional lives.

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.

In 2017, I was on the verge of a divorce. I was entirely financially dependent on my spouse then, but I knew that leaving the relationship was necessary for my future happiness and success. I was a struggling artist/designer and decided to make an abrupt career change. I ended up pursuing a degree in financial planning.

Over the past seven years, I’ve gained experience in several firms, obtained a few certificates, and earned a master’s in financial planning & analytics. I have started to carve out a couple of client niches – particularly divorce financial analysis & financial planning for self-employed creatives (my past experiences certainly led me to this!).

As I worked in various financial planning companies over the years, my free-spirited, feminist, artistic self never quite fit into the male-dominated, conservative, traditional industry (very much in need of diversity and new perspectives). Eventually, I decided I needed to create the space I was searching for. I started Money Illustrated in hopes that I could bring my two worlds of art and financial planning together in order to create something different — something more inclusive, progressive, innovative, and creative — that would always act in clients’ best interest, while educating them on the intricacies of their financial situations and empowering them to live their dream lives.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I grew up in an extremely frugal household where finances were not openly discussed. My upbringing led me to develop financial anxiety: worrying about every little expenditure, checking account balances multiple times a day, and not leaving less-than-ideal work situations even though I had an emergency savings account because I was still afraid of not having income. In making the decision to quit my job to start my own firm, I really had to confront these fears and realize that the scarcity mindset I had developed around money was not going to serve me long-term.

I think a lot of advisors focus so much on investment returns, while ignoring financial psychology and mindset. As I’ve worked with clients on their financial mindsets, I’ve been fascinated to learn about the many ways financial upbringing impacts future attitudes towards money. I believe that this is an often overlooked, but significant element of financial planning.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation in the market is my commitment to people, first and foremost. I focus on truly understanding my clients’ needs, being empathetic to their unique situations, and providing a judgment-free space where they feel heard and supported. I also believe in consistently delivering more value than what’s expected. I put in the time and effort to ensure that my clients not only get expert advice but also walk away feeling empowered and confident about their financial future. This combination of empathy, hard work, and exceeding expectations has been key to establishing trust and credibility.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.money-illustrated.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/money_illustrated/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferswindler/

Image Credits

Brianna Pereboom