As we prepare for our Annual Symposium, we sat down with Jesse Hurst, the CEO of Impel Wealth Management, who shares how he got into the field of wealth management and the best part of the field. Notably, he will be featured alongside Sophia Buffalini, a financial planning student from The University of Akron, in a captivating spotlight during the Symposium and a panelist on the Beyond Math and Sales Panel.

Mark your calendar for the annual Symposium slated for Thursday, February 8th, this year. We’re delighted to offer dual participation modalities, allowing attendees to join us either virtually or physically at The University of Akron’s Student Union Ballroom. For virtual attendees, the event will commence at noon and terminate at 3:30 pm ET. On-site attendees, please note that the event will begin at 11:30 am ET. Regardless of your chosen attendance mode, expect to immerse in a lively event that showcases a diverse range of talents and potentials in the fast-paced wealth management industry. Don’t miss out on this complimentary event – register today!

How did you get into the wealth management industry? What first attracted you to the space, and why have you stayed?

During my last two years of college at the University of Akron, I worked as a bank teller at Huntington Bank in Kent. I had the opportunity to apply for an entry-level financial planning position, and when I was asked why I was interested in this job, I answered, “I thought if I could have a career helping people solve their financial problems and concerns, that it would be rewarding for both my clients and for me.” They must have liked the answer because they took a chance on me, and I have been in the field since the fall of 1987, more than 36 years ago.

Did you consider entering the wealth management industry when you were a student? Why or why not?

I always had an interest in money, banking, and investments. This is probably partly because I came from a family with very little in the way of financial resources. As young as I can remember, I had to mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel snow, or wash cars to have any money to do things I was interested in. At 11 years old, I took a job as a paperboy for the Akron Beacon Journal, which was then an after-school newspaper. You bought your papers from the publisher, delivered them to your clients, and collected from them weekly. The difference between what you collected and what you paid for the newspaper was your profit. I learned that if I provided better customer service and got more tips, I made more money. This taught me how to run a business at a very young age.

What has been your favorite part of working in the field so far?

The ability to get to know your clients, their long-term goals, and the meaning and purpose of money in their lives Is unique to our industry. Helping them use their income and asset resources to accumulate wealth and accomplish what is important in life is extremely rewarding. Having worked with clients for 20 or 30 years, you get to know them on an individual level. Watching them accomplish major milestones, such as educating their kids or grandkids, successfully transitioning from work life to retirement life, or fulfilling their philanthropic goals, brings a level of personal and professional satisfaction that I could not imagine obtaining in another career field.

What are some of the biggest misconceptions about financial planning?

Some people think that financial planning is very restrictive and requires much discipline. I disagree. I think that once you know what you need to save and invest to help reach your unique financial goals, and you set that money aside on a systematic basis, you then have the freedom to use the rest of it to pursue your current quality of life and things that bring you joy and happiness. This is a great and worthwhile outcome that is the result of the financial planning process.

What impact do you hope organizations like Diversitas will have on the wealth management industry in the coming years?

I hope that Diversitas opens the door to a new generation of students who want to pursue a career path in the financial planning field. I believe that the process of scholarship, mentorship, and internship will give people a lens to see the various career paths available. I also hope that we can attract a diverse group of people who will look more like the people being served in the future.

Secure your free spot at your 2024 Symposium now, and learn more about why Diversitas is making a difference by reading Sam Calhoun’s Q&A.