We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria McSwain. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.

Alright, Maria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Sometimes the biggest investment you’ll ever make is in yourself.

A few years ago, I was standing in my elementary classroom surrounded by colorful bulletin boards and the joyful noise of my students. Teaching was more than my career, it was part of who I was. I loved helping children discover their potential and watching their confidence grow.

But when I became a mom, my priorities shifted. I made the decision to step away from the classroom to stay home with my girls, a choice that felt both right and terrifying. Those years were full of precious moments and reflection. I loved being fully present for them, yet I also felt a quiet stirring that I couldn’t ignore.

As a newly single mom, that desire to show strength and courage became even more important. I wanted to build something that would not only provide for us, but also demonstrate what’s possible when you take a leap of faith.

I wanted my girls to see that their mom could rebuild, reinvent, and rise, not in spite of challenges, but because of them.

That’s when I discovered financial planning. I didn’t come from a finance background, but the more I learned, the more I realized how naturally it aligned with my heart as a teacher. At its core, financial planning is education, it’s about empowering people with knowledge so they can make confident, values-based decisions about their money.

When I joined Consolidated Planning, I found a firm that shared my values, one that believed in building not just wealth, but purpose and peace of mind. Starting my own business has been one of the hardest and most rewarding journeys of my life. There were late nights, steep learning curves, and moments of doubt. But every time I helped a family feel more secure and confident in their financial future, I was reminded why I started.

I didn’t leave education, I simply found a new way to keep teaching.

Today, I work with women and families who want to take control of their financial story, aligning their money with their faith, their goals, and their values. My classroom looks different now, but my mission remains the same: to teach, to empower, and to make a difference.

Looking back, leaving education and stepping into finance wasn’t just a career change, it was a leap of faith that changed everything. It taught me that the most meaningful investments aren’t financial at all, they’re the ones we make in our own growth, purpose, and belief in what’s possible.

Maria, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a Financial Representative with Consolidated Planning in Charlotte, I specialize in helping women and families create clarity and confidence around their finances. My path into this industry wasn’t traditional. I began my career as an elementary school teacher, later became a stay-at-home mom, and eventually took a leap of faith to start my own financial planning business.

That transition came from a desire to continue teaching, just in a new way. I realized that financial planning is really about education, helping people understand how to protect what they’ve built, grow their wealth intentionally, and make sure their money aligns with their faith, values, and goals.

I work with clients who want more than just numbers on a spreadsheet; they want a plan that feels personal, purposeful, and sustainable. Whether it’s a mom building stability for her children, a couple planning for the future, or a family wanting to protect what they have built, my goal is to help them move from uncertainty to confidence.

What sets me apart is my background as an educator and my heart for service. I take the time to explain, empower, and ensure my clients truly understand their options, because financial planning should feel approachable, not intimidating.

I’m most proud of the fact that I built this business as a single mom, balancing work and motherhood while building a life that reflects resilience and faith. Every client I meet reminds me why I took this leap, to help others feel secure, supported, and capable of building the life they’re called to live.

At the heart of my work is a simple belief: you don’t have to have it all figured out, you just have to take the next right step. My job is to walk alongside my clients as they take that step, one plan at a time.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been referrals and relationships, especially through networking groups, family, and friends. I’ve found that the most meaningful connections often come from genuine conversations and shared values.

Many of my clients were introduced through networking groups or community circles where people truly support one another’s growth. Those relationships tend to be the strongest because there’s already a foundation of trust.

I’ve also been blessed to have incredible support from family and friends who’ve shared my name with people they care about. Each referral feels like the highest compliment, it means someone believes not just in what I do, but in how I do it.

For me, business has always been about connection first. When you focus on helping people and building authentic relationships, the right clients naturally follow.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I’ve found that being genuine and putting my clients’ needs first is what really builds a reputation. When you focus on what’s right for them, not what’s easiest for you, trust naturally grows, and referrals follow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cplanning.com/maria-mcswain/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/Maria-Mcswain